Summer camp at OLG
Postulants Jacob Smith and Jonathan Nguyen-Vuong were among those who helped organize this year’s Altar Servers Summer Camp at Our Lady of Guadalupe, Houston, July 6-8. The camp included time for prayer, presentations, and training sessions, but also games and a closing field trip to Lake Conroe.
Jacob and Jonathan are pictured above during outdoor prayer with camp participants. Click here to view a photo album on the OLG Facebook page. Many thanks to Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, for the pictures.
Congratulations to the Lux Center!
The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology will be receiving a grant of $11,000 from the Harri Hoffmann Family Foundation to support 2021-2022 programs. Congratulations to Bonnie Shafrin, director of the center, for the successful grant application.
Also, the Lux Center recently announced recipients of its annual “Sister Rose Thering Award.” They include Fr. Wayne Jenkins, SCJ, who along with Dr. Steven Shippee, will receive the “Building Bridges Award.” Bonnie Shafrin said that the center was recognizing Fr. Wayne “for his longtime dedication to interreligious relationships.” The Sr. Rose Thering Award Dinner will be on November 4 at the Boerner Botanical Gardens (Whitnall Park, near SHSST). More information about the dinner will be available in the weeks ahead.
SHSST Vlogs
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology has begun producing short videos with the theme “One Minute With…” introducing staff, seminarians, students, volunteers and administrators.
Click here or on the image above to view the most recent video, which highlights Dn. Steve Kramer. Dn. Steve is Director of Homiletics at SHSST, Director of Recruitment, and an Associate Professor in Pastoral Studies.
Click here to access all of the SHSST vlogs.
Please remember
+ Fr. Antônio Marcondes Barbosa, a member of the Brazil – São Paulo Province, died on June 30. He was born in 1950, professed in 1975 and ordained in 1981.
+ Fr. Lotívio Antônio Finger, a member of the South Brazilian Province, died on July 5. He was born in 1954, professed in 1977 and ordained in 1985.
+ Fr. Adrian Borst, a member of the Dutch Province, died on July 5. He was born in 1932, professed in 1952 and ordained in 1957. Many SCJs in North America may remember Fr. Adrian from his years on the General Council (elected in 1985), and later as general archivist of the congregation.
+ Fr. Lorenzo Franchini, a member of the North Italian Province, died on July 8. He was born in 1930, professed in 1947 and ordained in 1956.
+ Maria Liem Nguyen, the grandmother of Frater Phong (Paul) Hoang, died June 29.
St. Joseph’s Bookmobile completes summer tour
The St. Joseph’s Indian School Bookmobile wrapped up a busy summer on Thursday, July 8. The community outreach program made stops in 42 communities, zig-zagging South Dakota to serve more than 1,300 children and adults. Forty-one alumni came out to visit with Alumni Liaison and Bookmobile Coordinator Andy Lepkowski and the crew.
In addition to Andy, 11 of the school’s staff volunteered this year, several of them family service counselors hoping to connect with families and students. Two summer interns from the University of Notre Dame were also a part of the six-week experience.
The Bookmobile distributed nearly 6,500 books, 1,800 of which were Native American books by Native American authors.
“I found that whatever minor challenges we experienced along the way, there was never any question as to the value of our efforts,” wrote Luisana Gonzalez DiTillio, one of the summer interns. “Why is that? Well, it’s the same reason why in towns under 1,000 people, hours away from campus, we still met multi-generational alumni and their families. It is because the Bookmobile is St. Joseph’s Bookmobile, and at the heart of St. Joe’s mission is an unquestionable commitment to serving the Native American community for generations of families…
“Over the six weeks, as I witnessed and learned about cultures and communities that were different from mine, I was profoundly moved by the importance of connection, the importance of reaching out, through and beyond books. It reaffirmed on some level my passion for reading and it reified my passion for working with children. For these reasons among many others, I am deeply grateful for the experience of interning with the Bookmobile, for meeting and interacting with the lovely St. Joe staff, and for meeting the amazing visitors of the Bookmobile.”
Luisana (right) is pictured with fellow ND intern Bianca Contreras Lopez.
Coming home to SHM
As he prepared to travel back to Sacred Heart Monastery in Hales Corners, WI, Frater Henry Nguyen, SCJ, wrote that “I cannot believe that I am wrapping up my 14 months of being away from the monastery, closing this unique and unplanned chapter of my life. I believe that this past year, I have been able to grow so much more, more than I could ever imagine, with my experience working in social work, and taking part in an immersion experience in Ecuador, in a culture and language that is unfamiliar to me. If you asked me a year ago about Ecuador, I would have told you that what I had planned was going to Chile for a year. And we all know, that clearly didn’t happen. But to navigate in an unknown country during the midst of a pandemic, where resources weren’t readily available, I took a leap with faith. Yo creo que yo estoy mejor por esa experiencia.
“As I return to the monastery, I carry hope for the future. I am reenergized to complete this next year… As far as I can remember, I have carried this rosary with me everywhere I go. It has always given me comfort and peace, as that I am never alone. Thank you anh hai for this precious gift.”
Frater Henry spent the past year in pastoral ministry in Mississippi and Ecuador. He returns to continue his studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
Keep in prayer
Fr. Roger Phaneuf, a member of the Canadian Region, was hospitalized with pneumonia and is also being monitored following a fall. His condition is reported to be slowly improving. Please keep him in prayer.
Home in Cameroon
In May, Fr. Edgard Biankeu, SCJ, completed his Master’s Degree in Christian Spirituality at Loyola University in Chicago. On July 5, he returned to his home province of Cameroon to begin ministry with the formation (student) program there. Before leaving he wrote a letter of thanks to those who have been a part of his life in the US Province during his years of study. Fr. Edgard writes:
“It is written in the Book of Ecclesiastes that there is a time for everything under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3: 1). Indeed, there is a time to come and a time to return. I look forward to returning to my hometown with the parchment I came for: a master’s degree in Christian Spirituality with a focus in Spiritual Direction. I am also delighted to have experienced many other dimensions of this country, namely: the culture, the meals, American English, and the climate, to name a few. I recommend myself to your prayers as I return to my hometown. I will always pray for all of you.
“Lord Jesus, transform me in the power of your Holy Name and Spirit that I may walk confidently in your truth and goodness. Make me an instrument to continue the mission of your Church so that the faith may be firmly planted in the heart and mind of all your people to whom you send me to serve.”
Updates
Fr. Louis Mariano Fernandes, SCJ – The application for Fr. Louis’ R1 visa application was approved. He will be assigned to the SCJ community in Mississippi.
Fr. Thi Pham, SCJ – He has been assigned to serve St. Benedict parish and Sacred Heart parish in Yankton, SD. His new address is in the online directory.
Fr. Duy Nguyen, SCJ – Fr. Duy is back with the Sacred Heart Monastery Community, where he will assist with the formation team.
Fr. Greg Murray, SCJ –– Fr. Greg begins his new ministry this month in the archdiocese of Gatineau (St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. Columban, St. Malachy and Our Lady of Victory). He will reside at St. Aloysius Gonzaga parish; his address has been updated in the online directory.
Reunion reminder
A reminder: there will be an all-class reunion of students from Divine Heart Seminary on Saturday, September 25, 2021. It will take place at Bobak’s Signature Events, 6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge, IL 60517. Mass will be at 4:30 pm, followed by cocktails. Dinner will be at 6:30 pm. The cost is $75 per person, which includes a sit-down dinner and a four-hour open bar.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency, 1400 Corporetum Dr., Lisle, IL, 60532, (630) 853-1234. A shuttle bus will be available to take guests to and from the banquet hall. The room cost will be $114 per night, which includes breakfast for two. When making reservations, indicate that you are with the reunion.
Keith George (class of 1975) writes that “This is the same location as last time in 2016. Many of us booked rooms for Friday and Saturday night. On Friday most of us met in the hotel bar and had an impromptu get together which turned out to be a good time! We encourage everyone to start contacting classmates in each of your classes to get the word out.”
Questions or concerns? You can contact Keith at (630) 327-3721 or Mike Whalen at (847) 721-5331.
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