News & Events | January 12, 2026
Preaching pointers
“How do we move people to action with our preaching? How do we ignite their hearts? We must live what we are preaching. And always, the first step in preparing a homily is to pray. To preach, we must be based in prayer.”
The quote is from Fr. Mark Mastin, SCJ (pictured above, far right), speaking during the concluding panel discussion at last week’s 8th Annual Preaching Conference held at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
“I was delighted that this year’s conference brought together wonderful speakers who broke down the various levels of meaning for key words used in the readings for the upcoming Lenten season,” said Fr. Mark. “Many attendees expressed their appreciation for the way each speaker uncovered new and profound meanings in familiar biblical words. For example, Dr. Charles Hughes-Huff discussed the Hebrew words hesed, torah, and yir’â—each addressing different aspects of God’s relationship with us and our relationships with others, encompassing concepts such as mercy, love, obedience, and a mother’s commandments to her children, etc. Dr. Katherine Milco explored the distinction between Kairos and Chronos, explaining how one refers to God’s qualitative, opportune moments with humanity, while the other represents quantitative, linear time.
“Rabbi Joshua Herman examined a passage from 1 Samuel 16, analyzing the word ‘ruddy’ used to describe David. He explained that this word can refer to hair or skin color, connect to Adam (the earth), and be associated with blood, life, and even the birthright of Esau, Jacob’s twin brother, and Isaac’s son, as recounted in Genesis 25…
“The conference was a profound opportunity to deepen our understanding of scripture and enrich our preaching for the Lenten season.”
From Venezuela
In light of the recent events in Venezuela, Fr. Juan Manuel Yépez, SCJ, regional superior our of Dehonian entity there, writes the following to fellow SCJs, associates and collaborators around the world. It is translated from the original Spanish and was shared by the general administration:
“Please accept our most fraternal greetings and our deepest gratitude. Knowing that we are present in your prayers and that you care about our well-being is a great comfort to us and confirms that our fraternity transcends all borders.
“In view of the recent events, we understand that, from the outside, they may be perceived with a different impact than how they are truly experienced from within. For this reason, we wish to convey to you, with serenity and confidence, our sense of calm. We continue our community life as usual; during these days, several of us have been able to spend time with our families in the spirit of Christmas, while continuing our missionary service. We remain faithful to the charism of ‘being united to Christ in his love for the Father and for humanity.’
“Amid uncertainties, we strive to be men of prayer, bringing hope to our people, accompanying our communities, and trusting, as always, in the goodness of the Lord. Your concern is a clear sign that we are not alone; your prayers are undoubtedly our strength. We ask you to continue praying for Venezuela, for its people, for all the congregations serving here, and for the peace and justice we long for. From here, we also raise our prayers for each one of you.
“With gratitude and united in the Heart of Jesus, May the peace of the Lord, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7).”
The Priests of the Sacred Heart have ministered in Venezuela since 1953. PHOTO: Jesus Celis following his reception of the ministries of lector and acolyte last year in Venezuela.
Link to Dehon Book Club discussion
Click here to access a video recording of last Friday’s Dehon Dehon Book Club discussion, hosted by the Dehon Study Center. The focus was Fr. Dehon’s 1871 Christmas Sermon, with the theme: “Christmas and the Incarnation: Ancient Heresies, Contemporary Cultural Expressions, and the Christological Response of Fr. Léon Dehon.”
February’s Book Club gathering will feature the movie “Wake Up Dead Man,” a murder mystery investigation where the priest is the main suspect. The story explores faith and the power of belief. The movie will be shown in the SCJ TV room at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake on Friday, Feb. 6, from 1-4 p.m. There will be a short discussion after the movie; snacks and beverages will be provided.
Questions? Contact Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, at: Jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org.
On the other side of the building…
The Dehon Study Center will host a showing of the movie “Robot and Frank” on Monday, February 16, from 1-3 p.m. in the resident library at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. The showing is primarily intended for lay residents at SHML, but SCJs who may have missed the previous showing are welcome to attend. There will be a short discussion after the movie; snacks and beverages will be provided. Please note, the resident library only seats 15 people; seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
Update
As of the start of the new year, Corrie Wurster is splitting her time between the Vocation Office and the Provinciate.
Corrie’s email address for Provincialate concerns is: CWurster@usprovince.org
Dehonian Leadership Minute
The Dehonian Leadership Institute has begun sending its “Monthly Minute,” a series of quotes and reflections on leadership, based on the writings of Ven. Fr Leo John Dehon. The January quote from the founder:
“A good superior therefore is to govern not with his own human heart; but, somehow with the Heart of Jesus with whom they are, as it were, made one and the same by reason of love.”
This quote comes from a letter Fr. Dehon wrote in 1919 to the superiors of his formation houses. Today, it can challenge leaders to reflect on how to lead with love, in union with the Heart of Jesus.
If you are interested in receiving the monthly email, please contact Monica Misey, director of Dehonian Associates, at: mmisey@dehoniansusa.org or 414-427-4267.
Keep in prayer
Fr. Christianus Hendrik, SCJ, has been hospitalized in Sioux Falls, SD, to address some recurring medical issues. Please keep him in prayer.
Please remember
+Fr. Yam Fridhomulya, a member of the Indonesian Province, died on January 6 .He was born in 1955, professed in 1981 and was ordained in 1984.
+Fr. Wilbert Bekedam, a member of the Dutch Region, died on January 8. He was born in 1956, professed in 1991 and ordained in 1996.
+Fr. Roger Phaneuf, a member of the Canadian Region, died on January 11 in Montreal. He was born in 1938, professed in 1961 and ordained in 1967.
Writing about his vocation in 2010 for a regional publication, Fr. Roger noted that he “grew up and was educated in a modest family where the Christian faith was the guiding light of our daily lives…
“The first Sacred Heart priest whom I met was Fr. Jacques van Hoek; he ministered at my parish: Notre-Dame-de-Grâce in Longueuil (Ville Jacques-Cartier). A year after I met him he asked ‘Have you thought about becoming a priest?’ He taught me to know and love the Congregation. He was a support in both the good and bad times of my journey.”
Fr. Roger entered the SCJ seminary in Pointe-au-Chêne, Quebec, soon after.
Following his ordination in 1967, Fr. Roger returned to the seminary as a professor and student life director for 10 years; he then entered parish ministry, which he continued until his retirement in 2009.
“I love my confreres,” he wrote. “Their fraternity is precious to me.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
St. Joseph’s featured on TV segment
St. Joseph’s Indian School was recently featured on “KELOLAND Living,” a program hosted by KELO-TV in Sioux Falls, SD.
Neoma Harris, Scott Beyer and Daryl Thuringer talked about employment opportunities at St. Joseph’s, specifically at the Mission Advocacy Center. Click here to view the segment.
Remembering MLK
The Provincial Offices will be closed next Monday, January 19, to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. No Fridge Notes will be published. The next issue will be on January 26.
“I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.”
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in his Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech,1964.
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