SCJ jumps on a bike to help raise funds

On Saturday, March 31, St. Martin of Tours parish in Franklin, Wis., was the site of the second annual “Pedal for the Food Pantry.” Organized by parishioners Lauren and Todd Jensen, this year’s event raised approximately $7,300 for the parish food pantry and brought in numerous bags of groceries valued close to $3,000.

Over 100 participants filled the parish gymnasium pedaling for up to four hours on stationery bicycle trainers. Riders were treated to a variety of DJs, videos and music. Local television sports reporter Jen Lada emceed the event.

Members of St. Martin of Tours’ youth group did everything from filling bottles to pumping tires and handing out snacks.  Fr. Bob Naglich (pictured above), associate pastor, was also on hand, and even pedaled a few miles in the last hour of the event.

St. Martin of Tours is ministered to by the Priests of the Sacred Heart.  Fr. Yvon Sheehy is the pastor and Frs. Thi Pham and Rob Naglich are associates.  St. Martin of Tours is also home to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee’s Vietnamese community.

Diocesan priest named SHST president-rector

For the first time in its history, the president-rector’s office at Sacred Heart School of Theology will be held by someone other than a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.

Msgr. Ross Shecterle, a priest with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, has been named as the next president-rector of the seminary. The decision was announced on March 28.

“To say that this is a significant moment for Sacred Heart School of Theology and the Priests of the Sacred Heart is an understatement,” said Fr. Tom Cassidy, provincial superior.

Msgr. Shecterle will become the seminary’s 19th rector. He replaces Fr. Jan de Jong, president-rector since 2008, who is retiring at the age of 74.

“This does not mean that the identity of the Priests of the Sacred Heart leaves the seminary,” said Fr. Cassidy. “The charsim of our founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon, will continue to be the foundation for all that is done here at Sacred Heart School of Theology.”

Significant measures have already been set in place to ensure that the charism and spirituality of the SCJ founder continues to be integral to the identity of Sacred Heart School of Theology.

“I look forward to Msgr. Shecterle’s service to an apostolate that is close to my heart, having been a former rector myself,” said Fr. Cassidy. “I look forward to working with him as he continues to advance the goals of the seminary, including its strong collaborative relationship with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, and the spirituality of our founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon.

Click here to read more about Msgr. Shecterle.

Please remember

Fr. Adrian van Oeffelen, a member of the Dutch-Flemish Confederation, died on April 1. He was born in 1925, professed in 1947 and ordained in 1954.

Keep in prayer

Lily Schweitzer, the four-year-old granddaughter of Lenox alum Norman Dominesey, was recently diagnosed with Leukemia. Mr. Dominesey attended Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in the 1960s.

Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake

The new wing, as well as the common “Main Street” area of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, is quickly taking shape. During their meeting last week members of the Provincial Council toured the new construction. Click here to view photos from their visit.

The new section, which will include 64 apartments for the general public age 55 and above, is scheduled for completion in July. Rental efforts begin this month. If you or someone you know would like information about the apartments, email [email protected] or call 414-409-4848.

The new complex will be dedicated on October 12 at 4 p.m. Archbishop Jerome Listecki of Milwaukee will officiate.

Speaking of photos

As we noted last week, Br. Gabe Kersting, our youngest 90-year-old, celebrated his birthday last week. Click here to view a few photos from Pinellas Park celebration.

SCJ district established in Angola

The first four SCJ missionaries arrived in Angola in 2004. Now eight years later, the efforts of these few have resulted in the congregation establishing a district in the country.

There are currently 11 SCJs working in three locations in Angola: Viana, Luau and Luena. There is already one temporarily professed member, and one Angolan in the novitiate. In the formation program in Viane there are 11 young people at the pre-university level and philosophy.

Angola is only beginning to rebuild itself after its 1974 – 2002 civil war. Creating an SCJ presence in the country will require much work. “But it was felt that there was enough energy to pull together and create a Dehonian community,” said a member of the general administration commenting on the decision to establish the district. One of the missionaries’ success stories in Angola is an economic venture. The SCJ community imported a container full of religious goods from Portugal and set up shop in Viana. Having sold only half its contents, the community has already recuperated the cost of the container twofold.

Click here to read the full story about Angola on the general website.

Click here to go to the English homepage of the general website.

Provincial’s time

Fr. Tom Cassidy is in the Milwaukee area for Holy Week. April 9 he leaves for South Dakota for C-POSH board meetings.

Also, Fr. Cassidy just finished his journal from his March visit to the Philippines. It will be posted to the province website later this week. We’ll put a notice on the province Facebook page when it is available.

Holy Week and Easter schedule

The Provincialate Offices will close at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 5 and remain closed through Monday, April 9, for Triduum and Easter. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, April 10.

Please note that the next Fridge Notes will be posted on TUESDAY, April 10 instead of the usual Monday.

Upcoming meetings and events:

April 5-9: The Provincialate will close at 2 pm. on Holy Thursday (April 5), and not reopen until Tuesday, April 10.
April 15: Easter Concert at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology
May 2-3: North American Councils meeting, Hales Corners
May 15: Mass for the Anointing of the Sick, SHM/SHST
May 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting (budgets)
June 15: Feast of the Sacred Heart
June 28: Provincial Council Meeting (conference call re: formation)
July 3-4: Provincialate Offices closed for Independence Day.
July 9-12: Province Assembly, Hales Corners
July 16-21: General Conference, Neustadt, Germany
July 23-25: SCJ Major Superiors Meeting, Neustadt, Germany
October 12: Dedication of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake

2013:
April 8-9: Mission Education Conference, St. Joseph’s Indian School
Week of June 3: Province Election Assembly