Celebrating “the very love of God”
“I think this is one of the greatest feasts in the church year and certainly my favorite, because this solemnity celebrates not just an historical event but the very love of God, the Heart of God, as present in the Heart of Jesus,” said Fr. Jim Schroeder during his homily at the Feast of the Sacred Heart liturgy at Sacred Heart Monastery on Friday. With Fr. Stephen Huffstetter still in Rome preparing for his new assignment on the General Council, Fr. Jim stepped in as the main presider at the annual celebration with benefactors and other friends of the community.
“His loves calls us to open our hearts to others as He does,” said Fr. Jim. “Our new General Superior, Fr. Heiner Wilmer, preached on this in his Mass of Thanksgiving. He quoted Bishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador, whom Pope Francis just beatified: ‘It is unconscionable for anyone to call him or herself Christian and not have a preferential option for the poor’ – and he meant poor in the full spectrum of the word. Our Rule of Life says that ‘Christ identified with the lowly and the poor.’ Fr. Dehon lived that love ‘for the humble, the lowly, the workers and the poor.’ Can we love like that? Does our love move us to such reparation?”
Click here to read Fr. Jim’s homily in full.
Click here to view photos from the feast-day celebration.
Other feast-day moments
Special activities took place throughout the province in conjunction with the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In Raymondville, Texas, people gathered at Our Lady of Guadalupe parish for a special Mass concelebrated by the OLG pastor (Fr. George), Fr. Richard MacDonald and Congolese SCJ Fr. Francois Tsanga, who works at the nearby San Juan Basilica.
“Fr. Frank Clancy touched quite a few lives here with his care for the sick and dying,” said Fr. Mac. Fr. Frank was honored by the OLG community during their feast-day celebrations.
Feast-day letter from the new general administration
The newly elected general administration used the Feast of the Sacred Heart as the backdrop for their first letter to the Dehonian Family.
“On this Feast of the Sacred Heart we write to you with great joy,” wrote Fr. Heiner Wilmer and his council. “We have experienced the fruits of many missionary efforts as Dehonians from 40 countries gathered for the 23rd General Chapter, just concluded in Rome. We are pleased to present the works of this chapter, which are attached as an addenda, for your reflection… [Click here to download the final message from the chapter]
“We would like to express our warmhearted gratitude to former Superior General Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho, his council and treasurer: Fr. John van den Hengel, Fr. Paulus Sugino; Fr. Cláudio Weber, Fr. Albert Lingwengwe and Fr. Aquilino Mielgo Domínguez. They hand us over a congregation enriched with openness and new opportunities. We thank God because our predecessors took care of the congregation by leading it in a creative way. We are delighted to continue this heritage.”
Click here to read the full letter.
Election assembly timelines
Br. Frank Presto would like SCJs to know that the letter convoking the election assembly for August 24-28 will be in today’s mail (June 15). The Provincial Council will review details regarding procedures and the daily schedule during their conference call on June 30. Once finalized, they will be forwarded to the membership.
The deadline for an SCJ to remove his name from the list of candidates for provincial superior and/or provincial councilor is NOON on Monday, June 22. Those who wish to remove their names need to do so in writing to the provincial secretary (Br. Frank).
“Please continue to remember all of us in prayer as we prepare for this assembly,” said Br. Frank.
Keep in prayer
The father of Br. Long Nguyen, Mr. Vien Van Nguyen, was diagnosed with lung cancer on Friday. Doctors are waiting for him to regain some strength before proceeding with chemotherapy. Br. Long thanks the community for their prayers and support.
Updates
Fr. Ed Kilianski has a new email address for use during his time as interim provincial superior: provsup@usprovince.org. Fr. Stephen Huffstetter will be using the other “provincial superior” address for a few weeks.
Br. Brian Tompkins has a new mobile: 414-239-0715
Construction in front of SHSST
If all goes as planned (and weather permitting) demolition work for the remodeling of the parking lot in front of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology will begin this week Wednesday or Thursday.
Initial work will involve the removal of several trees from the area in front of the building. To accommodate this, the driveway circling to the right (north) at the flagpole will be blocked, both front and rear. Those who wish to park in the back lot will need to travel around the back of the building to enter and leave, or come in from the Rawson Road driveway (past Dehon House). There should be extra parking available in the student lot on the south side of the building if needed during this time.
New library entrance signs will also be installed during the process.
Closing shot
Pictured below are SCJs at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Houston after the Sacred Heart Mass on Friday. From left to right: Br. Andy Gancarczyk, Fr. Duy Nguyen, Fr. Ed Kilianski (interim provincial superior), Fr. Peter Mastrobuono and Fr. Richard Johnston. Fr. Zbigniew Morawiec, OLG associate pastor, celebrated the feast in his native Poland.
