News & Events | June 16, 2025
Reelected!
Just a week ago members of the US Province were arriving in Milwaukee to elect a provincial administration for the 2025-2028 term. By lunchtime on Tuesday, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was reelected to a second three-year term as provincial superior. By midday on Thursday, the last of the five-member Provincial Council was in place.
Prior to his election to his first term in 2022, Fr. Vien, 51, was vice rector and assistant professor of Scripture Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He professed his first vows in 1997 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2004. In 2018 he earned a doctorate from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA. He also earned a Th.M, and S.T.L. from Santa Clara University, and an M.Div. from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Fr. Vien has served in parish ministry and formation, as well as on the Provincial Council. Originally from Vietnam, he immigrated to the United States as a teen; his family is based in Houston.
In his final words to the assembly Fr. Vien expressed his deep gratitude to members of his first Provincial Council. “I can’t thank you enough for your support, patience and pastoral sensitivity to me during these past few years,” he said. “You were there for me… wherever God leads you in ministry know that you have my support.”
Fr. Vien talked about priorities for the next administration including the need to make the congregation better known in the United States. “We all must help with that,” he said. “Wear the Dehonian cross, talk about SCJ spirituality in homilies. Encourage collaborators to take part in our initiatives for the laity. Make time to be at province events; your presence sends a strong message.”
Vocations, formation and continued collaboration with SCJ entities and other religious communities will continue to be priorities. “But it is important to remember that our goal is not just to increase numbers, but to welcome people who will truly contribute to the life and mission of our province.”
Fr. Rafael, Dn. David, Fr. Vien, Fr. Quang, Fr. Francis and Fr. Ardi
New Provincial Council
The newly elected Provincial Council begins its term on August 1; it includes two SCJs from the previous council.
Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ, was the first to be elected. Born in Vietnam, he is 48, professed his first vows in 1998 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2005. Fr. Francis is currently associate pastor at St. Martin of Tours parish in Franklin, WI. Previously he has served as district superior of Vietnam (two terms, ending in 2022), and has taught at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He is also the local superior of the St. Joseph Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.
Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, returns to the council after having served as vice-provincial during Fr. Ed Kilianski’s administration. Originally from Vietnam, Fr. Quang, 60, professed his first vows in 1995 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2000. He has served in parish ministry in Texas, New York, and California, and as province Vocation Director. He was also superior of the Sacred Heart Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. Currently, he is a campus minister at the University of Houston.
Dn. David Nagel, SCJ, served on Fr. Vien’s first council. He is 74, was professed in 1972 and ordained to the diaconate in 2003. Currently province treasurer, Dn. David previously served as executive director of St. Joseph’s Indian School, and on the formation team. He has also been active with the Dehonian Associates Committee and has served on the General Finance Commission.
Like Dn. David, Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ, served on the Provincial Council during Fr. Vien’s first term. Originally from Brazil, Fr. Rafael is 45, professed his first vows in 2001 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2007. Until recently he was pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Houston parish. In June he moved to Milwaukee to start his new assignment with the province formation program. He is originally from Brazil.
Fr. Hendrik (“Ardi”) Ardianto, SCJ, was the fifth and final member elected to the Provincial Council for the 2025-28 term. Originally from Indonesia, Fr. Ardi, 35, came to the US Province in the spring of 2019 to study English in Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology‘s ECS program. He then served briefly in South Dakota before joining the pastoral team that ministers to six parishes in northern Mississippi; he currently serves as moderator of the team. Fr. Ardi entered the minor seminary in 2004, professed vows in 2010 and was ordained as a priest in 2018.
Click here to read more about the assembly.
Delegates take an informal vote by hand
Statement regarding immigration
The protests in Los Angeles regarding immigration raids were on the news throughout the week of the Election Assembly. Responding to the statement released by Archbishop José Gómez of Los Angeles, the assembly endorsed a statement of its own, stating that “We stand with Archbishop José Gómez in his call for restraint and calm and also urge Congress to reform our immigration system…
“We echo our founder’s call to seek creative solutions to the challenges of our nation and our world, but always with compassion and respect to individuals and society. We pray that love and reconciliation may prevail over fear and hate. We have a special love for the poor and marginalized, the migrant, the worker, and all those without a full voice just as Jesus did.”
Click here to read the full statement.
The statement has been shared with the (arch)dioceses in which the SCJs minister in the United States and various media outlets.
Br. Frank and Fr. Gary
Congratulations jubilarians!
On Thursday, June 12, members of the US Province celebrated the religious jubilees of Fr. Gary Lantz, SCJ (50 years in vows), and of Br. Frank Snider, SCJ (60 years). It was also the closing liturgy of the US Province Election Assembly.
Originally from Zanesville, Ohio, much of Br. Frank’s life has been devoted to education. He taught at Divine Heart Seminary (while also serving as academic dean, business manager and treasurer) and at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary before taking a teaching position at Aquinas High School in San Bernardino, CA. That was the start of a nearly 40-year commitment to Catholic high school education. Starting in 1988, he taught at Incarnate Word High School in San Antonio. One of Br. Frank’s few breaks from teaching was when he stepped in as provincial treasurer for a year when the then treasurer, Fr. Jerry Schaad, SCJ, was on sabbatical. Br. Frank retired in 2022 and is now a member of the Sacred Heart Community in Pinellas Park, FL.
Fr. Gary is originally from Decatur, Il. He professed his first vows in 1975 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1980. His assignments have included parish ministry in St. Louis and Milwaukee; however, it was in South Dakota where he truly found his call. He served in parochial ministry with the Lower Brule – Crow Creek Pastoral Team, as well as at parishes throughout South Dakota. He also ministered at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, and for many years was a chaplain at the South Dakota Women’s Prison in Pierre. In 2005 he was honored by the South Dakota Department of Corrections for his work. Fr. Gary is a member of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML.
Click here to view photos fro the Jubilees
Perpetual profession
During the opening liturgy of the Election Assembly (June 9) Frater Hung Pham, SCJ, made his perpetual profession of vows. The ceremony took place in the Good Shepherd Chapel at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake in Franklin, WI.
“This particular moment in my journey makes me realize how blessed I am to be a Dehonian, as I am called to be a prophet of love and to share this message with the people whom I serve,” said Fra. Hung. “My perpetual vows do not signify an ending; rather, they represent a continuous love for God and service to His people. I need to perpetually bring God’s love to others and to step out of the sacristy to serve His people.”
Fra. Hung is preparing for ordained ministry; his diaconate ordination is tentatively planned for December, following the completion of his seminary studies at SHSST.
Click here to view photos from the ceremony.
Join us on Wednesday!
The second of a three-part series on Dilexit nos, hosted by the Dehon Study Center, will be on June 18 at 10:00 a.m. (Central). The presenter is Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. ANYONE is welcome to attend these sessions either in-person at the Provincial Conference Center or via Zoom at:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?omn=83058027610
The final presentation of the series will be on August 12, the 100th anniversary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon.
The commitment to lay formation
The Priests of the Sacred Heart were recognized for their commitment to lay formation at a recent event hosted by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Lay Initiative Inaugural Event was held on June 10 at the archdiocese’s pastoral center. Archbishop Jeffery Grob was the main celebrant at the Mass, which was followed by a reception and remarks. Over 100 lay ministers from parishes around the archdiocese took part.
Brenda Cline, Director of Priests Placement and the Lay Initiative, laid out the vision and goals of the initiative. During her remarks, she recognized the Cor Unum graduates of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Monica Misey, Director of Dehonian Associates, attended the event. “It was remarkable how many lay ministers raised their hand as Cor Unum alumni,” she said. “Clearly that program has had a significant impact on the parishes of the archdiocese.”
Marquette was recognized for its collaboration with the archdiocese, and the Priests of the Sacred Heart for their dedication to lay formation.
Next week
SCJs in the Milwaukee area are welcome to take part in several events next week.
STORY SHARING – Leaders from SCJ apostolates will be in town next week for the initial Dehonian Leadership Institute Retreat. There will be a social at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake on June 24 at 6:15 p.m. at which SCJs are invited to share stories from their years of ministry. Drinks and dessert will be provided. If you would like to attend please contact Monica Misey at: 414-427-4267 or mmisey@dehoniansusa.org.
ESPRIT DE COEUR – Approximately 20 guests will be attending the Esprit de Coeur reunion June 26-27. On Thursday, June 26, there will be Adoration at 5:00 p.m. in the Good Shepherd Chapel followed by a dinner. Again, if you would like to take part, RSVP to Monica.
FEAST OF THE SACRED HEART – All SCJs and collaborators are welcome to take part in events at Sacred Heat Seminary and School of Theology for Feast of the Sacred Heart on Friday, June 27. There will be a talk about Fr. Dehon and his legacy at 9:00 a.m. in Room 201; the feast-day Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Brunch is available after Mass. If you plan to attend the Mass and/or brunch, RSVP to Jessica Ramos at 414-427-4234 or jramos@poshusa.org.
Website updates
The province website will be undergoing several updates this week which may make it unavailable in full or in part from time to time. We appreciate your patience during the process. If you are unable to access information that you need, please contact Mary Gorski at mary.gorski@scjcommunications.org or 414-427-4266.
Theological conference at SHSST
From June 12-15, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology hosted “Anima Theologiae: Integrating Historical and Theological Exegesis.” It was a conference that brought together scholars and authors, most of whom teach at Catholic seminaries and universities.
Presenters reflected on the various ways to interpret Scripture, focusing on then Cardinal Ratzinger’s work regarding historical and theological methods. The SHSST colloquium “aims to critique and carry on Ratzinger’s work of integrating historical and theological exegesis through gathering established leaders in this exegetical approach with emerging scholars implementing these methods in seminary and undergraduate contexts,” wrote organizers. “The ultimate goal of this colloquium is a published handbook of exegesis accessible to all levels of higher education addressing valid criticisms of historical critical methods while articulating ways that these tools have ongoing utility in concert with theological exegesis.”
Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, attended part of the conference and said that he “recognized many of the well-known authors present in the room.”
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