“Do what is right, seek what is good, walk humbly with the Lord”
Fr. Vincent Suparman, SCJ (pictured above), superior of the Sacred Heart Community in Pinellas Park, FL, was the main celebrant, and Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, provincial superior, was the homilist at the Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Tom Lind, SCJ, on April 18. The liturgy was held at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.
In his homily, Fr. Vien reflected on a phrase displayed prominently in Fr. Tom’s room: “Do what is right, seek what is good, walk humbly before the Lord,” from the prophet Micah.
“Doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God are not separate from each other; rather, they are interconnected,” said Fr. Vien.” They form the essence of God’s heart. Tom, I believe that having the words of the prophet Micah on your wall was not for decoration. Instead, they served as a reminder of what you wanted to achieve in your religious life as a Dehonian…
“May we too follow the footsteps of Fr Leo John Dehon and have the courage to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God. We hope that we too one day will be invited to the glorious banquet held on Mount Zion, never to be separated from God’s love, and be blessed for living the Beatitudes.”
Click here to read Fr. Vien’s full homily.
Click here to view photos from the funeral.
To be a good steward
Members of the Province Finance Commission met last week to discuss this year’s submitted budgets. The final review by the Provincial Council will take place on May 17. The commission includes Dn. David Nagel, SCJ, Chris Lambert (Director of Financial Services), Fr. Duy Nguyen, SCJ, Fra. Hung Pham, SCJ, Br. Frank Presto, SCJ, Kevin Stanke (Province Accountant), and Fr. Chuck Wonch, SCJ. They are pictured above.
In talking about the budgets, Dn. David emphasized that they represent more than just an administrative task. “If the goods of daily life have temporal value it is limited to how they help us shape and establish the kingdom of God here among us,” he wrote. “We read that the poor in spirit are the recipients of the kingdom of heaven. Fr. Dehon speaks about the establishment of God’s reign in hearts and societies here on earth…
“The life of the Christian is a call to build the kingdom of God rather than our personal kingdoms. Let the reign of God’s love grow in our hearts and in society!”
Keep in prayer
Laura Kaluba, Fr. John Czyzynski’s niece, had brain surgery last week to remove a tumor. The surgery went well, and the family is now awaiting results of the biopsy. She has been battling cancer. Please keep her and the family in your prayers. Laura is the oldest daughter of Fr. John’s sister Dorothy.
Also, please continue to keep Fr. Tim Gray, SCJ, in your prayers. He is at Froedtert Hospital in Milwaukee being treated for back pain and a heart infection.
Please remember
+Fr. Konrad Flatau, a member of the German Province, died on April 12. He was born in 1938, professed in 1960 and ordained in 1965.
From the Philippines to South Dakota
It has been over six months since two members of the Theresian Missionaries of Mary (TMM), a diocesan women’s religious community in the Philippines, arrived in South Dakota to prepare for ministry with the Lower Brule Pastoral Team. In a five-minute video they talk about their experiences during the past months, including their first South Dakota winter. “We don’t have winter in the Philippines!” said Sr. Eulogia (Yollie) Cases Nobabos, TMM, shaking her head.
The winter may be cold, but both sisters have found the people to be warm and welcoming. “We really feel how wonderful people here are,” said Sr. Yollie. “It is a moving experience for us that leads us to move forward and give more of ourselves to the Native Americans. This mission is beautiful, yet challenging.”
Although they have begun to minister at the reservation parishes in a limited capacity, both sisters said that they have much to learn about Native American culture, as well South Dakota in general. Both have joined the first-grade class at St. Joseph’s Indian School for Lakota language studies, studying Lakota traditions with the youngest of the school’s students.
“Every time we see the students we say ‘How are you?’ How’s life?’ and we give them our smiles and say that ‘we’ll see you next Sunday!’ encouraging them to join us at Mass,” said Sr. Yollie.
“We have been teaching them about the importance of the Eucharist,” added Sr. Clary Joy Tagaylo Palasan, TMM.
Click here or on the image above to see the video made by Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ.
Today is the deadline!
Today is the last day to sign up for the retreat for those in active ministry, which will take place at the Siena Retreat Center from May 13-16. The retreat will be led by Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, and will focus on the theme of synodality. Click here to register.
Hello from South Africa!
Last week Fr. Charles Brown, SCJ, led a course in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, titled “St. Paul, Pastor of the New Creation.” The week-long session was part of a three-month sabbatical program hosted by the South African Catholic Bishops Conference (Fr. Charlie has previously presented at the program). His focus was on the pastoral application of St. Paul’s theology and spirituality in the world of his time, and of today’s world. Fr. Charlie is pictured below with the sabbatical participants.
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