The summer session begins!
The first session of the 2016 summer ESL program at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology got underway this morning with some lighthearted icebreakers before placement testing. Kelly Kornacki, ESL academic director, said that this will most likely be one of the largest sessions that the program has had. We’ll share more about the students and where they are from in the weeks ahead.
Click here to view a few photos from this morning’s opening activities.
Please remember
Raymond Mankins, the brother of Br. Peter Mankins, died June 23 of pancreatic cancer. The funeral will be on June 30, at noon, at Queen of Heaven Mortuary, 2161 Fullerton Rd., Rowland Heights, CA 91748. Phone: 262-964-1291.
Fr. João Hülse, a member of the South Brazilian Province, died June 26. He was born in 1951, professed in 1973 and ordained in 1979.
Fr. Francisco Javier Larrea Pascal, a member of the Spanish Province, died June 22. He was born in 1952, professed in 1971 and ordained in 1983.
Keep in prayer
Harvey Fortner, the brother of Fr. Mark Fortner, is in hospice care after being diagnosed with stage four spinal cancer that has metastasized to other areas of the body.
“The Heart of Jesus was always with me; I just didn’t realize it”
In the June 24 edition of Dehonian Spirituality, Deborah Kosut, SHSST Pastoral Formation Department and Volunteer Program Coordinator, reflected on her 25 years at SHSST.
“When I first started here, I felt as if I were in a different world,” she wrote. “As a non-Catholic, I began to learn so much about the monastery, the School of Theology, and what a special place this was. I asked a lot of questions and wanted to know about so many things. But sometimes all the reading and questions really don’t help until something real happens.
“I was here less than six months when I received a phone call from my doctor telling me that I had cancer. I was in complete shock but I started to realize what a special place this was when so many of the priests and my coworkers would come into my office and pray with me. I would sit in the chapel and look at all the stained glass windows and focus on the Heart of Jesus window. Why me — why is this happening to me? I started to pray more — what a tool for healing! I realized that the Holy Spirit was always with me. I never felt alone during these days — it was as if Jesus was wrapping his arms around me as I went on this journey. God’s mercy was given to me — I went into remission and was cancer free for 23 years.
“I was given a new opportunity in 1997. I would be the coordinator of the new Sacred Heart Visitor’s Center and Volunteer Program. I wanted to learn everything that I could about Sacred Heart since it would be my responsibility to welcome visitors and tour groups, and show them how special this place is. I studied information about Fr. Dehon, learned about the SCJs, and how this building came to be…
“This was a time when I realized the presence and dedication of the Priests of the Sacred Heart and all the people who work with them all over the world. Meeting the people who visit Sacred Heart and seeing how faith-filled they are is a learning experience for me — the Heart of Jesus was always with me; I just didn’t realize it…
“I am grateful and thankful to be a part of the Sacred Heart Community.”
Click here to read the full reflection in last week’s Dehonian Spirituality.
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Farewell and welcome
July is a time for several changes in ministry assignments in the province. Last week we noted that Fr. Zbigniew Morawiec is leaving Our Lady of Guadalupe in Houston to join the pastoral team in northern Mississippi.
Yesterday, farewell receptions for Frs. Bob Tucker and David Szatkowski were held at Queen of Peace parish in Olive Branch, MS., and Holy Spirit parish in Hernando, MS. The two SCJs are moving to Chicago this month to begin ministry with the Dehon Formation Community. Hundreds of well-wishers attended the Mississippi gatherings to express their appreciation for Frs. Bob and David.
Photos from the celebrations are on the Sacred Heart Southern Missions’ Facebook page. Click here to view it.
Updates
As noted above, Fr. Bob Tucker and Fr. David Szatkowski are now a part of the Dehon Formation Community in Chicago. The address:
1421 E. 53rd St.
Chicago, IL 60615
As of July 1, Fr. Zbigniew Morawiec is a member of the Mississippi community. His address:
1360 Nesbit Rd., (mailing address: P.O. Box 38)
Nesbit, MS 38651-0038
Also, Br. Bernie Taube has a new phone number: 608-960-2860
A note to SCJs: photos and dates of profession and ordination have been added to the online personnel directory in the Members’ section of the province website. Click here if you need assistance in accessing the section.
Happy birthday!
Those celebrating birthdays in July include: Fr. Bill Marrevee (80) on July 5, Candidate Alonso Barrantes (46) on July 7, Br. Long Nguyen (37) and Fr. Yuliwan Maslim (52) on July 15, Fr. Richard Woodbury (72) and Fr. Willyans Prado Rapozo (34) on July 19, Fr. Dominic Peluse (70) on July 22, Fr. Vince McDonald (85) on July 25, Fr. Vien Nguyen (43) on July 27 and Fr. Peter McKenna (67) on July 29. Happy birthday!
Provincial’s time
On Tuesday, Fr. Ed Kilianski has a conference call with the council. June 29 through July 10 he will be visiting family.
Holiday schedule
The Provincial Offices will be closed Friday, July 1 through Monday, July 4, for Independence Day. The next Fridge Notes will be published on Tuesday, July 5.
Closing shot
The general treasurer, Fr. Luca Zottoli, spent much of last week at St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota. He is pictured below, second from left, with Fr. Jesús Valdezate (a member of the Spanish Province who serves on the General Finance Commission), Fr. Stephen Huffstetter (general councilor and former executive director of St. Joe’s) and Aldo Ivaldi, the general treasurer’s assistant in Rome. The group was in South Dakota learning about the SCJs’ ministries there as well as the school’s development program.
They returned to Milwaukee on Saturday; today and tomorrow they have meetings in Hales Corners before returning to Rome on Wednesday.
