Classes begin
Last week the summer ESL program (English as a Second Language) got underway at Sacred Heart School of Theology. This is one of the largest summer classes in recent years: 35 students representing 11 countries including Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nicaragua, Poland, Spain, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Among the SCJ students is Br. Roberto Garcia Murciego, SCJ, vice-general secretary of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. Approximately 25% of the congregation are alumni of the program.
Welcome!
The Sacred Heart Community at SHML welcomes Br. Brian Tompkins, SCJ, a member of the Canadian Region.
“In November I received my diploma, a master’s in Theological Studies from St. Augustine’s Seminary and the University of Toronto School of Theology,” said Br. Brian. “I hope that my theology and spiritual training combined with my previous experience of working with the elderly in several different environments can help me in the future to do ministry with seniors.”
Br. Brian hopes to not only serve our retired SCJs, but the senior community as a whole at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. Beginning August 1, the apartments for the general public will begin to fill. Construction on the second wing of public apartments will begin soon after.
“My interest in ministry to seniors began in my childhood,” continued Br. Brian. “I was surrounded by many elderly relatives. Each person brought his or her unique wisdom and joy to family gatherings small and large. From these experiences that continued into adulthood I looked more seriously at working with the elderly.” Br. Brian added that he has been influenced by the research of Dr. Richard Johnson in “spiritual gerontology.” Dr. Johnson has worked with and done presentations for the province.
“There is much to look forward to and much to develop,” said Br. Brian. “I look forward to learning from Fr. Jim Brackin, SCJ, and my other SCJ confreres. I thank him and the SCJ retirement community for their warm welcome of my presence among them.”
Inspired by SCJ missions in South Dakota and Mississippi
Fr. Agustinus Guntoro, SCJ, is in the United States for the summer ESL program. Originally from the Indonesian Province, he has ministered in India and the Philippines. He arrived in Hales Corners in early June, several weeks before his English classes were to begin so Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, suggested that he take the opportunity to visit a couple of the province’s ministries. During his travels he maintained a journal. Keep in mind, he wrote this before beginning his English classes. Fr. Guntoro will be the first to tell you that what he knows of the language is primarily self-taught. “I write with broken English,” he said.
It may be a bit broken, but it easily expresses Fr. Guntoro’s enthusiasm for his visits and his future mission.
Click here to download the PDF with his reflections.
On the blog
“As I travel, I notice one charism that seems common to most SCJ places I have ever visited; SCJs make large investments in improving the well-being of society,” wrote Fr. Tim Gray, SCJ, on the province blog last week.
“So far,” he continued, “in Brazil I have only visited the orphanage and social service centers at Sao Judas in Sao Paulo, the school of philosophy/theology in Taubate (serving the entire archdiocese), the drug treatment center, community clinic, vocational school and the retreat house here in Lavras. There are many other such institutions in Brazil which serve the church and society, places where SCJs choose to invest their resources in ‘promoting the reign of the heart of Jesus in people and in societies.’”
Click here to go to the province blog.
Updates
Fr. Paul Kelly, SCJ, is now a member of the Sacred Heart Monastery community at P.O. Box 566, Hales Corners, WI 53130-0566. His room number is 312A and his phone extension is 6962 (414-425-8300).
Province jubilees and assembly
The province assembly begins tonight (July 9) with the Jubilee Celebrations at 4:30 p.m.
Those honored include Frs. Thomas Cassidy, Mark Fortner, Patrick Lloyd and Steve Pujdak who note 50 years of vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart, and Frs. Don Barnd and Bernie Rosinski who celebrate their 60th anniversary as SCJs. Click here to read biographies of the jubilarians.
Check the province website and Facebook page later this week for photos from the celebration.
The assembly gets into full swing on Tuesday morning and includes an evening Comedy Sportz performance at the Provincial Conference Center. The assembly ends midday on Thursday, July 12.
Rule of Life
The printed copy of the Rule of Life WITH the U.S. Province Directory is available at the Provincialate Offices. Participants at the province assembly are encouraged to pick up a copy; they are on a table across from Nancy Gray’s desk. Those who would like to have their copy mailed to them should contact Nancy at 414-427-4261 or email her at [email protected].
General Conference
Over 75 SCJs and lay educators from Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America will gather July 15-21 for the General Conference in Neustadt, Germany.
The theme of the conference is “Educare,” an encompassing view of education that goes well beyond the classroom. “It is not just teachers in a school who contribute to the growth of a person’s character,” said Fr. John van den Hengel, SCJ, vicar general, “it is all of us, in whatever mission or job in which we are involved, who have an impact on the young.”
As with the General Chapters, reports and photos will be posted during the event. All SCJs in North America will receive the reports by email. However, anyone is welcome to be on the mailing list. Click here if you would like to be added to receive the reports.
Provincial’s time
Fr. Tom Cassidy will celebrate his 50th jubilee this evening and then take part in the province assembly before heading to Germany for the General Conference and Major Superiors meeting. Fr. Cassidy will be in Europe July 14-26.
Upcoming meetings and events:
July 9-12: Province Assembly, Hales Corners
July 16-21: General Conference, Neustadt, Germany
July 23-25: SCJ Major Superiors Meeting, Neustadt, Germany
August 28-29: Provincial Council Meeting
October 11-12: Provincial Council Meeting
October 12: Dedication of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake
December 18-19: Provincial Council Meeting
2013:
January 29-30: Provincial Council Meeting
March 19-20: Provincial Council Meeting
April 8-9: Mission Education Conference, St. Joseph’s Indian School
April 30 – May 1: Provincial Council Meeting (budgets)
Week of June 3: Province Election Assembly.
