News & Events | June 20, 2025
Just in time for company!
Just in time for Friday’s celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Sacred Heart Shrine on the grounds of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is getting a bit of an update including new tiles and the placement of the Dehonian cross on the front. Workers are pictured here putting in the final pieces last week.
Speaking of…
Several events are planned in Hales Corners/Franklin for the Feast of the Sacred Heart. On Thursday evening, June 26, the Esprit de Coeur reunion will start with prayer in the Good Shepherd Chapel at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, followed by a reception and dinner. If you have questions about the reunion, please contact Monica Misey at mmisey@dehoniansusa.org or 414-427-4267.
On Friday there will be a presentation at 9:00 a.m. on “The Legacy of Fr. Dehon.” The feast–day Mass is at 10:30 a.m., followed by brunch. All are welcome to the Mass.
The Dehonian Leadership Institute
Just before the feast-day activities begin, the inaugural cohort of the LEAD program (The Dehonian Leadership Institute) will gather at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology from June 24 -26. The group of seven participants were selected from apostolates throughout the US Province to be part of the pilot retreat with the hope of receiving feedback to improve future cohorts.
The first full cohort of 12 will begin their program in September, again at SHSST.
LEAD is a leadership program whose mission is to form spiritually grounded leaders who embody the Dehonian spirit of love and reconciliation. It is designed for SCJs and collaborators from across the US Province.
Fr. Jan de Jong honored
On June 16, Fr Jan de Jong, SCJ, was honored at St. Camillus as he stepped down from his role as a member of the Professional Advisory Group (PAG) for the Clinical Pastoral Education program. Our thanks to Sue Ott-Holland, a retired spiritual care professional for Aurora Health Care, who provided the following information about the gathering. The photos above are from Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ.
“Present were current students, chaplains and PAG members from St. Camillus along with educators and colleagues who had known and worked with Fr. Jan throughout the years. Beyond balloons, flowers, and cake, Fr. Jan was given a plaque in honor of his service and several rounds of applause.
“Most touching, however, were the many people who stood and shared their memories of his mentoring them, his work to create and lead medical ethics thinking and programs –including the Ethics Committee at Aurora St Luke’s Medical Center – and his friendship. His ability to be with people – listening deeply to what they said versus what he or others wanted them to say, stood out as a theme…
“Throughout our lives we all plant seeds – hopefully seeds of compassion, kindness and wisdom. Fr. Jan was able to see and hear how a few of the seeds he planted spouted deeply in the hearts and lives of those with whom he walked.”
Please remember
Hugh Foster, the brother-in-law of Fr. Greg Speck, SCJ, died on June 19. He is survived by Fr. Greg’s sister, Patricia Foster, the Fosters’ adult children and their grandchildren and great-grandchild. Click here to view his obituary.
Marlene Markworth, the mother of SHSST staffer Ruth Markworth, died on June 17. She was 83. The funeral will be on July 24. Click here to view her obituary.
Dilexit nos and Fr. Dehon: History and Social Responsibility
On June 18, Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, associate professor of Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, held the second in a three-part series of presentations on “Dilexit nos and Fr. Dehon.” Held in-person at the Provincial Conference Center and via Zoom, this second session focused on “History and Social Responsibility.”
“The last time, we talked about the heart,” said Dr. Blackwood, referring to the first of the three presentations. “This time I want to look at the history of devotion to the Sacred Heart, especially the way that Pope Francis talks about it in Dilexit nos and then where Fr. Dehon fits into that.
“Once you understand something about Fr. Dehon and how he fits into the history of the devotion to Sacred Heart it connects quickly to questions of justice and how we treat the poor. Those are the pieces I will focus on today.”
Click here to view a recording of the June 18 session.
Click here to view the first session.
The final presentation will be at 10:00 a.m. on August 12 to coincide with the Centenary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon. Click here for the Zoom link.
Jubilee Hymn
A winner has been chosen in the international Dehonian Jubilee hymn contest: Fr. Simão Pedro Claudino dos Santos, SCJ, of the South Brazilian Province. The title of the hymn: “He lives in us.”
The original text, in Portuguese, seeks to present aspects of the founder’s life and his experience of faith whose source is the contemplation of the Heart of Jesus, which gave rise to the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Fr. Simão currently serves in Ji-Paraná, Rondônia, in the Amazon region; he has also ministered with Dehonians in Paraguay.
In addition to the original version of the hymn in Portuguese, the International Commission of the Dehonian Jubilee offers the lyrics and score of the adapted versions in English, French, Italian and Spanish.
CLICK HERE to listen to a recording of the hymn.
CLICK HERE to access a Google folder with lyrics and other information.
Sharing Native American stories and themes
Every Tuesday, something special happens at the Aktá Lakota Museum and Cultural Center, an outreach of St. Joseph’s Indian School. The museum, usually a quiet place, begins humming with the voices of students, educators and community members as they gather for a special tradition — story time.
The books chosen for story time highlight themes of Native American identity, resilience and tradition, reinforcing values deeply rooted in Lakota (Sioux) culture. As students listen, they absorb more than words; they internalize lessons passed down through generations and enjoy modern stories for today’s world. Through picture books filled with vibrant Lakota symbols and illustrations, each session directly links students to contemporary voices shaping Indigenous literature. There is also a hands-on craft or activity, allowing children to creatively interact with the story’s themes.
“Through stories, cultural identity is strengthened, and the wisdom of ancestors is kept alive in a meaningful way,” said Dixie Thompson, museum director.
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