News & Events | July 14, 2025
Bookmobile makes the rounds
During the summer months, St. Joseph’s Indian School sponsors a bookmobile that travels to communities throughout South Dakota to distribute free reading material for all ages and interests. Books by and about Native Americans are a staple in the book mobile’s resources. Publications are free to all visitors.
Besides distributing reading materials, the bookmobile also does outreach to St. Joe’s alumni, as well as families of current students home on summer vacation.
Click on the image above to view highlights from this year’s bookmobile tour.
Please remember
+Fr. Adelino Manuel Dias Ferreira, a member of the Portuguese Province, died of cardiac arrest on July 8. At the time, he was in Switzerland, preparing for a scouting activity. He was born in 1981, professed in 2000 and ordained in 2009.
+Tsala Lucie, the sister of Fr. Jean Claude Mbassi, SCJ, was hit by a car in Yaoundé, Cameroon and died soon after. She was 42. Fr. JC is a member of the Sacred Heart Community in Pinellas Park, FL
+ Albertus Arif Wijaya, the brother of Fr. Aegidius Warsito, SCJ, died July 7 in Indonesia. He was 73. Fr. Aegi is a member of the Toronto SCJ community.
Keep in prayer
Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, asks for prayers for his brother-in-law, John Albers, who is currently in the hospital suffering from pancreatitis and other undetermined complications. Tests are being done. John is the husband of Fr. Tom’s sister, Jane.
Vow renewals
The US Province Vow Renewal Ceremony will take place on August 12, 2025, in the Main Chapel at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. It will also be a moment to commemorate the Centenary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon.
The Mass will be at 4:30 p.m. Dinner in the SHSST dining room will follow. All SCJs and collaborators with the Dehonians are welcome. If you plan to attend, you are asked to RSVP by August 1 to: rector@shsst.edu
Governing the province
Shortly before the Provincial Election Assembly in June we asked a former and current provincial superior to reflect on Rule of Life No. 127, for the monthly publication As a Rule. The passage addresses the job of the provincial superior, in particular, stating that the “task of animating and governing the province belongs to the provincial superior.”
Reflecting on that, Fr. John Czyzynski, SCJ (pictured above), wrote that “For me, animating my brothers meant that I needed to spend more time with them so that I could get to really know them, to truly listen to them, to affirm them and call forth the best in them. That is what animating my brothers means to me. As provincial I believe that No. 127 of the Constitutions called me to be a life-giver among my confreres.
“As I reflect on the other main task of provincial leadership – namely, to govern – I think of what Jesus said in the twenty-second chapter of Luke’s gospel. He said that among the Gentiles those in authority lord it over others. It was not to be so among His followers. In Jesus’s company those in authority were to serve the others. The provincial and council, in their role of governing, are to serve the members of the province in discerning what is God’s will for us as a province: Where is God leading us? What is God asking of us? The provincial and council are to listen to the membership and listen to one another and endeavor to discern together where God is calling us.”
Click here to read Fr. John’s full reflection, as well as that of Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ.
Fr. Vien –– along with the newly elected Provincial Council –– will begin a new leadership term on August 1.
A spirituality for all times
In honor of the centenary of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s death, a short video about his life and legacy is now available. Just under three minutes, it introduces Fr. Dehon to people who know little about him.
Click here or on the image above to view the video.
The Office of Dehonian Associates thanks Dcn. David Nagel, SCJ, Fr. Jim Schroeder SCJ, and Fr. John Czyzynski, SCJ, for their assistance with this project.
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