It was more than “fair”

Last week’s Culture Fair at Sacred Heart School of Theology was more than just “fair,” it was “FANTASTIC” said a first-year seminarian. “It’s an example in our own backyard of the international church and how we here at Sacred Heart are just a small part of that.”

A few photos from the fair are posted on the province Facebook page. Click here to view them (you do not need to be a member of Facebook to see the photos).

Hosted by the seminary’s ESL program, the Culture Fair is a long-standing tradition at SHST. Preceded by a multicultural Mass, the lunchtime exhibition in the SHST dining room gives international students an opportunity to show off their home cultures, including food and beverages.

This year Sacred Heart had 35 students in the first summer ESL session, and 36 are finishing up the second session that concludes on October 10. The fall semester will have 25 students. Most in the program are priests and/or religious (including religious sisters), or others involved in church ministry. The program has a special focus on English use for those in ministry.

Approximately 25% of SCJs worldwide have taken part in ESL at Sacred Heart, including members of the general curia and SCJ students from the international college in Rome.

Among the countries represented at this year’s Culture Fair: Brazil, Chile, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Haiti, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Venezuela and Vietnam.

Updates

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Houston
The fax number in the directory is incorrect. The correct number is:
713-636-9054.

Several SCJs in the Milwaukee area have new email addresses:

Br. Matt Miles: mattscj39@yahoo.com
Fr. Steve Wiese: frswiese@hotmail.com
Fr. Ed Griesemer: fredscj3@gmail.com

Job opening reminder

As noted in September, the U.S. Province is seeking a Director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation. The successful candidate will educate, animate and engage members of the province, their coworkers and other publics on current social justice issues; assist the province and its members in responding to the challenge to be “prophets of love and servants of reconciliation” in today’s American society, the church, and the global community. The candidate must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and be able to work independently within a team environment. An advanced degree in Social Justice or its equivalent required. Salary will be commensurate with experience and will include a competitive benefits package. Position will be located in the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Interested candidates should email a cover letter, confidential resume and salary history to justice.scj1@gmail.com

The province would like to finalize its selection soon. If you, or someone you know, has interest in the position, send a resume ASAP to the email list above.

Powwow 2013

A video from St. Joseph Indian School’s 36th Annual Wacipi (Powwow 2013) is now available on YouTube. Click here to view it. In September people from across the country gathered in Chamberlain, S.D., to join Lakota (Sioux) children celebrating their Native American culture and heritage.

Soon after the event Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, director of St. Joe’s, wrote that “I’m weary, but it’s the good kind of tired from a wonderful day.

“As visitors streamed onto campus, they boarded our mini buses and were shuttled around campus for morning tours of Our Lady of the Sioux Chapel and four of the residential homes where the boys and girls live on St. Joseph’s campus. Houseparents prepared snacks for our guests, and students volunteered to give tours of the homes. The most enthusiastic were the first through third grade girls of Afra Home, who at times led people by the hand, tugging them along to see the playroom or laundry and tell them about all they’ve already learned from life in the home…

“Besides our own St. Joseph students, many young people came from surrounding areas. When 150 dancers processed in during the Grand Entry, the colorful spectacle was a beauty to behold. We had ten drum groups rotating the songs, including our St. Joseph’s student group, the Chalk Hills Singers…

“At supper we served stew and fixings at the picnic pavilion, feeding over 900 guests, students and family members. After the judges’ points were totaled, we announced the award-winning dancers and passed out prizes. As the sun set over the majestic Missouri River and people headed home with pictures and memories, our facilities crew was already tearing down and putting the football field back to its normal configuration. Next year’s powwow will be the weekend of September 21, so make your plans now to join us!”

SCJs sighted at Grand Ole Opry

Soon after enjoying the annual powwow at St. Joseph’s Indian School, Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, joined other SCJ fund raising professionals in Nashville for the annual National Catholic Development Conference. The conference is a gathering for development professionals from a wide variety of Catholic organizations and institutions, including religious communities such as the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Representatives from SCJ development offices in Mississippi, South Dakota and Wisconsin attended.

Pictured above is Fr. Steve with Fr. Dominic Peluse, SCJ, after their audition (?) at the Grand Ole Opry. Rumor has it that their act was not rated as one of the best fund-raising ideas by their fellow professionals.

Happy birthday!

Happy birthday to Fr. John van den Hengel, vicar general (and former member of the Canadian Region), who turns 73 today. Others with birthdays in October include Fr. Ed Zemlik (55) on Oct. 3, Fr. Tony Russo (74) and Fr. Bob Naglich (57) on Oct. 4, Br. Lenny Zaworski (70) on Oct. 8, Fr. Peter Mastrobuono (73) on Oct. 10, Fr. Tom Cassidy (70) on Oct. 13, Fr. Mike Burke (75), Fr. Bill Pitcavage (70), Fr. Paul Grizzelle Reid (69) and Br. Dieudonné Tchouteu (50) on Oct. 14, Fr. Maurice Légaré (58) on Oct. 15, Fr. Christianus Hendrik (43) on Oct. 21, Fr. Bob Bossie (75) on Oct. 23, Frater Fernando Orozco Cardona (38) on Oct. 25, and Fr. Dick Johnston (80) on Oct. 27.

Preparing for World Youth Day 2013

SCJs in Brazil are busy organizing for the International Meeting of Dehonian Youth that will take place July 20-28, 2013, in Taubaté and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in conjunction with World Youth Day July 23-28 in Rio de Janeiro.

Besides a multilingual website dedicated to preparation for the event, the SCJs have also launched “Youth Dehonian Radio Brazil,” which can be accessed from the website. Programming is still in the preliminary stages, but the internet radio station will broadcast activities from the Dehonian youth gathering, as well as WYD activities. In the months leading to the July events the station will air music and news for and about Dehonian youth. MP3 files can be submitted for play on the station. Click here to do so, or to learn more.

Note that since the station is based in Brazil, much of the radio’s programming will be Portuguese. But again, the website does have English links.

Provincial’s time

Fr. Cassidy left for Africa on Saturday to attend the ordination of Archbishop Claudio Dalla Zuanna in Beira, Mozambique. The ordination will be this coming weekend. Fr. Cassidy will be back in time for council meetings on October 11-12.

Upcoming meetings and events:

October 11-12: Provincial Council Meeting
October 12: Dedication of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake
November 13-14, North American Councils meeting in Toronto
December 18-19: Provincial Council Meeting

2013:
January 29-30: Provincial Council Meeting
March 13: Local Superiors Meeting
March 14: Provincial Council Meeting
April 8-9: Mission Education Conference, St. Joseph’s Indian School
April 30 – May 1: Provincial Council Meeting (budgets)
Week of June 3: Province Election Assembly.