News & Events | August 24, 2026
Back to school!
Throughout the province, staff and students are in the midst of “back to school” activities. Pictured above is Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ, during the Opening Mass at Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS. In his homily, he reminded students of the school’s theme for the year: “Live by the Spirit,” based on Ephesians 4:32:
“Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”
Fr. David encouraged students to live out these words each day, reminding them that kindness, compassion, and forgiveness will help create a peaceful and welcoming school community, one in which everyone is called by name to be a valued part of the school family.
At St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD., staff had a little fun putting together a welcome-back video based on the “Friends” television show theme, “I’ll Be There for You.” Click here or on the image below to view it.
Speaking of St. Joe’s…
St. Joseph’s Indian School begins the new school year with an updated website for families and prospective students. It is also a site for employment opportunities and applications, as well as a connection point for the school’s alumni. Click here to access it.
Features on the SJISKIDS.org site include “Hóčhoka,” a video podcast series that explores Native American topics, as well as the people and programs that are a part of the St. Joseph’s Indian School family. Click here to view recent episodes.
Currently, main story on the opening page of the website is about the 50th Annual St. Joseph’s Indian School Powwow, September 17-19 (the powwow itself is on Saturday, Sept. 19). St. Joseph’s powwow is unique in that it is for tiny tots through teens only. Approximately half of the student body takes part in the powwow, joining youth from neighboring communities.
Fr. Hugh (left) with Fr. Jan de Jong, SCJ, and Dr. Patrick Russell following SHSST’s successful accreditation process.
Funeral arrangements
As we noted last week, Fr. Hugh Birdsall, SDS, professor emeritus at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, died on August 14. At SHSST he taught pastoral care classes for 20 years until his retirement in 2011. Reflecting on those years, Fr. Hugh said that he tried to prepare his students “for down-to-earth interactions and not theoretical or philosophical approaches.” Click here to read the full obituary on the Salvatorian website.
The Visitation and Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Hugh will be on Wednesday, August 26 at Holy Spirit Chapel – Avina Living, 9301 N. 76th St., Milwaukee. The visitation begins at 10:00 a.m. and the Mass will be at 11:00 a.m. with a light luncheon to follow. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. at the Salvatorian Cemetery on Loretto Hill – St. Nazianz, WI.
Video recordings now available
Video recordings of both sessions of the August 12th Colloquium “Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” are now available on the DehoniansUSA YouTube Channel. Click on the desired link below:
Dr. Khaled Tannier (first session)
Fr. Rick Manalo, CSP, Ph.D (second session)
Click here to access a page on the province website that includes links to the handouts and PowerPoint from the presentations.
Click here to read the August 21 Milwaukee Catholic Herald article about the colloquium.
Kayak Mass
As a young priest in Poland, Fr. Karol Wojtyła, later Pope St. John Paul II, famously organized wilderness outings with youth and university students. During these excursions, he often celebrated Mass using an upturned kayak or canoe as a field altar. Join Fr. Ziggy Morawiec, SCJ, vice rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, as he celebrates an outdoor Mass in the tradition of the pope.
Anyone is welcome to join the SHSST community for the Mass. The evening schedule:
Closing pic
Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, president of St. Joseph’s Indian School, was on the receiving end of a several students’ super-squirters during the school’s recent Welcome Back Picnic. “Fr. Greg certainly does it all, including bravely entering a water battle with a crowd of energetic kids!” said Hillary Kroupa, a member of St. Joseph’s staff.
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