News & Events | April 13, 2026
Holy Week in Houston
Some of our students in the ECS program at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology celebrated Holy Week in Houston at Our Lady of Guadalupe. “It was such a cool mix of American vibes, faith stuff, and real-life experiences,” said Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, residential director of ECS.
“We checked out NASA’s Space Center Houston, spent some time chilling at Galveston Beach, and wandered through local museums,” he continued. “Of course, we also spent much time with the faith community at OLG, celebrating the Holy Triduum, where approximately 60 people got baptized or received their sacraments during Easter Vigil. That was really moving.
“The best part? Our students got to practice English in real conversations with all kinds of Texans, visiting with students at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, sharing stories with teenagers, celebrating the liturgies and enjoying awesome meals with our SCJ brothers.
“It was the perfect way to level up in the study of English while really experiencing American culture and faith up close.”
Br. Andy is an alumnus of the ECS program and served for many years on the OLG pastoral team. Click here to view more photos from Br. Andy that were posted on the province Facebook page.
Archbishop Zolile
SCJ archbishop visits North America
Archbishop Zolile Mpambani, SCJ, of Bloemfontein (South Africa), arrived in Montréal on April 9 for a short visit to Canada. In 2004, after his term as general councilor, he spent a sabbatical with the Montréal community, taking courses at the Institut de Formation Humaine Intégrale. Yesterday, April 12, he presided at the community Mass for Divine Mercy. He is now visiting with Ottawa community and will leave Canada on April 22 for Spain, where he will take part in the meeting of Dehonian bishops.
Keep in prayer
– Fr. Byron Haaland, SCJ, is in long-term care at St. Luke’s Hospital in Milwaukee, where he is being treated for cancer. He has his phone with him and is able to receive messages.
– Br. Andy Lewandowski, SCJ, made a brief visit to the hospital on Sunday to be treated for dehydration. He is back home at St. Camillus.
– Fr. Christianus Hendrik, SCJ, has been hospitalized to address several health concerns.
– Fr. Frank Wittouck, SCJ, has also been hospitalized. He was anointed yesterday and is said to be in positive spirits.
Cards can be sent for all those listed above to Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, 7330 S. Lovers Lane Road, Franklin, WI 53132-1849.
Please remember
+Fr. Francesco Duci, a member of the North Italian Province, died on April 8. He was born in 1928, professed in 1946 and ordained in 1955.
+Fr. Bernard Groux, a member of the Franco-European Province, died on April 11. He was born in 1939, professed in 1958 and was ordained in 1967.He was living in La Capelle, France (the founder’s birthplace), at the time of his death.
Province retreat
On April 8, invitations were sent via email to SCJs in the US Province for the June 1-4 Province Retreat. It will take place at the Mundelein Conference Center near Chicago, beginning Monday at 4:30 p.m. and ending with lunch on Thursday, June 4.
If you are attending, you are asked to respond via the link in the e-mail invitation by April 25.
Questions about the retreat? Please contact a member of the Retreat Planning Committee:
Fr. Floribert Bulo Dhelo, SCJ: bulofloribert@gmail.com
Fr. Christian Hoper, SCJ: hoferscj@gmail.com
Br. Duane D. Lemke, SCJ: provsec@usprovince.org
Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ: querobinscj@hotmail.com
Province hosts Catholic Women Leaders
The final Catholic Women Leaders dinner for winter/spring was held at the Provincial Conference Center on April 8th. An outreach of the Dehonian Associates office, the gathering provides spiritual formation and community fellowship for women who work for the Church. Over 30 women gathered to hear Mary Lestina speak on “Holiness in Our Midst, the Call of Young Saints.” Mary is Pastoral Associate at St. Dominic’s parish in Brookfield, WI, and is becoming a Dehonian Associate this June. She began the talk by referencing a quote by Fr. Leo John Dehon: “You have been admitted into the Communion of Saints. Recall the grace of baptism. You have entered into the participation of all its wealth, its joy, its feasts, its treasures.” The dinner series will resume next fall.
Collaboration leads to publication
At last fall’s symposium at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology titled “The Sacred Heart Poured Out for the World,” Fr. Eduardo Pugliesi, SCJ, presented on the liturgical significance of the Sacred Heart. Fr. Eduardo is a member of the faculty at Faculdade Dehoniana, the Dehonian’s seminary in Taubaté, Brazil. Fr. Eduardo was also a part of the delegation from the Faculdade Dehoniana that attended SHSST commencement last May.
In collaboration with Dr. Michael Brummond, SHSST Associate Professor of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology, Fr. Eduardo recently published a short article in the U.S. Catholic journal Adoremus: “Hoc Sacrificium Vivum et Sanctum: On the Value of the Offertory Procession.” Click here to access the article online.
“Good deeds improve community”
This was the quote attributed to Fr. Jean Claude Mbassi, SCJ, in the Spring issue of Extension Magazine. He, and the Dehonians’ ministry in Lower Brule, SD, were highlighted in a feature about the Extension Society’s “Feeding Our Families” project. The project allowed St. Mary’s parish in Lower Brule to distribute vouchers to a local grocery store. In 2025, Fr. Jean Claude distributed over 700 vouchers. Fr. Jean Claude is now a member of the Pinellas Park community in Florida.
Click here to access the article online. Click here to view the full issue.
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