News & Events | July 21, 2025
Not forgotten
Today is the third anniversary of the disappearance of Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ. It was on July 21, 2022, that he was last seen on security footage leaving Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. After countless searches and investigations there are still no clues as to what happened to Fr. Anthony or where he may have gone. He suffered from dementia.
We continue to keep him, his family, his friends and his Dehonian confreres in our prayers:
Loving God,
You call all things into being
and bring order out of chaos.
In this time of remembrance, help us to trust in your Heart
even amid sorrow, questions, and loss.
Be with Fr. Anthony, whom you called to service,
In your mercy, direct those who may help us find him.
Grant us also willing hearts to remain steadfast in hope,
May our prayers, our longing, and our love
be a light on the path that leads to him.
We entrust Fr. Anthony to your loving hands, O Lord,
and to the mercy of the Heart of Jesus.
Amen
Coffee and conversations
Fr. Tony Russo, SCJ, was last Tuesday’s speaker at the “Coffee and Conversations” series at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. These are informal, hour-long presentations during which members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart share a bit about themselves and their years of ministry.
Originally from Chicago, Fr. Tony is 86. He learned about the Priests of the Sacred Heart when he was in primary school and was impressed by stories he heard about their missionary work. This year, Fr. Tony celebrates 68 years in vows with the SCJs and 59 years as a priest.
He began studies with the community as a young teen in the minor seminary. Those studies eventually brought him to Rome, where he spent four years as an international student. He also spent time on the other side of the classroom, teaching Latin, and later designing an internship program for seminarians at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
In Texas, he ministered to Spanish-speaking communities in San Antonio and Houston. “I was told to evangelize, but the people there evangelized me,” he said. Serving in Texas, he became more and more aware of social justice issues in the area. Eventually Fr. Tony became the Justice and Peace director for the US Province. He also served as Personnel Director.
Fr. Tony’s last full-time parish assignment was as pastor of St. Martin of Tours parish in Franklin, where he was a part of the team responsible for the building of a new parish church. Before retiring in 2008, Fr. Tony assisted at several parishes in southern Wisconsin. He is now a busy author, creating booklets and videos based on stories that he has shared over the years in his ministries.
Please remember
+ Francisco Vendelino Schimidt, a member of the South Brazilian Province, died on July 18. He was born in 1942, professed in 1969 and was ordained a priest in 1974.
Final session on Dilexit nos
On August 12, the centenary of the founder’s death, Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, will present the final of a three-part series on “Dilext nos and Fr. Dehon.”
Those in the Milwaukee area are invited to take part in the session in-person at the Provincial Conference Center. Coffee and pastries will be available at 9:30 a.m. and the presentation will be from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. There will be time for Q&A after.
The presentation will also be available online via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=82612443183
Meeting ID: 834 236 3189
CLICK HERE if you plan to attend in-person.
CLICK HERE to access video recordings of the first two sessions.
Video about Fr. Dehon: updated link
Please note that the link to a three-minute video about Fr. Leo John Dehon (noted in last week’s Fridge Notes) has been updated. Click here to access it.
Vocation Mass for July
The monthly Vocation Mass for July will be on Thursday, July 24 at 11am in the Provincialate Office Chapel. All are welcome! If you would like to assist at Mass as a reader, please contact the Vocation Office at 414-529-4255 or vocations@dehoniansusa.org
This month’s Mass coincides with a Come and See Weekend. Two young men, Jeremy and Alex, will be visiting from July 24-27.
Plenary indulgence
The secretary general shares updated information on the official decree regarding the plenary indulgence granted on the centenary of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s death. Fr. Ângelo José Adão, SCJ, writes:
“According to what is established in the decree of the Apostolic Penitentiary, the plenary indulgence is granted on 12 August 2025 to all the religious of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and to all the faithful who, truly repentant, devoutly take part in the liturgical rites celebrated in our communities or in any church entrusted to the Congregation, on the occasion of the solemn celebrations in honor of our Founder, the Servant of God Fr. Léon Dehon.
“The indulgence may also be obtained by offering, on that day, suffrage for the souls in purgatory.”
Click here to access the letter and the decree.
Leadership prep
In April, Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, was named to the new leadership team of St. Joseph’s Indian School. In preparation for that role, he and others from the school attended the Society of Human Resources Management conference held in San Diego.
“There were approximately 15,000 participants from throughout the United States and from 80 countries,” he wrote. “The conference had a series of workshops which included topics such as spirituality, health and wellness, ADA and other topics pertinent to the workplace. Human Resource professionals and corporate leaders attended from their respective organizations.
“This was a great opportunity to meet so many people from throughout the world and gain valuable insights on workplace management and wellness.”
Pictured here with Fr. Greg are Kasey Kroupa, HR payroll manager for St. Joseph’s, and Allyssa Hoffer, Human Resources Director.
Life Teen Summer Camp
Our thanks to organizers of last weekend’s Life Teen Summer Camp in Georgia, who sent us the photos below. Fr. Henry Nguyen, SCJ, our province vocation director, was a part of the camp staff. “We were so grateful for Fr. Henry’s presence; his wit really connected with the youth,” wrote Tim Westgate of Life Teen.
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