Celebrating our founder

Today, March 14, is the 175th anniversary of the birth of our founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon. Fr. John Czyzynski wrote the homily that was given at this morning's Mass with the Sacred Heart Community at SHML. In it, he reflected and gave "thanks to God for Leo Dehon's life and all he did that shapes our lives. Let us thank God for His great love, which Dehon preached toxxx

Fr. Leonard Elder – missionary and pastor – dies

Fr. Leonard Elder, SCJ, died March 6, following complications from a heart attack on Sunday. He was 76. For nine years he served as a religious brother in Zaire (now Congo) before pursuing a call to ordained ministry. As a priest he served in Texas and Mississippi, eventually retiring in Mississippi.

The continuing task of communication

In January, 2017, the Priests of the Sacred Heart held its first Media Experts Meeting, a gathering in Rome of Dehonian communication professionals from around the world. The ICC first met in March, 2017, and has had three meetings since, most recently, February 27-28. Discussions have focused on the new Mission Statement, updating communication tools of the congregation, and preparing for the next Media Experts Meeting.

The blessings of long-term commitment

On February 3, Frater Juan Carlos Castañeda Rojas, SCJ, made his perpetual commitment to be a Dehonian, a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, received his vows in a ceremony at Sacred Heart Monastery. Originally from Colombia, Frater Juancho professed his first vows in 2013. He is 35.

Internationality is the future of the US Province

"Our Future: Together in Community and Ministry" was the theme of the January 30 - February 1, 2018, US Provincial Conference. Although a variety of issues were discussed, one of the most significant themes was "internationality." As one SCJ said: "It's not just that we want to welcome SCJs from other entities; we want to be intercultural, allowing ourselves to changed and enhanced by SCJs from around the world."

Fr. Steve Wiese: teacher, pastor and missionary

Fr. Steve Wiese, SCJ, died on January 13; he was 83. He served as a teacher in the province's seminaries, in parish ministry throughout the country, as a vocation director and as missionary in Lesotho (Africa). For the past several years he had been a member of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML.

Preaching with the Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other

There is a frequently cited image of Fr. Leo John Dehon holding a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other. The founder’s call to make the gospel relevant to the events of the day was echoed by Dn. Greg Kandra in his keynote address at SHSST’s Preaching Conference on January 9. “Take the news of the week and make it real,” said Dn. Kandra. “Connect it toxxx

Remembering Br. Ben Humpfer

Br. Ben Humpfer, SCJ, died Sunday, December 31, following a recent diagnosis of brain cancer. He was 74 and had been a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians) for 51 years. He served many roles in the province including tailor, cook, superior, vocation director and teacher.

New beginnings found in Vietnam

“This journey has helped me to commit to opening my heart to do whatever it is that I am called to do," wrote Henry Nguyen about his first week in Vietnam. He and fellow novice Paul (Phong) Hoang were invited by Fr. Ed Kilanski to join him on his planned visit to the country so that they could learn more about the SCJ congregation (Dehonians) outside of the United States.xxx

Advent Reflections

Advent begins on Sunday, December 3 and runs though Sunday, December 24 (Christmas Eve). Our province vocation office has prepared a booklet that features reflections for each day of the season written by members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians). They are reprinted here. We invite you to join us in prayer as we anticipate the celebration of God's Incarnation. May your Advent be Spirit-filled and joyful.

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