News & Events | August 04, 2025
A new term begins
Last Friday, August 1, the newly elected administration of the US Province began its three-year term.
For Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, who on June 10 was re-elected as provincial superior, the day was a midpoint between meetings. On July 31 and August 1, out-going members of the Provincial Council met with the in-coming council. During the council’s morning liturgy on the second day, Fr. Vien made his Profession of Faith and recommitted himself to the ministry he has served in since 2022. He is the 16th SCJ to lead the US Province.
The 2025-28 Provincial Council: Fr. Hendrik (Ardi) Ardianto, SCJ, Dn. David Nagel, SCJ, Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ, and Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ.
During the August 1 meeting, the new council appointed people to the following positions:
Provincial Vicar –– The council voted to approve Fr. Rafael Querobin as Provincial Vicar. This is a new, and slightly different position than “vice provincial.” It is a part of the 2024 revision of the US Rule of Life, No. 115.
Provincial Secretary –– The council voted to approve Br. Duane Lemke as Provincial Secretary.
Provincial Treasurer and Mission Procurator –– The council voted to approve Dn. David Nagel as Provincial Treasurer and Mission Procurator.
Recording Secretary –– The council voted to approve Mary Gorski as Recording Secretary.
Major Superiors meeting
One of the first things on Fr. Vien Nguyen’s calendar in his second term is a trip to France to take part in the Major Superiors meeting of the congregation from August 8-13 in Saint-Quentin, near the birthplace of Fr. Leo John Dehon. As a part of the Centenary of the founder’s death, the group will visit several sites of significance in the founder’s life.
Please remember
+ John Albers, the brother-in-law of Fr. Tom Cassidy, died on August 2. He had entered hospice care last week. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Commemoration of the founder
Next week Tuesday, August 12, is the Centenary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon. Events are planned throughout the province to commemorate the day. As noted previously, the final session of a three-part series on Dilexit nos will be held on that day. Sponsored by the Dehon Study Center, the hour-long presentation begins at 10:00 a.m.; Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, is the presenter.
Those in the Milwaukee area are invited to take part in the session in-person at the Provincial Conference Center. Coffee and pastries will be available at 9:30 a.m. and the presentation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. There will be time for Q&A after.
The presentation will also be available online via Zoom:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=82612443183
Meeting ID: 834 236 3189
CLICK HERE if you plan to attend in-person.
CLICK HERE to access video recordings of the first two sessions.
Vow renewals
Also on August 12 will be the US Province Vow Renewal Ceremony. It begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Main Chapel at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Dinner in the SHSST dining room will follow. All SCJs and collaborators with the Dehonians are welcome. Note that the RSVP date for the dinner has passed. If you have not RSVP’d and are planning to stay for the dinner, please send an email ASAP to: rector@shsst.edu
Prayer vigil
The general administration shares a prayer vigil for the Centenary on August 12. In it are quotes about the founder from SCJs throughout the world, including Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center in Hales Corners. He writes:
“For me, Father Dehon is more than a historical figure. He is a spiritual guide whose life and teachings inspire me daily to act with compassion and to promote peace and justice through love –reflecting the Heart of Jesus. […] Father Dehon believed that education is essentially a formation of the heart. It must go beyond the simple transmission of knowledge; it must shape character, cultivate virtues, and nurture a deep love for God and humanity. He emphasized that true Christian education respects the dignity of each person and helps individuals develop their talents to achieve both personal fulfillment and union with God. Furthermore, he taught that educators must be attentive to the spiritual and intellectual needs of their students. This holistic vision of education is expressed in the more than 50 Dehonian educational institutions around the world, including the Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology and the Dehonian Study Center. This principle also guides my work […].”
An excerpt of Fr. Joseph’s text, along with others from the prayer vigil, have been made into graphics that will appear during the next week on province social media. We encourage you to share them with others. Included below is one of the graphics with a text from Fr. Wim Halters, SCJ.
Click here to download a PDF of the prayer vigil. It was prepared by SCJs in the Netherlands.
Centenary materials
Click here to access Centenary materials compiled by the Dehonian Associates office.
Click here to access a three-minute biographical video about Fr. Dehon, done by the Dehonian Associates office in collaboration with the Province Development Office.
Calendar items
August 5, 11:00 am: Provincial Council meeting via Zoom
August 12, 4:30 pm: Vow Renewals at SHSST at 4:30 p.m.
August 19-20: Provincial Council meeting
August 27: Meeting of Young Dehonians (Zoom)
September 23-24: Provincial Council meeting
October 23-24: SHSST Symposium on Dilexit nos / Sacred Heart devotion
October 28-29: Provincial Council meeting
December 8: Diaconate Ordinations
December 9-10: Provincial Council meeting
January 20-21, 2026: Provincial Council meeting
March 3-4: Provincial Council meeting
March 9-14: Dehonian Jubilee Celebration in Quito, Ecuador
April 21-22: Provincial Council meeting
June 1-4: Province Retreat
June 9-10: Provincial Council meeting
Summer break
There will be no Fridge Notes published next week, August 11. The next copy will be on August 18.
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