NOTE: This week’s news is being posted on Tuesday instead of Monday because of the Easter break.
ESL alum reflects on new project
Two items about the SCJs’ new project in Berlin, Germany, were recently posted on SCJ sites. The first is a reflection on the province blog from Fr. Wladyslaw Mach. An alumnus of Sacred Heart School of Theology’s ESL program, Fr. Wladyslaw is one of five SCJs who are a part of the new community in Berlin.
“’How do we reach people?’ is the question we ask of ourselves in all the areas where we serve,” wrote Fr. Wladyslaw. “Young people of today go to the big city to take part in all that it offers. Life moves incredibly quick for them; trends and fashions are just a part of it.
“Somehow, we have to find a way to insert ourselves into that life so that we can share the Gospel message. I must be open to new forms of preaching. Nowadays, that includes using all the technical possibilities, such as media.
“But we must also must remember – most especially – the effect and role of grace…
“The Good News was and is for people who are searching. And that gives us hope that our mission here in Berlin has meaning, that it can grow and bear abundant fruit.”
Click here to read the full blog post.
Also posted…
A lengthier article about the new community in Berlin was posted on the Generalate’s website last week. An excerpt:
“In August, 2012, the congregation initiated a new project in Berlin. Through it, the congregation once again seeks to respond to Fr. Dehon’s call to ‘go to the people.
“Note the use of the word ‘congregation.’
“The project may have been initiated by the German Province, in a German city, but the new community reflects the international, multicultural fabric of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
“It is a congregational effort, not just the ministry of one province.
“’This is an intentional, international community,’ said Fr. Markus Moench, the sole German in the Berlin community. [Fr. Markus was a member of the Dehon Formation Community in Chicago several years ago.]
“’And it is not just a cooperative project of Europe,” added Fr. Markus. Having two Dehonians from Brazil brings to the community not only an international flavor but a bit of seasoning from where the Catholic Church and the congregation is growing: the southern hemisphere.”
As noted previously, the new community house was blessed on February 16 by Berlin’s Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki [Click here to view photo album].
Click here to read the full article.
The youngest member of the senior community
Br. Brian Tompkins, a member of the Canadian Region, has long felt a call to minister to seniors. He studied gerontology during his years with the Toronto community and is now putting his skills to work, serving with the retirement community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. The following is from a recent reflection that he wrote for the Canadian Region’s website:
“Working with Fr. James Brackin, the local superior, I have been responding to the needs of the senior members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart and other lay residents at SHML,” wrote Br. Brian. “The large and beautiful SHML chapel is the center of the lay residence. It provides the setting and momentum to respond to the spiritual and liturgical needs of the residents. Though not a parish, it feels like a ‘microcosm’ of one. One confrere jokingly calls it ‘Brian’s Parish.’ It can be challenging. I feel very much a part of the lay community, as well as my own SCJ community. My ministry affords me to be, in a sense, a liaison between the two distinct yet unified communities. Recently, I facilitated a Lenten Day of Reflection.
“Three times weekly I visit seven of our SCJs who reside at the Congregational Home (assisted and nursing care). After a short and delightful visit, each one receives Holy Communion.
“For many, many years, I did not have a driver’s license, but after conquering my fears I now finally drive! I have mentioned only a few examples of what I do. And there are plans for much more. My work is an unfolding and developing experience. I look forward to each day. Perhaps it is trite to say but the residents offer me so much more than I will ever be able to offer them. I feel as if God has called me to SHML to be part of the birthing of this new community. It truly is a shared future!”
Please remember
Fr. Cornelis Wilhelmus van den Berg, a member of the Dutch-Flemish Confederation, died March 30. He was born in 1935, professed in 1957 and ordained in 1963.
Proxy ballots
A reminder to SCJs in the US Province: requests for proxy ballots must be made, in writing by April 15. Contact Fr. Terry Langley, provincial secretary, if you have questions about this. His email: provsec@usprovince.org.
Election information
Preparatory items for the June Provincial Election Assembly will continue to be posted in the Members section of the province website. Currently available: the lists of eligible candidates for provincial superior and provincial council, the State of the Province Report, and the election bylaws.
If you need assistance logging into the Members section, please contact Mary Gorski.
Update
Fr. Jim Schifano has a new email address: jim.schifano@gmail.com
Arrived in Manila
Fr. Bernie Rosinski sent a short email yesterday to let us know that he arrived in Manila, and after a few days of administrative work there he will be flying to Cagayan de Oro on the island of Mindanao. He is back in the Philippines to teach ESL, which he also did in the spring of 2012.
Fr. Bernie will be in the Philippines until May 29. While there he will make a short trip to Vietnam to attend the inauguration of the first SCJ house in the country.
A busy break from school
SCJ candidate Gabriel Gutierrez had a busy week during his break from studies. He helped at St. Martin of Tours Parish School in Franklin, where he did Gospel reflections, helped first and second-grade students prepare for the Stations of the Cross, did Easter projects with some of the younger students and even did a little marching with K5 students during their music class.
“A big THANK YOU to Gabriel for his time with us,” said a member of the school staff. The photo above was posted on the school’s Facebook page.
Calendar notes
The U.S. Province Election Assembly will begin at noon on Monday, June 3.
The North American Conference, which concludes Fr. General’s visitation of Canada and the United States, will begin with prayer on Tuesday, September 24 at 4:30 p.m., and conclude with lunch on Friday, September 27.
The jubilee celebrations for the U.S. Province will Monday, September 23.
Provincial’s time
After a happy opening day at Miller Park where Fr. Tom Cassidy’s Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies in extra innings, Fr. Tom is back in the office after the Easter break.
On April 7 he heads to South Dakota for Mission Education; he will be there through the week. April 18 he goes to Mississippi for board meetings at Sacred Heart Southern Missions. He comes home on April 20 and then leaves for Vietnam on April 22, where he will attend the inauguration of the first SCJ house in the country.
