News & Events | July 13, 2026
Happy anniversary!!
This month the Sisters of St. Francis Charitas (FCh) celebrate their 100th anniversary. Srs. Marince (Leonora) Sitohang and Susana Susmiyarti, who minister with Sacred Heart Southern Missions, are members of the Indonesian-based community. Over the weekend the two teamed up with volunteers at Queen of Peace parish in Olive Branch, MS, to host an anniversary Mass and reception. Fr. Jack Kurps, SCJ, and Fr. Hendrik (“Ardi”) Ardianto, SCJ, were the celebrants.
The FCh Sisters have had a long partnership with the Priests of the Sacred Heart. One hundred years ago, Dutch SCJs serving in Sumatra invited the community to collaborate with them in Palembang, Indonesia. Now, the SCJ and FCh communities serve together in several parishes and schools in Indonesia and operate an orphanage and retreat house.
One hundred years after the Dutch called, the SCJs invited the FCh Sisters to partner with them again in mission; this time in the United States. Srs. Leonora and Susana arrived in Mississippi last December.
Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, traveled to Indonesia to take part in the community’s primary anniversary celebrations. He is pictured above with the Mother Superior and General Council of the FCh Sisters.
“The celebration on July 9 was truly something to behold,” wrote Fr. Vien. “I had never before been in a room with 300 sisters from the same community. It was like a sea of white habits—filled with laughter, songs, smiles, and enough energy to carry the mission into the next hundred years.
“One of the most touching moments was the procession of younger and older sisters walking side by side. It was religious life at its best: the energy of the young and the wisdom of the old, hand in hand. That day, I saw that beautiful truth come to life.”
Click here to read Fr. Vien’s full letter.
“He included everyone and made them feel at home”
Teacher, student, formator, retreat leader, artist, friend, brother, uncle, caregiver, patient, animal lover and jokester… stories of these and many more chapters of Fr. Byron Haaland’s life were shared last Thursday during the vigil for him and Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
“He was so funny,” said Fr. Jim Schroeder, SCJ, in his homily, “’crippled with silliness’ as my sisters called him – but so talented, spiritual and deep… However, his greatest gift was creating relationships with his embracing, comfortable love for all. He included everyone and made them feel at home, with him and with Jesus. He could ‘jolly’ anyone into liking him.”
Click here to read Fr. Jim’s full homily.
Fr. Jim was the main celebrant at the Funeral Mass and Fr. Jack Kurps, SCJ, a novitiate classmate of Fr. Byron’s, stood alongside Fr. Jim at the altar.
During the Vigil prior to the Funeral Mass, Fr. Jim spoke about Fr. Byron’s last hours after he had suffered a cardiac arrest. Doctors were able to briefly restart his heartbeat, but it was too weak to continue. Fr. Jim described the scene in the hospital: medical personnel surrounded Fr. Byron, praying for him or simply holding him in their hearts, draping him with a quilt. That quilt was placed on Fr. Byron’s coffin for the vigil, and then given to his sister, Julie, as a remembrance.
Our apologies to those who tuned in for the livestream. Shortly before the start of Mass the computer in the chapel shut down. Thankfully, Jenny Drzewiecki – on loan to us from St. Martin of Tours parish – was able to start the livestream on a phone, but we realize that many people were unable to connect to the new link. We hope that the photos help you to get a sense of the celebration of Fr. Byron’s life.
Click here to access the online album.
Please remember
+ Fr. João Heidemann, a member of the Brazil – Taubaté Province, died on July 9. He was born in 1933, professed in 1955 and ordained in 1959.
+ Fr. Czesław Bloch, a member of the Polish Province, died on July 10. He was born in 1944, professed in 1961 and ordained in 1970.
+ Fr. Rodolfo Bonci, a member of the North Italian Province, died on July 11. He was born in 1938, professed in 1959 and ordained in 1965.
Fridge Notes summer break
No Fridge Notes will be published on July 20 or 27. If you have time-sensitive news that needs to be shared during that time, please contact Corrie Wurster or Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ, at the provincial offices.
International Dehonian Theological Seminar livestream
The 7th International Dehonian Theological Seminar will be held July 30 to August 4 at the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté (Brazil).
The program includes six sessions featuring presentations and discussions on specific areas of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s writings, led by the continental theological commissions. For example, the African commission (CTDAF) will address Fr. Dehon’s “Correspondence”. The European Commission (CTDEU) will present a lecture on biographical writings, focusing on Notes Quotidiennes 35–45. The North American Commission (CTDNA) will present research on the spiritual works, focusing on an analysis of “Crowns of Love”. The Asian Commission (CTDAS) will address articles, prioritizing the texts from the journal “Chronicles of the Southeast”. Finally, the Latin American Commission (CTDAL) will explore Father Dehon’s social writings, with particular attention to the “Social Catechism”.
Anyone is welcome to view the livestream of the events which will be carried on the Faculdade Dehoniana YouTube Channel.
Click here to access the seminar’s website for scheduling information.
Speaking of…
Speaking of seminars, don’t forget that the Dehon Study Center is hosting the first of a three-part colloquium inspired by Magnifica Humanitas on August 12 (note that this is a Wednesday, NOT Thursday as misstated in last week’s Fridge Notes). The theme: “Human Dignity in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Click here for more information. The event –– which will be held in-person at the Provincial Conference Center and via livestream – is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to go directly to the registration page.
Questions? Contact Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center: 414-427-7265 or jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org
August birthdays
Those celebrating birthdays in August include Fr. Floribert Dhelo Bulo on Aug. 8, Br. Ray Kozuch on Aug. 22, Br. Frank Presto and Br. Frank Snider on Aug. 28, and Fr. Herman Falke on Aug. 31 Fr. Herman, a member of the Ottawa community, is the eldest SCJ in North America; he turns 98 this year. Happy birthday!
Click here to subscribe to the weekly news (Fridge Notes) via email