Bishop leads dedication at St. Martin of Tours

On Sunday, June 22, Bishop Donald Hying, auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee, dedicated a new section of the cemetery at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Franklin, Wis., as well as a shrine to Our Lady of La Vang (the Vietnamese Madonna).

The original Shrine to Our Lady of La Vang in Vietnam was declared a national shrine in 1959, marking 300 years of the Church’s presence in the country.

St. Martin of Tours is home to the Milwaukee Vietnamese Catholic community; Fr. Thi Pham is the second SCJ to serve as its pastoral leader. The shrine at St. Martin of Tours includes a statue to Our Lady of La Vang, a beautiful garden, walking paths and benches.

Among those joining Bishop Hying at the ceremony were Fr. Yvon Sheehy, SCJ, pastor of SMOT, and Fr. Thi, associate pastor, as well as the parishioners of SMOT.

At the assembly

Among the SCJs joining the province at is July 9-12 assembly is a member of the community who comes to Hales Corners from Cameroon, via the Rio Grande Valley.

Fr. Francois Tsanga, SCJ, a member of the Cameroon Province, has been ministering for the past year as a chaplain to several hospitals in the Brownsville Diocese, including Valley Baptist Medical Center, as well as the Harlingen Medical Center.

An alumnus of Sacred Heart School of Theology’s ESL program (he attended in 2004), Fr. Francois, 44, came to Texas at the invitation of a diocesan priest, a friend from Cameroon.

“Unfortunately, I forgot much of what I learned in ESL,” he said shortly after arriving. However, instead of English, Fr. Francois has focused on his Spanish and spent several weeks in Mexico to better prepare for ministry among the heavily Hispanic population of the Valley.

One of ten children, Fr. Francois’ family came to know the SCJs through their ministries in his hometown of Ngoya. “Their commitment to social work and youth made a positive impression on me,” he said. “It was a difference that I saw when looking at other congregations.” In 1994 he applied to join the community. He professed vows in 1997 and was ordained in 2005.

Before coming to the United States last year Fr. Francois served in parish ministry, as a treasurer, and in catechetical formation of youth, adults and catechists.

“Working in catechetics was a highlight of pastoral ministry for me,” he said.

Fr. Francois does not have a specific timeline for his commitment in the United States but he anticipates serving here for the next couple of years.

Two weeks from today!

The province assembly kicks off with the Jubilee Celebrations at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, July 9. Tuesday and Wednesday, July 10-11, will be full days with the assembly (with an on-site Comedy Sportz performance on Tuesday evening), and Thursday, July 12 will be a half day.

If you haven’t made room arrangements, contact Marlene at the front desk at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology. Call: 414-425-8300 and hit “0.”

Three ordained in India

On June 2 the Indian District celebrated the ordination of two SCJs to the diaconate, Dn. Sampathi Balaraj and Dn. Naveen Kumar Pudota, and one to the priesthood, Fr. Lenin James. The ceremony took place at the Sacred Heart Ashram in Nambur, Guntur. Novice Kiran Sagar wrote about the ceremony for the Generalate’s website. Click here to read his account as well as see photos from the ceremony.

Please remember

Paul Woodbury, the brother of Fr. Richard Woodbury, SCJ, died Thursday, June 21. He was 71. Fr. Richard is a member of the Canadian Region.

Keep in prayer

Sr. Paul Gabriel, the sister of Br. Gabriel Kersting, SCJ, is in her final days after having made the difficult decision to discontinue dialysis. She is reported to be in and out of consciousness; doctors are focusing on keeping her comfortable until she passes.

Paul Bossie, the brother of Fr. Bob Bossie, has a very serious bone infection in his lower left leg. In conjunction with many other health concerns, the infection could lead to amputation and/or other life-threatening complications. He is being monitored at the nursing home where he resides.

Thank you

Fr. Ed Zemlik, SCJ, and his family thank SCJs and co-workers for their concern, prayers and other expressions of condolences upon the death of Helen Zemlik, Fr. Ed’s mother, as well as a special thanks to SCJs who attended the wake and funeral. Fr. Ed is now back at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology helping incoming students get settled in for the summer ESL program.

Also, Fr. Ed Griesemer and his family express their thanks to all those who sent cards and e-mails of sympathy upon the recent death of his sister, Charlotte Ann Sternemann, as well as those who gave verbal expressions of condolence.  “The family was especially grateful that Frs. Bill Pitcavage and Mike Burke drove the long distance to Kokomo, Ind., to be present for the wake Mass of Christian Burial.” said Fr. Ed.

Back in Hales Corners

Bishop Joe Potocnak, SCJ, is back in Hales Corners, residing at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. He will be at SHML for at least the next month.

Provincial’s time

Fr. Tom Cassidy, SCJ, is in Milwaukee until leaving for the General Conference and Major Superiors meeting in Germany. Fr. Cassidy will be in Europe July 14-25.

Upcoming meetings and events:

June 28: Provincial Council Meeting (conference call re: formation)
July 3-4: Provincialate Offices closed for Independence Day.
July 9-12: Province Assembly, Hales Corners
July 16-21: General Conference, Neustadt, Germany
July 23-25: SCJ Major Superiors Meeting, Neustadt, Germany
August 28-29: Provincial Council Meeting
October 11-12: Provincial Council Meeting
October 12: Dedication of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake
December 18-19: Provincial Council Meeting

2013:
January 29-30: Provincial Council Meeting
March 19-20: Provincial Council Meeting
April 8-9: Mission Education Conference, St. Joseph’s Indian School
April 30 – May 1: Provincial Council Meeting (budgets)
Week of June 3: Province Election Assembly.