Weekly News: June 20, 2011

Welcome back!

SCJ candidate Juan Carlos Castañeda Rojas

Juan Carlos Castañeda Rojas is back with the Dehon Formation Community in Chicago after several months in his native Colombia waiting for a few “snags” in his visa paperwork to be resolved.

Soon after unpacking Juan Carlos will be back at school with a summer course on Plato’s Republic.

“Something that I have learned is that the vocational process is something that never ends and the pursuit of the love of Jesus is the best thing that has happened in my life,” said Juan Carlos when talking about his vocation.  “I am happy and my dream to be a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart is stronger than ever. Pray for me and I will pray always for you!!!

Please remember

Gaétan Parent, Fr. Claude Bédard’s brother-in-law, died June 16, at 79. Fr. Claude is a member of the Canadian Region and lives in Montréal.

Silent Auction

The Province Development Office is holding a silent auction to benefit Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.  Auction items include sports packages (such as Brewers baseball tickets and a tailgate party), dinner for ten prepared by Fr. Dominic Peluse, wine, electronic navigation packages, children’s toys, travel (including a trip to California wine country and timeshares in other locations), and electronics.

Auction items will be available for viewing and bidding on the Province Development Office website.   Go to www.poshusa.org and click on “Ways to Help.” A PDF of the booklet with silent auction items is also available for download.  Click here to receive it.

Bidding will close at 1:30 p.m. on July 1 (Feast of the Sacred Heart) and winners will be announced at 2:30.  Winners do not need to be present to win.

If you have questions about the silent auction, please contact Carrie Beuning at 414-425-3383 or cbeuning@poshusa.org.

Feast of the Sacred Heart at the Sacred Heart Shrine

All SCJs and employees 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.

SCJ named to head archdiocesan commission on youth

The archbishop of Olinda – Recife (Brazil) recently named Fr. Gimesson Eduardo, a member of the North Brazilian Province, to head the newly established Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Youth.

The archdiocese’s increased outreach to youth is, in part, a reaction to the alarming rise of violence in the urban areas of the archdiocese, which has a population of over 3.5 million.  In accepting the position, Fr. Gimesson said that he hopes that the Church can help to turn the tide of violence against youth and young women, “people who should be a priority in our society.”

SCJs in all three of the Brazilian Provinces have long been active in youth ministry.

Province jubilee celebration and 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.

If you have indicated that you are attending EITHER the jubilee or the assembly, we are going to assume that you are attending BOTH unless you indicate otherwise.  You can RSVP by phone or email to Mary Gorski at 414-427-4266 or marygorski@sbcglobal.net.

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.

Provincial’s time

Fr. Tom Cassidy returns from the USCCB meeting in Seattle today.  He’ll be home for about a week before heading to the “other” Washington for more meetings through most of next week.

Upcoming meetings and events:

July 1: Feast of the Sacred Heart, Mass at SHST, 11 a.m.
July 11: Province Jubilees, SHST, 4 p.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.