Eucharistic Pilgrimage visits SHSST
On June 24, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology hosted the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Pilgrims arrived at midday, spent time in Adoration (the benediction was done by Fr. Henry Nguyen, SCJ) and then began a procession through the seminary property and on to St. Martin of Tours parish in Franklin.
Click here to view photos from the SHSM visit and here for photos and video from the visit to St. Martin of Tours. Click here to read more about the national pilgrimage.
Last week of the chapter
This is the final week of the General Chapter in Rome. Among the significant moments of the chapter so far: the Superior General and General Council were elected, delegates had an audience with Pope Francis, deceased SCJs from 2018 – 2024 were honored (click here to view a video remembrance), the anniversary of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s first vows on June 28, 1878 was commemorated, and group work has begun on various topics and proposals, including the administration and use of financial resources.
“We identified several challenges, such as the lack of internalization of a spirituality of economy and the vow of poverty,” wrote Fr. Willyans Prado Raposo, SCJ, newly elected General Councilor. “It seems that we need to deepen our sense of belonging to a common family where we are responsible for each other. This consciousness must be fostered during the formation process and promoted among all members of the Congregation. We need to continuously educate ourselves for poverty. Fr. Carlos remembered our Constitutions number 95 regarding initial formation; the text speaks of a dynamic process helping us inoculate in our veins the value of fraternity, against the constant temptation of selfishness and egoism.”
Delegates are pictured above during last week’s “Dehonian Voices From Around the World.” Held in the main chapel at the Generalate in Rome, staff and delegates at the chapter took turns sharing songs of their home countries. It was a celebration of the languages, traditions and cultures of the world – of the CONGREGATION! Click here to view a video of the evening.
Continue to follow the chapter
Visit the general website and other communication platforms for continuing news of the General Chapter.
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The communications team hosts live program on its YouTube channel (live) Monday through Thursday at 9 p.m. Rome time; 2:00 p.m. central (Chicago). Languages vary within each show, depending on the guests.
Holy Father speaks to Dehonians
On June 27, delegates from the General Chapter, had an audience with Pope Francis. In his words to the Dehonians he reminded them to allow “the word ‘love’ to be written upon our flesh, that is, in the concreteness of our actions. And to do this with tenacity, steadfast in the face of searing judgments, distressing problems and the malice that pains our hearts; to do so tirelessly, with inexhaustible affection for every brother and sister, in solidarity with Christ the Redeemer in his desire to make reparation for the sins of all humanity…
“Dear brothers, may you persevere in your mission with that same faith and generosity! I thank you for all that you do, the world over. I bless you and all your confreres, I accompany you with my prayers and I ask you, please, not to forget to pray for me.”
Click here to read the full text.
SHSST in Rome
Last week a little over a dozen MA students and faculty from Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology were in Rome on their way home from Turkey. The group – which stayed at the Dehonians’ Villa Aurelia on the grounds of the Generalate – was welcomed to Rome by Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, and Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ and introduced to chapter delegates. Of course, the stop included a group visit to the nearby gelato shop.
Br. Bernard Taube: 1932-2024
Br. Bernard Taube, SCJ, died on June 26; he was 91. In recent years he had been under the care of family in Minnesota; he went into hospice just days before he passed.
Br. Bernie professed his first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart nearly 75 years ago (March 19, 1950), with the intent of being a farmer for the community. At that time, the province harvested much of its own food on farms attached to the seminaries. He worked at Sacred Heart Monastery (which now includes Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology), Sacred Heart Novitiate (Ste. Marie, IL), St. Joseph’s Retreat Center (Baileys Harbor, WI), Kilroe Seminary (Honesdale, PA) and Divine Heart Seminary (Donaldson, IN).
When the farms were phased out, Br. Bernie continued to attend to the maintenance needs of the province, but his fellow SCJs encouraged him to consider other options. After taking career counseling tests, he applied to Cardinal Stritch University and studied sociology.
“It was a little intimidating to return to school in my 50s,” said Br. Bernie. But he did it, and at the age of 58, earned his bachelor’s in sociology. He also earned an associate’s degree from Milwaukee Area Technical School.
Following graduation from Stritch, Br. Bernie worked for several years with Milwaukee’s SET Ministries (Service, Empowerment and Transformation), doing home visits and direct service.
Funeral arrangements will be on July 19 at St. Mary’s Church in New Trier, MN. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., Mass at 11:00 a.m. Those who wish to concelebrate need to contact Br. Frank Presto, SCJ, by the end of today so that he can seek permission from the diocese.
Please remember
+ Fr. Constantius Kristianto, a member of the Indonesian Province, died on June 28. He was born in 1965, professed in 1985 and ordained in 1995.
SHSST library gets an update
The Leo John Dehon Library at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is getting a well-needed update this week. When they were installed, the iconic floor-to-ceiling windows were adhered to the walls with little framing. This made it difficult to regulate the temperature and humidity levels in an area where environmental conditions are vital in maintaining the condition of the library’s resources. The original windows are being replaced with custom-framed glass. Begun a few days ago, the project is expected to take until July 8 to complete. Click here to view photos posted on the province Facebook page.
Hello from Vietnam!
Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, is pictured above with participants in the Final Vows Program of Asia in Vietnam. Last week he led a retreat for the program. He heads home on Wednesday, and next week Monday, July 8, begins his new assignment as interim president-rector of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
Fr. Raúl Gomez-Ruiz, SDS, concluded his term as president-rector last week to take on full-time leadership duties with his religious order, the Salvatorians. Fr. Ziggy Morawiec, SCJ, is attending to the president-rector duties this week prior to Fr. Tom’s arrival.
Happy Independence Day!
The Provincial Offices will be closed Thursday and Friday, July 4-5, for the Independence Day holiday. Also, please note that the Fridge Notes will be taking a break this month. There will be no issue published on July 15 or 22. If you have a news item that you would like included in next week’s issue (July 8), please send it to Mary Gorski by the end of the day on July 3.
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