News & Events | July 07, 2025
ECS summer session begins
Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, residential director of the ECS program (English and Culture Studies) at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology shares a few photos from the first days of the summer session, which included several local Independence Day celebrations.
There are approximately 25 students in the first summer session; most of whom live on campus. Testing and classwork began before the long holiday weekend; this week the students have a full week of classes.
The group is pictured above in front of SHSST on Independence Day and below at the Provincial Conference Center with Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center. On July 2, Fr. Joseph hosted a presentation about the Center’s resources and its work. He gave a brief reflection on Fr. Leo John Dehon and then opened the floor to questions. “Most questions focused on the beatification of Fr. Dehon, the concept of reparation, and the ministries of the SCJs in the world –– particularly in the US,” said Fr. Joseph. The students also toured the Archives and Vocation Office where they visited with Fr. Wayne Jenkins, SCJ (archivist) and Corrie Christiaansen (office manager and marketing director for the Vocation Office).
“The guest book in the Dehon Study center was signed by 25 people from various countries, including Brazil, India, Italy, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Haiti, Vietnam, and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” said Fr. Joseph, who offered his thanks to Monica Misey, Nancy Grzesiak, and Corrie for their help in preparing for the Open House.
And then it was on to the holiday weekend! The ECS students attended a concert at Whitnall Park, went to the Franklin parade, saw fireworks and enjoyed a Brazilian BBQ. “And, of course, Mass!” added Br. Andy.
Click here to view more photos from the past week. Our thanks to Br. Andy and to Fr. Jerry Mwembo, SCJ, and Fr. Christian Hoper, SCJ, for sharing them.
Transitions
On July 1, several SCJs began new assignments in the province, including Fr. Joseph Thien Dinh who transitioned from the formation team to his new role as Province Director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation.
“I firmly believe that our SCJ ministries in South Dakota, Mississippi, Texas, and Wisconsin already stand as powerful witnesses to the spirit of our founder,” wrote Fr. Joseph.
“The Dehonian ministries are a living testament to our faith and reflect the charism of Fr. Dehon… I envision that as we work together in the spirit of Fr. Dehon’s Sint Unum, we will stand for justice, work to promote peace, and help build God’s kingdom.”
Fr. Joseph welcomes input from SCJs and collaborators. Click here to email him.
Among others who have recently begun new assignments is Fr. Vincent Suparman, SCJ, who is now a part of the care team with the community at Sacred Heart at SHML. And as we noted last week, Fr. Jean Claude Mbassi, SCJ, is now with the Sacred Heart Community Pinellas Park, FL. Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, our ECS residential director, is also fairly new to his work, stepping into the role following the death of Fr. Yvon Sheehy, SCJ, in February.
Please remember
Kim Tyrell, 63, the wife of Mike Tyrell, died on July 2. She had been battling cancer for many years. Mike is the president of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. He and Kim first came to St. Joe’s in 1985 to serve as houseparents. Both have been involved with the school. Their son, Joe Tyrell, is Director of Mission Integration and active with the Province Dehonian Associates Committee.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Kim with a short service at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 13, at Cedar Shore Arrowwood Resort in Oacoma, SD, with fellowship to follow. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 14, at St. James Catholic Church in Chamberlain, SD.
Keep in prayer
Nancy Grzesiak’s son, Adam, had a significant heart attack last week, followed by open heart surgery. He remains hospitalized. Nancy is the administrative assistant at the Provincial Offices. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Vocation news
In a monthly update from the Province Vocation Office Fr. Henry Nguyen, SCJ, province vocation director, shared some of the recent youth initiatives of which he has been a part. Among them was serving as a chaplain at The Pines Catholic Camp, the Damascus’ Catholic Youth Summer Camp, and St. Joseph Church ‘s Youth Camp in Charlotte, NC. “These were opportunities for me to accompany youth and young adults in their faith journeys, as well as for them to discover who the Dehonians are.”
Next on the calendar is taking part in the Life Teen Summer Camp in Georgia from July 13-19, a Come and See Weekend at Sacred Heart Monastery from July 24-27, and the monthly Vocation Mass on July 24.
I have been blessed
As of July 1, Ann Owen officially retired from her job as SHSST’s digital services librarian. In a note to the SHSST community she wrote that “I am grateful for this community that has allowed me to live my faith in my workplace. I am awed by the countless caring colleagues and students who have supported me when I needed it. I have been blessed by the generosity, spirituality, and charism of the Priests of the Sacred Heart who have built this place and nurtured so many here and around the world. These have been rewarding years and I thank you for your part in them.”
The new digital services librarian is Katie Utschig, 414-858-4659. Katie is no stranger to SHSST; she has been a part of the SWITCH collaborative consortium for several years, which has involved regular visits to Sacred Heart.
Plenary indulgence for Dehonian Jubilee
Last week the General Administration in Rome shared news that the Apostolic Penitentiary granted a request for a plenary indulgence for Dehonians on August 12 in commemoration of the centenary of Fr. Leo John Dehon’s death.
“On November 5, 2024, the Superior General, with the consent of his Council, submitted to the Apostolic Penitentiary a request for plenary indulgence on the occasion of the centenary of the death of our Founder, Father Leo Dehon,” wrote Fr. Ângelo José Adão, SCJ, secretary general. “The initiative aimed to foster the spiritual renewal of the members of our Congregation and to strengthen the life of grace within our communities, extending this gift also to those who daily reside in our religious houses.
“The Apostolic Penitentiary favorably accepted this request, granting a plenary indulgence on August 12, 2025, to all Dehonian religious, as well as to all persons who dwell permanently in our religious communities.”
Click here to read Fr. Ângelo’s full letter with further details.
The legacy of Fr. Dehon
On June 27, Feast of the Sacred Heart, David Schimmel gave a presentation titled “The Legacy of Fr. Dehon.” The topic is something that he covered many times when he served as province director of the Dehonian Associates. But this presentation had a special focus: the impact of Dehonian spirituality on the lives of not only current SCJs, but of men who had studied with them or professed vows but later felt that God was calling them elsewhere. Many of those in attendance were members of the Esprit de Coeur – alumni of SCJ seminaries as well as former members of the community – who were in Milwaukee for a reunion.
“You wouldn’t be here today if you did not feel some connection with the SCJs and those who moved with you through the seminary system,” said David. “It’s flattering for the SCJs to believe that they passed on to us their spirit that has influenced our lives long after we parted ways with them. I surmise, however, that it is probably more accurate to say that each of us already possessed within ourselves, however vaguely, a spirit of generosity, altruism, initiative, creativity, and love for life. Likely, individual SCJs recognized in us a kindred spirit which they tended and fanned into flame. The process may have been unconscious and surely unstated, but they helped us recognize our inner spirit, and helped us know what to do with it. When we moved beyond the SCJs, we didn’t necessarily take something with us that we didn’t have before we met the SCJs, but we left with what we had brought with us confirmed, strengthened, and celebrated. This may not have been so evident if our departure was sad, upsetting, confusing, or disappointing, but with some distance and perspective, we sensed this was the case…
“A heart to love, which expands goodness in our world; a body to suffer, which embraces necessary pain for the benefit of others; a will to sacrifice, which, as the root meaning of the word suggests, makes sacred every intentional act: this describes us. We probably possessed these qualities before we met the SCJs, but the SCJs set those qualities on fire that is burning to this day.”
Click here to read David’s full text.
Tom Tucker, a former SCJ, is pictured above, during comments following David’s presentation.
Unity
The legacy of Fr. Dehon is also embodied in the SCJs’ Rule of Life, which is the backdrop of the monthly electronic publication As a Rule. The focus of the July issue is “Unity” with Rule No. 112 as a starting point.
“The call to unity is the core of our Dehonian spirituality, inspired by Fr. Dehon’s vision of a community united in love and purpose,” wrote Fr. Antonio Maria Resenmde Pereira, SCJ (left), a member of the Toronto community. “This unity is not about conformity but about harmonizing our diverse gifts and experiences to reflect Christ’s heart in the world. Fr. Dehon envisioned a community where each member, with his unique talents and perspectives, contributes to a shared mission that strengthens and enlivens our collective witness.
“Unity, in this sense, is like a tapestry woven from many threads. Each thread distinct, yet essential to the whole. It invites us to live with open hearts, ready to listen, adapt, and grow together. This dynamic unity requires commitment: to engage in dialogue, to honor differences, and to align our actions with the charism that binds us. Whether through prayer, service, or simply being present for one another, every step we take in community reflects Fr. Dehon’s dream of a family united in purpose.”
Frater Truc Tran, SCJ, an SHSST seminarian, continued the theme, writing: “May we continue to nurture this unity, not by ignoring our differences, but by celebrating the deeper bond that unites us all: our shared call to love God and love one another. In embracing unity, we not only uphold God’s teachings but also inspire others to build bridges rather than walls. It is through this shared fellowship that humanity moves closer to the vision of a world where peace, love, and understanding prevail.”
Click here to read both reflections in full.
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