News & Events | July 28, 2025
Transitions
On Thursday and Friday (July 31 – August 1), the out-going and in-coming Provincial Councilors will meet at the Provincialate in Hales Corners. The new administration begins on Friday. During a liturgy with the councilors Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, will make his Profession of Faith to begin his second term.
“Our Cst. 127 underscores the provincial superior’s vital role in ‘animating and governing the province’ with the support of the council,” wrote Fr. Vien in the June issue of As a Rule. “I have always been drawn to a team-oriented leadership model, guided by the belief that the councilors are deeply committed to the province’s well-being and future. I am also inspired by an African proverb that emphasizes the strength of collaboration: ‘If you want to walk fast, walk alone; if you want to walk far, walk together.’ I often remind the council that a collective effort of six minds surpasses that of one. Consequently, the council has served as a platform for me to articulate my ideas and plans for the province.
“I am committed to making sound decisions and fostering a hopeful future for the province. This commitment requires transparency, consistent communication with the councilors, and consideration of their perspectives. Furthermore, I have always wanted the council to know about the more significant challenges that I occasionally face. I welcome and appreciate their insights and support.”
Members of the 2025-2028 US Provincial Council: Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ, Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, Dn. David Nagel, SCJ, Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ, and Fr. Hendrik (Ardi) Ardianto, SCJ. Fr. Ardi, the final councilor elected, is pictured above receiving congratulations from Fr. Quang during the Election Assembly in June.
Keep in prayer
Yesterday, Fr. Chuck Wonch, SCJ, was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Tests are being done regarding his heart and kidney functions. He is at the main campus of Ascension-Franklin on south 27th Street, Room No. 3115.
John Albers, the brother-in-law of Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, is back in the hospital (ICU) after vomiting large quantities of blood. John had been in Luther Manor (Milwaukee) for rehabilitation following earlier hospitalization for pancreatitis. Please keep John and his family in your prayers. John is married to Jane, Fr. Tom’s youngest sister.
And finally, please keep Br. Diego Diaz’ father in your prayers. Br. Diego, a member of the Argentine-Uruguay Province, served in the US for several years. He writes: “My father was admitted to the hospital. He is in a coma and cancer has metastasized to his lungs. We are praying that God hears our prayers and that he can depart in peace. His name is Roberto Diaz. Please also pray for my mother, Martha. They have been married for over 60 years. This is a difficult time for my mother.”
Save the date!
PROVINCE RETREAT – The dates have been set for the next province retreat. It will begin on Monday evening, June 1, 2026, and run through noon on Thursday, June 4 at the University of St. Mary of the Lake (Mundelein Seminary). More details will be shared in the months ahead. Pictured above: Fr. Floribert Bulo Dhelo, SCJ, and Fr. Ed Zemlik, SCJ, at a 2024 retreat at the Siena Center.
DILEXIT NOS – On August 12, 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.
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 (this Friday!) to: rector@shsst.edu
Upcoming birthdays
First, happy birthday to Fr. Peter McKenna, SCJ, whose birthday is tomorrow, July 29. Fr. Peter is a member of the Toronto community. Those celebrating birthdays in August include Fr. Steve Pujdak on Aug. 2, Br. Ray Kozuch on Aug. 22, Br. Frank Snider and Br. Frank Presto on Aug. 28, and Fr. Herman Falke on Aug. 31. Turning 97 this year, Fr. Herman, a member of the Ottawa community, is the eldest SCJ in North America. Happy birthday!!
Happy retirement!
Not only is Br. Frank Presto, SCJ, celebrating a birthday in August, he also celebrates the start of his retirement. This Thursday, July 31, is his last day as provincial secretary, a job that he has held for many years. The new provincial secretary will be appointed during this week’s council meetings.
ECS on the road
The ECS program at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology teaches English as a second language (or third or fourth or…) but does so while also teaching students about some of the cultures found within the United States. Since many of the ECS alumni go on to serve in pastoral settings in the US, this is a vital component of the program. Throughout the summer, the ECS program does field visits to locations in Wisconsin and Illinois.
July 16, the ECS students traveled to Green Bay where they received a special tour of the Cathedral of Saint Francis Xavier. The class was greeted by Fr. John Girotti, Vicar General of Green Bay, who talked about the ministries and communities in the diocese. The ECS group ended the day at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, where they spent time in prayer and reflection after learning about the site’s remarkable history.
The previous week students and teachers toured several sites in Milwaukee, including Marquette University’s St. Joan of Arc Chapel, Old St. Mary’s Parish (which was established the same year as the City of Milwaukee) and the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist. Dr. Paul Monson guided the group and illustrated the way in which the city and the Catholic Church evolved together. The ECS group also toured Milwaukee’s City Hall and took a Historic Boat Tour on the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan.
Click here to learn more about the ECS program.
SHSST staff head back to school
Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, SHSST president-rector, shares the following “Please join me in prayer for five of our faculty members – Jeremey Blackwood, Charles Hughes-Huff, Gary Klump, Katherine Milco and Paul Monson – as they begin two weeks at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore in pursuit of ecclesial degrees to help us maintain accreditation for granting ecclesial degrees ourselves.
“These five will participate in a second summer session next year, and I thank them for their commitment and dedication. We pray that the process is rewarding for them individually and enriches the work of our corporate mission as Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.”
Come and See!
The Province Vocation Office staff extends its gratitude to the Sacred Heart Monastery community for hosting last weekend’s Come and See event; thanks also to all those who helped with and prayed for the success of the weekend. The two visiting discerners, Alex and Jeremy, enjoyed their time getting to know more about the Priests of the Sacred Heart, as well as taking the opportunity to pray and reflect on their vocations. Both expressed their gratitude for the hospitality of the community and how they felt blessed by their experience.
Among the weekend’s activities: dinner with St. Joseph’s Community at SHML, visits to the Basilica of St. Josaphat, Our Lady of Champion and Holy Hill, hearing the vocation stories of several of our SCJs, a volleyball game with ECS students and – of course! – a visit to Kopp’s for frozen custard.
The next Come and See Weekend is planned for the fall. The Vocation Office asks that you “Continue to use the ‘P.I.E.’ method to promote vocations: Pray, Invite and Encourage any young man who you think has a religious vocation and would be a good fit for our community.”
If you would like to learn more about how to help a young person in vocational discernment, contact the Province Vocation Office at 414-529-4255, vocations@dehoniansusa.org. Or click here to go to the Vocation page of our province website.
We pray:
Loving God, You call all things into being and bring order out of chaos. Jesus calls to us, “Come follow Me.” Open many hearts to hear Your voice and give them the courage to respond. Grant them the grace to persevere in following Your holy will. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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