As reported on the province and congregational websites last week, the novitiate of the Congolese Province was attacked on August 3 by armed bandits. Fr. Osnildo Klann, novice master, was tortured, and several students were injured. Items were stolen and the house was ransacked. Only a month earlier the same group of bandits –– referred to as “Mai Mai” by Fr. Osnildo –– attacked an SCJ parish near the novitiate.
Today the congregational website –– www.dehon.it –– reports that on August 8 the novitiate community got word that it was to again be attacked. The entire novitiate community, including soldiers who had been standing guard, fled to a nearby city. There, Fr. Osnildo went on the local radio station to tell his story. The bishop spoke to representatives from the army to seek assistance, yet with limited resources, the army can sometimes do little to protect the Congolese people.
The novitiate community is now assessing its situation. Some SCJs would like to leave Kiragho, where the novitiate is located. However, with a novitiate class of 26, it is difficult to quickly find another location that can accommodate the entire community.
Updates on the situation will be posted under the “News” section of the province website, as well as at the congregational site. We will also note updates on the Facebook page.
Click here to read a rough translation of Fr. Osnildo’s letter concerning the novitiate attack.
Originally from Brazil, Fr. Osnildo studied in Sacred Heart School of Theology’s ESL program in 2000.
Provincial’s time
After meetings with CMSM last week Fr. Cassidy will take part in the LCWR conference this week. His first visitation of the new administrative term will be with the Villa Maria community the week of August 16.
Please remember
Fr. José Leopoldo Ramos, a member of the North Brazilian Province, died August 3. He was born in 1923, professed in 1942 and ordained in 1948.
Fr. Leonard van Marrewijk, a member of the Chilean Province, died August 3 in The Netherlands. He was born in 1923, professed in 1952 and ordained in 1957.
Keep in prayer
Paul Bossie, the brother of Fr. Bob Bossie, was hospitalized last week because of a heart attack. He has blockage in the three arteries to his heart but is not a good candidate for bypass surgery. Follow-up care is scheduled but, for now, he will return to his apartment.
Also, Bill Bagsby, the uncle of Fr. Leonard Elder, is in the terminal stages of his cancer.
Update
Fr. Frank Wittouck Studio Six Apartments
1255 N. Highway 6, Suite 123
Houston, TX 77084
Fr. Johnny Klingler
From August 11 through November 7 Fr. Johnny will be assisting with ministry in Raymondville, Texas. His email address will be the same: [email protected]. The address for the community is Rt. 2, Box 788, Raymondville, TX 78580-4485
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the Youth Group from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Houston, Texas! At the recent Archdiocesan Youth Conference the group was presented with the first annual Cardinal Di Nardo Ministry Achievement Award for service in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
“We are proud of our youth and the adult team members who work with them,” said Fr. Rick DiLeo, associate pastor at OLG. The parish group sent over 40 young people to the convention. Frs. Ed Kilianski and Rick DiLeo were among the clergy who participated in the reconciliation service offered to participants. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo celebrated the closing Eucharist; more than 2,000 young people were in attendance.
Frater Greg Schill renewed his vows in Argentina. Fr. Attilio Zorzetti, provincial superior of Argentina, received the vows.
Vow renewals
Recently, we noted that Br. Clay Diaz renewed his vows in Chamberlain, S.D. Last week, we received a photo from Frater Greg Schill, who renewed his vows in Argentina, where he is studying Spanish. Br. Long Nguyen also renewed has vows last week during a prayer service at Sacred Heart School of Theology.
On October 2 Frater Greg and Br. Long will make their final professions.
First vows
On Sunday, August 15, Luis Fernando Orozco Cardona and Joseph Pham Vu will make their first professions during a Mass at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology. If you are planning to attend and have not contacted the formation community either by phone or e-mail, please let Mary Gorski know by Tuesday afternoon, August 10. We need to have a count for the food service staff (a luncheon follows the 10:30 a.m. ceremony).
Visitations in Indonesia and India
Photos from the recent visitations of Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho, superior general, and Fr. Paulus Sugino, general councilor, to India and Indonesia are available on the congregational website. Click here to view them.
