News & Events | June 15, 2026
Feast-day celebrations
On June 12, the main chapel at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology was packed for the celebration of Feast of the Sacred Heart. This year, the feast-day Mass took on special meaning as it was held just hours after the US Bishops consecrated the United States to the Sacred Heart in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary.
Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was the main celebrant at the SHSST Mass. He was joined at the altar by over a dozen SCJ priests as well as Dcn. Long Nguyen, SCJ, who was recently approved for priesthood ordination (it is scheduled for August 15 in Houston).
During the Mass, six people made their initial commitments as Dehonian Associates and four others renewed their yearly commitment. Presenting them to the assembly were the SCJs who helped to prepare the Associates: Br. Duane Lemke, Fr. Joseph Mukuna, Fr. Ziggy Morowiec and Fr. Tony Russo. Over the weekend Dehonian Associates also made commitments (or renewals) in Mississippi and Texas.
“Thank you to our SCJs, our associates, our alumni, our former SCJs, and friends of the Priests of the Sacred Heart for your courageous witness,” said Fr. Vien. “You are all a vital gift to our Dehonian family.”
Click here to read Fr. Vien’s full HOMILY.
Click here to read Fr. Vien’s LETTER for the feast.
Click here to view PHOTOS from the celebration.
Sr. Ramona talks about the ministry of the Dehonian pastoral team in rural South Dakota
The love of the Sacred Heart in action
Prior to the feast-day liturgy, Fr. Floribert Bulo Dhelo, SCJ, Sr. Ramona Pandan, MCM and Sr. Grecely Tangcogo, MCM, gave a presentation about Dehonian ministry on the reservations in South Dakota. Lower Brule, SD, is the birthplace of the Dehonian presence in the United States and just as when Fr. Matthias Fohrman, SCJ, first celebrated Mass there over 100 years ago, it continues to be one of the most economically challenged areas of the country. Job opportunities are minimal, “and so is the people’s sense of hope,” said Fr. Floribert. “Despair and the lack of hope are some of our greatest challenges on the reservations.”
For members of the Lower Brule Pastoral Team, theirs is a ministry of presence, of being with people and building trust. It means living Fr. Dehon’s call to “Get out of the sacristies and go to the people!”
“We try to give hope,” said Sr. Grecely. “They say ‘Sister, we need you here, Father, we need you here.’ And with that, we know that we are where we should be. We love these people and I love this mission. It is challenging, but it is where I should be.”
Click here to read more on the province website.
Celebrations throughout the province
On Friday, the Feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated throughout the province. Pictured above are SCJs in Mississippi following the feast-day Mass at Holy Spirit parish in Hernando. Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ, was the main celebrant, switching between Spanish and English during the liturgy, noting the growing Spanish-speaking population in the area. Joining the Mississippi community at the Mass were volunteer groups from Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, who were working on several projects with Sacred Heart Southern Missions during the week.
Click here to view more photos on the province Facebook page.
Esprit du Coeur reunion
Members of the Esprit du Coeur – alumni from province seminaries, including several of the minor seminaries once operated by the Priests of the Sacred Heart – came together for a reunion on June 11 at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. The event began with prayer in Good Shepherd Chapel led by Fr. Vincent Suparman, SCJ, followed by a social and dinner. The next day, many of the alumni joined SCJs at the Mass for the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
Click here to view a few photos from the evening on the province Facebook page. Note: you do not need to be a member of Facebook to view the photos.
2027 Province Assembly and Jubilee Celebration
During their meeting last week, the Provincial Council set the tentative dates for the next province assembly: June 1-3, 2027. The theme will be centered on intergenerational community life. The Province Jubilee Celebration is tentatively scheduled to take place during the assembly.
Please remember
+ Dr. Victoria Dawdy, the sister of Fr. Jim Schroeder, SCJ, died in her sleep on June 6, 2026. She was just two months short of her 79th birthday. Fr. Jim asks for prayers for her husband, Stephen Bilsbury, and her son Todd and daughter Amber and their families. There will be a private celebration of her life in August.
+ Fr. Giulio Carrara, a member of the Portuguese Province, died on June 9. He was born in 1930, professed in 1949 and ordained in 1958.
Reminder: Bridging cultural gaps in the parish
This Friday, June 19, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is hosting a conference titled “That They May Be One: Bridging Cultural Gaps in Your Parish.” The day-long event will focus on two sides of interculturality in the parish. The morning sessions will address changes in the demographics and ethnic backgrounds of congregations and communities. The afternoon sessions will focus on the challenges involved in connecting international priests with their American congregations.
Among those speaking at the conference: Bishop Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison, and Bishop James T. Schuerman, auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee. Other contributors will include representatives from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the Archdiocese of Chicago, the Diocese of Madison, the Diocese of Superior, the Diocese of Rockford, and the US Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
Click here for more information and to register. NOTE: the registration fee is waived for SCJs. Click on the appropriate box during the registration process to have the fee waived. Questions? Contact Pearce Pomerleau at: ppomerleau@shsst.edu
Frozen custard, sightseeing and much more!
Before the feast-day activities got underway last week, students and their adult chaperones from the five Dehonian elementary and middle schools in North America were in Hales Corners for the annual Schools in Collaboration Summer Experience. The week’s agenda included tours of Dehonian ministries in Wisconsin, visits to local tourist attractions, an SCJ trivia contest with members of the Provincial Council, and service projects.
Click here to view a mix of photos from the gathering. Many thanks to participants for sharing some of their images.
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