1st pastoral visit to Lower Brule

The newly ordained bishop of Rapid City, Bishop Robert Gruss, made his first pastoral visit to Lower Brule on August 21. “After an official welcome from Fr. Joe Dean, the bishop celebrated Sunday Mass,” wrote Fr. Vincent Suparman.  “Present were all of the west bank members of the Lower Brule Pastoral Team as well as Dn. Steve McLaughlin from Fort Thompson.  Many attended the Mass.”

Fr. Vincent went on to say that in his homily the bishop talked about how his faith grew within his family and how he learned to share his Catholic faith with others.  It was a lead-in to the Gospel reading of Matthew 16:13-20.  “The bishop said that each one of us is called to share our faith through our works and our lives by which we proclaim our belief in the Lord Jesus,” said Fr. Vincent.

A luncheon at the parish hall followed the Mass.

Bishop Gruss isn’t the only one new to his role in South Dakota.  Fr. Vincent is also a recent addition, just joining the Lower Brule Pastoral Team this summer.

“When I drive in South Dakota, I immerse myself in the vast, sweeping prairies,” wrote Fr. Vincent.  “I feel warmly welcomed by a place of endless educational opportunities and unforgettable experiences. Anytime I drive to visit one of our six parishes I can feel the prairie winds through the valley breaks and broad river terrace of the reservation. The Brule Reservation is rich in natural life: antelope, mule, deer, and buffalo. There are also prairie dogs scattered across the uplands and valleys. Pheasants, wild turkeys, and many birds are abundant.”

Fr. Vincent’s words come from a reflection that he wrote for our province blog.  It will be posted on the blog site later this week.

Update

Fr. Leonard Tadyszak is now at the Congregational Home in Brookfield, Wis.  He moved there from Pinellas Park during the weekend.

Br. Frank Presto was named by the council last week to serve as provincial secretary.  He will fill the role in addition to his work as managing director of the Province Development Office.

Lighting strikes

The province hopes there is truth to the old adage that “lightening doesn’t strike twice.”  If so, the new Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake got its lightening strike out of the way last week during a heavy summer storm.  The lightening hit blew out 23 telephones, the internet connection and several personal items at the new residence.  It also stalled the elevator for two days (no one was caught inside; the elevator is designed to go to the bottom floor when there is an electrical problem), and created havoc with the fire alarms.

Dn. David Nagel reports that by the end of the week everything was once again operational.

Notre Dame tickets

Br. Frank Presto sent an email to SCJs last Friday regarding the availability of Notre Dame football tickets.  He notes that as of Monday the only tickets available are for the South Florida game.  Contact Br. Frank ASAP if you are interested in the tickets.

Keep in prayer

Robert J. Dean, the brother of Fr. Joe Dean, was hospitalized last week with stroke-like symptoms.  Fr. Joe said that doctors determined that instead of a stroke, Mr. Dean has a tumor that may be cancerous.  He asks for continued prayers.

Paul Bossie, the brother of Fr. Bob Bossie, is struggling with significant health issues including an ulcer on his heel, decreasing eyesight and extreme claustrophobia.  Paul is currently in nursing care.

Please remember

Fr. Lodewijk de Plecker, a member of the Dutch-Flemish Confederation, died July 22.  He was born in 1921, professed in 1941 and ordained in 1947.

Fr. André Mathias Engel of the South Brazilian Province, died August 9.  He was born in 1925, professed in 1948 and ordained in 1952.

Fr. Byron Haaland directs retreat for Canadian SCJs

The Canadian Region held its annual Regional Assembly August 15-18 at Queen of the Apostles Renewal Centre, in Mississauga, Ontario.

A major part of the gathering was devoted to a retreat guided by Fr. Byron Haaland of the U.S. Province. “From the examples of Moses, Samuel, Martha and Paul of Tarsus, Fr. Byron talked about SCJ spirituality,” said Fr. Maurice Légaré of Montréal.  “Fr. Byron said that SCJ spirituality invites each one of us to change the way we look at the world and at the persons we meet; to adjust our view as far as possible to God’s way of looking at us. Ours is also a spirituality of communion; communion between confreres, but also communion between each individual and God.”

On the second day Fr. Byron focused on the history of salvation.

Included in the assembly was a celebration of the region’s jubilians which included Frs.  Peter Sanders and Roger Phaneuf (50 years of profession), Fr. Aegidius Warsito (25th anniversary of vows), and Fr. Richard Woodbury (40 years of priesthood).

The final morning of the assembly was spent in a “business session” with updates and discussion of the concerns of the region.

Provincial’s Time

Fr. Tom Cassidy returns from India on Tuesday (August 23) and plans to be back in the office on Wednesday.  Next week he has Provincial Council meetings August 30-31.  On August 31 he also has the opening Mass for Sacred Heart School of Theology.  September 5 is the installation of the local superior of Sacred Heart Monastery.

A slideshow from the India ordinations is now available with the report about the event. Click here to view it.

Upcoming meetings and events:

August 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting
September 7: Installation of SHM local superior, 5 pm., main chapel
September 28: ESL Cultural Fair
October 2: Pet Blessing (SHST)
October 4-5: Provincial Council Meeting
October 17-20: European Conference on Secularity (Frs. Tom Cassidy of the U.S. Province and Fr. Bill Marrevee of Canada will attend the conference in Clairefontaine, Belgium)
November 8-9: Combined Councils Meeting of the U.S. and Canada (Ottawa)
November 14-16: SCJ Retreat, Pinellas Park
December 14-15: Provincial Council Meeting
December 18: Advent Concert, 2 p.m.