Featured Stories | June 13, 2025
Fr. Vien Nguyen reelected to second term
Reflecting the diversity of the Catholic Church –– and in particular, the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) –– the newly elected administration of the US Province includes SCJs from Vietnam, Indonesia, Brazil and the United States.
On June 10, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was re-elected to a second three-year term as provincial superior. He is the 16th SCJ to lead the province.
Prior to his election to his first term in 2022, Fr. Vien, 51, was vice rector and assistant professor of Scripture Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in Hales Corners, WI. He professed his first vows in 1997 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2004. In 2018 he earned a doctorate from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA. He also earned a Th.M, and S.T.L. from Santa Clara University, and an M.Div. from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
Fr. Vien has been published in a wide variety of theological and professional publications, including the Review of Biblical Literature, The Journal of Biblical Theology, and The American Journal of Biblical Theology.
Before pursuing post-graduate studies, Fr. Vien served in parish ministry in Houston (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Our Lady of Guadalupe) and in formation, as well as on the Provincial Council for the US Province. He is originally from Vietnam but immigrated to the United States as a teen; his family is based in Houston.
Fr. Francis is congratulated by Fr. John Czyzynski
A new council
Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ, was the first to be elected to the new Provincial Council. He is 48, professed his first vows in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2005. Fr. Francis is currently associate pastor at St. Martin of Tours parish in Franklin, WI. Previously he has served as district superior of Vietnam (two terms, ending in 2022), and has taught at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He is also the local superior of the St. Joseph Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.
Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, returns to the council after having served as vice-provincial during Fr. Ed Kilianski’s administration. Originally from Vietnam, Fr. Quang, 60, professed his first vows in 1995 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. He has served in parish ministry in Texas, New York, and California, and as province Vocation Director. He was also superior of the Sacred Heart Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. Currently, he is a campus minister at the University of Houston.
Dn. David Nagel, SCJ, served on Fr. Vien’s first council. He is 74, was professed in 1972 and ordained to the diaconate in 2003. Currently province treasurer, Dn. David previously served as executive director of St. Joseph’s Indian School, and on the formation team. He has also been active with the Dehonian Associates Committee and has served on the General Finance Commission.
Like Dn. David, Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ, served on the Provincial Council during Fr. Vien’s first term. Originally from Brazil, Fr. Rafael is 45, professed his first vows in 2001 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2007. Until recently he was pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Houston parish. In June he moved to Milwaukee to start his new assignment with the province formation program.
Fr. Hendrik (“Ardi”) Ardianto, SCJ, was the fifth and final member elected to the Provincial Council for the 2025-28 term. Originally from Indonesia, Fr. Ardi, 35, came to the US Province in the spring of 2019 to study English in Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology‘s ECS program. He then served briefly in South Dakota before joining the pastoral team that ministers to six parishes in northern Mississippi; he currently serves as moderator of the team.
Fr. Ardi entered the minor seminary in 2004, professed vows in 2010 and was ordained as a priest in 2018.
Fr. Vien
Thanks, gratitude and looking toward the future
Approximately 60 SCJ delegates from around the province took part in the Election Assembly. It was held at the Provincial Conference Center in Hales Corners/Franklin, WI, from June 9-12.
In his final words to the assembly Fr. Vien expressed his deep gratitude to members of his first Provincial Council. “I can’t thank you enough for your support, patience and pastoral sensitivity to me during these past few years,” he said. “You were there for me… wherever God leads you in ministry know that you have my support.”
Fr. Vien talked about priorities for the next administration including the need to make the congregation better known in the United States. “We all must help with that,” he said. “Wear the Dehonian cross, talk about SCJ spirituality in homilies. Encourage collaborators to take part in our initiatives for the laity. Make time to be at province events; your presence sends a strong message.”
He noted the challenges of vocation recruitment and formation ministry. “Those involved in these ministries need our support,” he said.
Vocations, formation and continued collaboration with SCJ entities and other religious communities will continue to be priorities. “But it is important to remember that our goal is not just to increase numbers, but to welcome people who will truly contribute to the life and mission of our province.”
Fr. Vien ended his closing words as he started, expressing thanks and gratitude. Gifting her a plaque that included a quote from Fr. Leo John Dehon, Fr. Vien thanked Sr. Cathy Bertrand, SSND, for once again facilitating a province gathering. He thanked Fr. Jack Kurps, SCJ, for his work in planning the assembly’s liturgies and daily prayer, as well as Br. Frank Presto, SCJ, for his work as provincial secretary (he retires at the end of July). SCJ Fraters Hung Pham and Michael Wodarczyk were thanked for their work as tellers. And finally, Fr. Vien thanked the many others who worked behind the scenes to help make the Election Assembly run smoothly.
CLICK HERE to view photos from the assembly.
Statement regarding immigration
The protests in Los Angeles regarding immigration raids were on the news throughout the week of the Election Assembly. Responding to the statement released by Archbishop José Gómez of Los Angeles, the assembly endorsed a statement of their own, stating that “We stand with Archbishop José Gómez in his call for restraint and calm and also urge Congress to reform our immigration system.”
Click here to read the full statement.
Fra. Hung signs his commitment
Final vows
At the Opening Mass of the assembly on June 9, Frater Hung Pham, SCJ, made his perpetual profession of vows.
“This particular moment in my journey makes me realize how blessed I am to be a Dehonian, as I am called to be a prophet of love and to share this message with the people whom I serve,” said Fra. Hung. “My perpetual vows do not signify an ending; rather, they represent a continuous love for God and service to His people. I need to perpetually bring God’s love to others and to step out of the sacristy to serve His people.”
Fra. Hung is preparing for ordained ministry; his diaconate ordination is tentatively planned for December, following the completion of his seminary studies.
Click here to view photos from the Final Vows ceremony.
Jubilees
During the Closing Mass on June 12, members of the US Province celebrated the religious jubilees of Fr. Gary Lantz, SCJ (50 years in vows), and of Br. Frank Snider, SCJ (60 years).
Originally from Zanesville, Ohio, much of Br. Frank’s life has been devoted to education. He taught at Divine Heart Seminary and at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary before taking a teaching position at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, CA. That was the start of a nearly 40-year commitment to Catholic high school education. Br. Frank retired in 2022 and is now a member of the Sacred Heart Community in Pinellas Park, FL.
Fr. Gary is originally from Decatur, Il. He professed his first vows in 1975 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1980. His assignments have included parish ministry in St. Louis and Milwaukee; however, it was in South Dakota where he truly found his call. He served in parochial ministry with the Lower Brule – Crow Creek Pastoral Team, as well as at parishes throughout South Dakota. He also ministered at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, and for many years was a chaplain at the South Dakota Women’s Prison in Pierre. Fr. Gary is a member of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML
Click here to read more about the Jubilees.
Click here to view photos from the Closing Mass.
