News from the missions

Twelve enter Philippine novitiate: Fr. Francis Pupkowski of the Philippine District sent an email last week with a photo of the district’s new novitiate class.  Twelve novices –– seven from India and five from the Philippines –– began their 14-month novitiate on March 25. Fr. Benedito Machado, district superior, accepted the new class on the Feast of the Annunciation.

The Philippine District has hosted novices from throughout Asia, including Vietnam. Fr. Martin van Ooij, former superior of the Indian District, will soon join the novitiate formation team in the Philippines.

The U.S. Province has had a long history with the Philippines.  In the late 1980s, the province hosted the first group of missionaries as they learned English in Sacred Heart School of Theology’s ESL program and prepared for the new SCJ venture.  The province continues to host SCJs headed to the district.  As noted last week, two SCJs from Brazil are currently studying ESL in preparation for ministry in the Philippines.

Several American SCJs have also gone to the district for short-term ministry, often working with students on their English skills and teaching the young SCJs some of the history of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.  Fr. Bernie Rosinski leaves for the Philippines this month to spend time with the Philippine formation community.

Retreat in India: Fr. Tom Fix, an American SCJ who serves in Indonesia and India, emailed with news of a recent district retreat in which he took part:

“The retreat was at a Jesuit retreat house called, ‘Inspiration.’ I was amazed at all the fruit trees on the property including sapota [a tropical fruit], mango, coconut and banana.   I thought that this must have been what California missions looked like some two centuries ago.  On the same grounds were several day schools, colleges, and centers where courses in spirituality, leadership and retreat work took place.  One of the Jesuits’ seven novitiates in India is also on the property.  They currently have 27 novices in a two-year cycle.

“Fr. John van den Hengel of the general council led the retreat, which was attended by 26 Indian SCJs and this lone ‘gringo.’  Fr. John had us explore Fr. Dehon’s faith experience, how he wed the active and contemplative aspects of Sacred Heart devotion making it more of an all-encompassing spirituality. We touched on Fr. Ornelas’s recent letter commemorating Fr. Dehon’s anniversary of birth and reflected on the cultural and spiritual metamorphosis that Fr.Dehon went through, along with the congregation.

“At the end of the six days Fr. John received the vow renewals of 18 temporarily professed SCJs…

“Be sure to say ‘hi’ to everyone back home!  Good luck to Fr. Tom’s Brewers on opening day.”

Two down, one to go

Recently Fr. Quang Nguyen passed the second of the three tests required for him to move forward in his doctoral studies in economics.  After taking the third exam in July, he can submit his proposal for his thesis and begin research.

When Fr. Quang was a student in theology he never gave thought to studying economics.  “But when I was ministering in Houston, I started to have questions,” he said.  “So many social justice concerns are tied to economics, they go hand in hand.  I wanted to get a better understanding of economics so that I could understand social concerns in a wider context.”

He took several classes at St. Thomas University in Houston including macro and micro-economics.  The classes did give him a better understanding of the subject, but also gave him many more questions.

“So I asked for permission to do further studies,” said Fr. Quang.  In December, 2006, he earned a master’s degree in economics from Fordham University in New York.  His focus was on neo-classical economics.  He is now doing his doctoral work at Claremont Graduate University in Claremont, Calif.  Much of the past year has been spent in the classroom but after the July exam he will focus on research.

How does a doctorate in economics fit into his vocation as an SCJ?

“The quick answer is that economics affects all facets of our life,” he said. “Thus, having a better understanding of economics will enable us to live more justly and peacefully.  Is this not what an SCJ is all about?”

He gave the example of the need for a just wage for workers.  “We need to take into consideration various aspects from both demand –– employers’ –– and supply –– employees’ –– sides of the economic equation,” he said.  “Instead of creating an adversarial relationship with business you need to speak from wider economic picture.”

Fr. Quang continued, talking about the work of today’s missionary.  “A missionary goes to a country not just to build churches,” he said, “but moreover to bring the love and mercy of God.  We bring social justice through our teaching and example. A better knowledge of economics expands the horizon of our ministry.  It is a practical way to better people’s lives.”

Fr. Quang said that he looks at the example of Fr. Leo John Dehon, who worked with the business leaders of France to bring about social justice for workers.

“A knowledge of economics gives us the tools needed to speak to these issues, to bring theology and our SCJ spirituality to the marketplace and society as a whole,” said Fr. Quang.

Upcoming ordinations

During the March 29-30 council meeting Dn. Duy Nguyen was approved for ordination to the priesthood.  Bishop Joseph Potocnak will ordain Dn. Duy on June 11 at Sacred Heart Monastery.  Invitations will go out to SCJs in the next few weeks.

For those going to San Antonio for the May 21 priesthood ordination of Dn. Greg Schill, he suggests staying at the Drury Inn near La Cantera. “La Cantera is a huge shopping mall with many stores and restaurants,” said Dn. Greg.  “The hotel is also located close to Six Flags theme park and only about 15 minutes from Our Lady of Guadalupe, the church where the ordination will take place.” The address for the Drury Inn is 15806 I-10 West San Antonio, TX 78249 at the corner of I-10 and 1604. The direct number is 1-210-696-0800.

Please remember to RSVP for the ordination by April 28.

Keep in prayer

Br. Frank Presto, provincial secretary, is at the Mayo Clinic this week. He is to undergo surgery on Tuesday, April 5, to address structural issues in the facial area where he had been treated for cancer several years ago.  If all goes as planned, he will be back in the office on April 11.

Please remember

Connie Lettiere, the sister of Br. Pete Mankins, died last week.  She had moved into hospice care shortly before her death.

Martin Parent, the nephew of Fr. Claude Bédard, was found dead in his house last week.  It is thought that he had a heart attack.  He was in his late 40s.

Viet Van Nguyen, the great-uncle of Br. Long Nguyen, died last week in Biloxi, Miss.  He was 85.

Provincial’s time

Today is the REAL start of spring for Fr. Tom Cassidy.  He is at opening day for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team. April 7-9 he will be out of town for Fr. Mark Mastin’s graduation from basic training (Fr. Mark is preparing to become a chaplain with the US Army).  The week of April 11 Fr. Tom will be in South Dakota for C-POSH board meetings.  April 18 – May 5 he will be in Rome for CMSM meetings.

Upcoming meetings and events:

May 1: Easter Concert, 2 p.m. (SHST)
May 9-11: Provincial Council meeting (budgets)
May 17 & 19: Masses for the anointing of the sick, (SHST) 1 p.m.
May 21: Dn. Greg Schill’s priesthood ordination (San Antonio)
May 23-24: North American councils meeting (Chicago)
June 11: Ordination of Dn. Duy Nguyen to the priesthood (Sacred Heart Monastery)
July 1: Feast of the Sacred Heart, Mass at SHST, 11 a.m.
Week of July 11: Province Assembly, Hales Corners, Wis.
August 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting
October. 2: Pet Blessing (SHST)
October 4-5: Provincial Council Meeting
November 14-16: SCJ Retreat, Pinellas Park
December 14-15: Provincial Council Meeting
December 18: Advent Concert, 2 p.m.