News & Events | January 05, 2026
Letting the Holy Spirit guide us
After over a year in the ECS program at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, Fr. Christian Hoper, SCJ, joined the Mississippi community just in time to celebrate Christmas.
Fr. Christian
“I received a beautiful opportunity to serve at Christ the King Catholic Church for the celebrations on December 24–25,” he wrote. “It was my first time experiencing Christmas ministry there, and it became one of the most meaningful moments in my Dehonian journey.
“What touched me most was the role and participation of the children during the Christmas Eve Mass. I hadn’t known beforehand that the liturgy would be dedicated especially to them. The children served as the choir, the lectors, and even presented a charming drama about the birth of Jesus. Watching their enthusiasm and innocence brought a deep sense of joy to my heart.
“But I must admit — when I saw how many children were present I suddenly realized that the homily that I had prepared would not make much sense to them. It was too complex, too adult. They moved my heart and so right there, in the moment, I decided to change my homily.
“I invited the children to come forward to the altar. We sat together on the floor, forming a little circle. The children were so excited, yet they listened with such calm attention. We talked together about the meaning of Christmas. ‘Why are celebrating this special night?’ I asked them, and then explained that Jesus was born into the world because He loves us — God’s love is for people.
“And from that simple truth, I invited them to learn how to respond to God’s love by what I call the ‘Three L’s’:
“Love your God,
“Love your parents,
“and Love your neighbor and friends.
“It was a beautiful moment of connection — simple, joyful, and full of the spirit of Christmas. And for me, it was a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful ministry happens when we let the Holy Spirit guide us in the moment.”
Fr. Christian is a member of the Indonesian Province, now ministering in the United States.
Prayers for the people of Venezuela
Fr. Joseph Thien Dinh, SCJ, province director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, writes the following:
“Last weekend, the United States launched airstrikes on Venezuela and captured its president. Pope Leo XIV expressed concern about the development and is following the situation closely. He writes, ‘With a heart full of concern, I follow the evolution of the situation in Venezuela… the good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration.’ He also called for respect for the rule of law and human and civil rights.
“Fr. Dehon viewed war as a grave moral disorder caused by sin and injustice. He connected peace to devotion to the Sacred Heart, stating, ‘As long as societies reject Christ, they lack justice and peace. War results from a world without the Heart of Jesus.’
“The Dehonians have been present in Venezuela since 1953. Please keep them and all the people of Venezuela in your prayers”.
Fr. Dehon’s Christmas sermon
A reminder that the Dehon Book Club will meet this Friday, January 9, at 1:00 p.m. (central).
“As we will still be in the Christmas season, we will look at Fr. Dehon’s 1871 Christmas Sermon,” said Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center. “The theme of our discussion will be ‘Christmas and the Incarnation: Ancient Heresies, Contemporary Cultural Expressions, and the Christological Response of Fr. Léon Dehon.’”
Click here to access Fr. Dehon’s 1871 “Sermon for Christmas Day.”
Anyone is welcome to take part. Participants are welcome to participate in-person at the Provincial Offices or via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81515880849
Question for reflection from Fr. Joseph: “How does Father Dehon’s Christmas sermon from 1871 address both ancient and modern heresies related to the Christmas story and the doctrine of the Incarnation? Please identify specific errors and explain how Dehon explicitly or implicitly refutes them in his message. Provide one or two citations to illustrate.”
The question is optional. You do not have to answer it in order to participate in the discussion.
If you have questions for Fr. Joseph you can contact him at: Jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org.
Also on the calendar…
Other dates to note in the upcoming months:
This week, Jan. 6-7, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology hosts its annual preaching conference. This year’s theme is “Words that Bind Us: The Connection Between the First Reading and the Gospel.” Dn. Steve Kramer , SHSST Director of Homiletics, is the conference organizer.
The spring Provincial Council meeting dates are Jan. 20-21, March 3-4, April 21 (with the Canadian administration), April 22-23 (US Council), and June 9-10.
The Province Retreat will be June 1-4, and the Feast of the Sacred Heart is on June 12.
Please remember
+Fr. Liam Rooney, a member of the British-Irish Province, died on December 26. He was born in 1939, professed in 1962 and was ordained in 2002.
Our SEEK2026 vocation team
SEEK26
Members of our vocation team had a busy start to the year visiting with young people at SEEK 2026 – Columbus. SEEK is a five-day experience (Jan. 1-5) where thousands of Catholics come together to encounter Christ through prayer, Adoration, the sacraments, and inspiring speakers. This year’s SEEK was held in three locations: Columbus, Fort Worth and Denver. Initial estimates show that over 26,000 people took part, with the largest group (16,100) in Columbus.
“Be open to what the Lord has in store for you,” Pope Leo XIV said in a video address to SEEK participants. “…as you draw close to Jesus through this weekend, through fellowship, the sacraments and Eucharistic Adoration, do not be afraid to ask him what he is calling you to… If you sense the Lord calling you, do not be afraid. Once again, let me emphasize that he alone knows the deepest, perhaps hidden, longings of your heart, and the path that will lead you to true fulfilment. Let him lead and guide you!” Click here to read the full text of the Pope’s message.
Pictured above are those who staffed our Dehonian booth at SEEK: Fr. Marius Saputra, SCJ, Fr. Jack Kurps, SCJ, Victoria Stirek (youth minister in northern Mississippi and a member of the Province Vocation Committee) and Fr. Hendrik (Ardi) Ardianto, SCJ (Vocation Director).
If you or someone you know has a question about religious life, the priesthood or vocation discernment, click here to contact our vocation team.
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