Featured Stories | August 28, 2025
“Catholicity reminds us that there is no single way to worship or express faith. Our diversity is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be embraced. For us, catholicity is a living symphony of voices, cultures, and traditions, harmonized by the Spirit.”
-Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ
On August 27, 2025, Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, was installed as the 12th president-rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology during SHSST’s Opening Mass for the new academic year. Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was the main celebrant; the text of his homily is below:
Introduction
As we begin this new school year, I can feel both excitement and wonder in our community. Excitement—for new classes, new friendships, and new opportunities to grow in knowledge and faith. Wonder—for the unknowns: From a student’s perspective, will there be too many assignments? Will there be enough time to pray, study, and sleep?
When I was a student [probably a century ago], the first thing I did when the professor handed out the syllabus was to check the assignment page to see how many exegetical papers, reflection essays, tests, and quizzes there were. I often wondered: Can I handle this class, or should I drop it? I suspect some of you might have thought the same. But looking back, my advice is this: stick with the most demanding professors. You will always learn a lot from them. Trust me on that!
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is more than just a school. It’s a place of formation, specifically in the areas of human, spiritual, pastoral, and intellectual formation. Here, students, faculty, staff, formators, and administrators come together to deepen their understanding, exchange ideas, and sometimes debate the best ways to, for example, interpret Scripture or understand Church teachings. Although these differences can sometimes make us uncomfortable, they also enrich us both individually and collectively. The Spirit often moves most powerfully when we are challenged with something new or unfamiliar and when we are called to listen deeply to one another.
What does this mean for us as we start a new school year in this community of learning? It means that we need to anchor our lives on the four marks of the Church as articulated in the Nicene Creed: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic.
Let me reflect briefly on these four marks.
ONE
From its earliest days, the Church has been diverse—Jews and Greeks, men and women, slaves and free, all as one body of Christ through baptism. That same spirit of diversity is evident in this community of learners today. Here at the seminary and school of theology, some of us may feel a stronger connection to the theology and ecclesiology of Pope John Paul II or Pope Benedict XVI, while others may resonate with Pope Francis. Some of us cherish traditional worship, while others are drawn to contemporary expressions of faith.
But unity does not mean uniformity. St. Paul tells us in Ephesians that we are called to be “one body and one Spirit.” When we face our differences, we are called to respond with love and humility, so that the Spirit may bring us closer in Christ. This call for unity lies at the heart of Sacred Heart spirituality. In the Heart of Christ, we discover the source of communion—Cor Unum, one heart. In this spirit, this institution, a Dehonian apostolate, strives to live out Jesus’ prayer: “Ut Sint Unum—that they may be one.” Through the Heart of Christ, we are called to embrace our differences and be united in the service of God’s reconciling love for the world.
HOLY
St. Paul urges us in Ephesians to live in a manner worthy of our calling. Holiness isn’t something we achieve on our own; it is, first and foremost, God’s work within us. From Israel’s selection as God’s chosen nation, to Christ’s selfless love, and the Spirit’s outpouring at Pentecost, holiness is always a gift. However, this gift requires our free and faithful response.
Fr. Leo John Dehon, founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, understood holiness as a deep union with the Heart of Christ, who gave Himself completely out of love for the world. For Fr. Dehon, being holy means sharing in Christ’s compassion, surrendering ourselves to the Father, and being available to others.
As we open ourselves to the love of His Heart, we are gradually shaped into His image. Through His grace, we become signs and wonders of His presence in the world.
CATHOLIC
Our Church is truly universal, embracing all peoples, cultures, and expressions of faith. I once had the privilege of concelebrating Mass in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the 125th anniversary of the Dehonian presence there. The Mass lasted nearly five hours. I was glad I didn’t pass out! It was a joyful and spirit-filled liturgy, overflowing with vibrant music, heartfelt speeches, and joyful dancing!
I was blessed to experience the same joyful worship in South Africa, where people offered their praise through music and dance. During Mass, especially while singing—and even more during the Sign of Peace—the church would come alive with movements and the high-pitched sounds of ululation.
That same liturgy, however, might seem out of place in a Vietnamese parish, where worship tends to be more solemn, reflective, and serious.
In some African American Catholic communities, a homily shorter than 30 minutes might be seen as a sign of poor preparation. Yet some of you might not be too happy if I preach for 30 minutes today!
Catholicity reminds us that there is no single way to worship or express faith. Our diversity is not a problem to be solved but a gift to be embraced. For us, catholicity is a living symphony of voices, cultures, and traditions, harmonized by the Spirit.
APOSTOLIC
In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor… freedom to the oppressed… healing to the broken.” This captures the core of apostolicity. To be apostolic means not only being rooted in the witness of the apostles but also living as those sent.
The Church is catholic in her embrace of all peoples and cultures but apostolic in her mission to go out, to proclaim, to heal, and to serve. A church that goes to the people. A church where people live the Gospel beyond church walls.
Each of us—students, professors, staff, formators, and administrators—shares in this mission. We are sent, each in our own way, to teach the truth, embody mercy, serve with compassion, and bear witness to the Gospel. In this spirit, we are sent to make the Heart of Christ known and loved, everywhere and always.
Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, Fr. Vien Nguyen and Fr. Luke Strand (rector of St. Francis de Sales Seminary, an SHSST partner)
CONCLUSION
As we begin this new year, let us remember that our vocation—whether as a student, professor, staff member, formator, or administrator—is a sacred one. We are called to be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic people.
Our calling extends beyond studying theology. It’s about living it, allowing ourselves to be shaped by Christ’s love and conformed to the Heart of Christ.
So we pray:
Come, Holy Spirit.
Fill our hearts with your gifts—wisdom, understanding, counsel, courage, knowledge, reverence, and awe of the Lord.
Rekindle in us the fire of God’s love, so that this year may not only be a year of study, but a year of transformation.
[A note to our students] If you find yourself panicking over an exegetical paper at 2 am, take heart: The Spirit works through deadlines, too!
CLICK HERE to view photos from the Mass.
