Another ordination!
Just a few weeks after the ordination of Fr. Greg Schill, the U.S. Province celebrated the ordination of his classmate, Fr. Duy Nguyen. The ceremony took place at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology on June 11. Bishop Joseph Potocnak, retired bishop of De Aar, South Africa, was the ordaining bishop.
“My prayer,” said the bishop during his homily, “is that Father Duy will find as much satisfaction and joy in his priesthood as I have.”
[Click here to read Bishop Potocnak’s full homily]
Before entering candidacy, Fr. Duy studied at the University of Illinois in Champaign. He later transferred to the University of Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree in Information and Decision Sciences (he describes it as a mix of computer and business skills).
Fr. Duy graduated from Catholic Theological Union in 2010. He broke up his studies three years ago with a pastoral year based in Lower Brule, S.D. Before professing final vows and preparing for his diaconate ordination last fall he spent the summer in Argentina doing language studies.
“I never considered diocesan priesthood,” said Fr. Duy as he prepared for his ordination. “I thought about the priesthood in general, but never diocesan. I explored another religious congregation in addition to the SCJs, but never the Chicago archdiocese nor another diocese. My idea in the beginning was to serve God as a priest, but somehow I discovered community first, a community where it just ‘clicked.’”
Fr. Duy will return to ministry in northern Mississippi where he has served as a deacon since last fall.
Click here to read the full story.
Click here to view an on-line photo album from the celebration.
Feast of the Sacred Heart at the Sacred Heart Shrine
All SCJs are invited to come to the Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart at the Sacred Heart Shrine at 11 a.m. on July 1. Priests are welcome to concelebrate; Fr. Tom Cassidy will be the presider and homilist.
In addition to the Mass and luncheon, there will be a silent auction at Sacred Heart Monastery. Auction items are available for viewing and bidding on the Province Development Office website. Go to www.poshusa.org and click on “Ways to Help.” Items include sports memorabilia, such as a Packer football and autographed baseballs, travel packages, electronics, art, tickets to different attractions and festivities, and much more.
On Saturday, July 2, the office will host a bus tour to Holy Hill, the Schoenstatt Center and St. Joan of Arc Chapel. To learn more about the tour, or for questions about the feast-day activities at Sacred Heart Monastery, contact Carrie Beuning at 414-425-3383 or cbeuning@poshusa.org.
A casserole of mixed accents
If you want to hear a casserole dish of English accents, spend some time in an SCJ community in the Philippines.
English, along with Filipino, is one of the two official languages of the Philippines. But for many, it is a second (or third, or fourth) language.
Filipinos who may be new to English are joined in formation by students from Vietnam and India; students who may also be struggling with a new language.
Added to this mix are the SCJ missionaries who serve the Philippines. English is the official language of the district yet there are generally no native English-speakers among its membership.
“The students hear English with Brazilian, Argentine, Italian, Polish and Indonesian accents,” said Fr. Bernie Rosinski. “They seemingly hear every kind of English except that of a native speaker.”
To enhance students’ English skills, and to introduce them to other members of the international congregation, the district invites native English-speaking SCJs to spend a few weeks, or even a few months, with the Philippine formation community.
“I was like a visiting uncle,” said Fr. Frank Wittouck, about his experience with the Philippine students in 2010. “I helped them with their English simply by speaking with them and sharing stories of the congregation as well as my own vocation.”
This year it was Fr. Bernie who headed to the Philippines to spend time with the students. Armed with a degree in linguistics from Georgetown University, he looked forward to applying what he had studied years ago to an ESL (English as a Second Language) program.
A feature, as well as a slideshow, about Fr. Bernie’s time in the Philippines is available on the province website. Click here.
Province assembly
Members of the U.S. Province are reminded that the province assembly begins on July 11 at 4 p.m. with the Province Jubilee Celebration at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology. A social and dinner will follow.
Tuesday and Wednesday will begin with prayer in the Sacred Heart Chapel at 8:30 a.m. The first session (held at the Provincialate Conference Center) will begin at 9:15 and lunch will be at noon. Mass on Tuesday will be at 4:30 and on Wednesday it will be at 4 p.m. On Thursday, the morning starts the same as the previous two days with prayer at 8:30 and the first session at 9:15. However, Mass will be at 11:30, followed by lunch. The assembly concludes with the final Mass.
SCJs who need a room are asked to contact Marlene at Sacred Heart Monastery. You can call her at 414-425-8300, and hit “0.”
Questions regarding the assembly should be directed to Fr. Jack Kurps.
Jubilee invitations
As noted above, the July 11 jubilee celebration will be the kick-off for the province assembly. Mass is at 4 p.m. and a reception and dinner will follow. You can RSVP either by phone or email to Mary Gorski at 414-427-4266 or marygorski@sbcglobal.net. Invitations are in the mail.
Those being honored this year include Br. John Monek and Bishop Joseph Potocnak for 50 years of vows, and Fr. Tom Fix (a member of the Indonesian Province originally from the United States), Fr. Tom Lind, Fr. Vincent McDonald, Fr. Richard Johnston and Fr. Charles Yost for 60 years of religious life.
Update
Fr. Tim Gray will be in a program at the St. Louis Consultation Center. His address for the next few months:
Vincentian community
13245 Tesson Ferry Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63128
He notes that his cell phone and email are the same.
From the Treasurer’s office
Auto insurance cards for 2011-12 went in the mail last week. They will be distributed by either the local coordinator or treasurer, or for laity who drive SCJ vehicles, by the organization to which the vehicles are assigned (such as Sacred Heart Southern Missions or St. Joseph’s Indian School).
If you do not receive your card in the next few days, or if you have questions about the insurance, contact Kevin Stanke at 414-427-4270 or by email at provtreas3@poshusa.org
Provincial’s time
Fr. Cassidy is in Seattle until June 20 for the USCCB’s Spring General Assembly.
Upcoming meetings and events:
July 1: Feast of the Sacred Heart, Mass at SHST, 11 a.m.
Week of July 11: Province Assembly, Hales Corners, Wis.
August 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting
October. 2: Pet Blessing (SHST)
October 4-5: Provincial Council Meeting
November 14-16: SCJ Retreat, Pinellas Park
December 14-15: Provincial Council Meeting
December 18: Advent Concert, 2 p.m.
