News & Events | June 09, 2025
Inspiring others to find their vocation
Fr. Christian Hoper, SCJ, was the main celebrant of the monthly Vocation Mass at the Provincialate chapel last Friday. During his homily he talked about his own vocation, saying that as a teen “I wanted to be an Idol!” What he meant was that he wanted his chance at fame and fortune as a contestant singing on the Indonesian version of the “Idol” television competition. Fr. Christian (pictured above) is originally from Indonesia.
“But then I met a priest who offered such a sense of peace among the people he was with, the people he served,” said Fr. Christian. “And I realized, that’s what I really want to do. That is my vocation. I want to bring peace to others…
“It is by expressing who you are, by talking about and living your own vocation – whatever it is – that you encourage and inspire others to find theirs.”
Elections and celebrations
As noted last week, the US Province Election Assembly begins today at 1:30 p.m. at the Provincial Conference Center in Hales Corners/Franklin, WI. Members of the US Province will discern the provincial superior and his five-member council for the next three-year term (2025 – 2028).
Frater Hung Pham, SCJ, will make his perpetual profession of vows during the Opening Mass at 5:00 p.m. On Thursday, June 12, the province will celebrate the religious jubilees of Br. Frank Snider, SCJ (60 years of vows) and Fr. Gary Lantz, SCJ (50 years). All of the evening liturgies will take place at Good Shepherd Chapel at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.
Photos and updates from the week will be posted on the province Facebook page and Instagram account.
Please keep the work of the assembly in your prayers throughout the week.
The making of a saint
During last Friday’s Dehon Book Club hosted by the Dehon Study Center, Fr. Ramon Domiguez Fraille, SCJ, General Postulator for the Priests of the Sacred Heart, talked about his work and shared updates on the beatification process for Fr. Leo John Dehon and other SCJs. He was assisted with English translation by Fr. Josemar Lima, SCJ, a philosophy student doing his doctorate in Rome. They are pictured above, meeting with participants via Zoom.
How does a person become a saint? The bulk of the postulator’s job is spent fulfilling the tasks of what is often a lengthy road toward the possibility of sainthood. It starts at the diocesan level, in conjunction with the bishop’s office, collecting information about the actions and virtues of the person being proposed for beautification and canonization. Once the diocesan process is complete, the compiled information is sent to the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.
Currently there are eight causes on which Fr. Ramon’s office is working. The two that are in the diocesan phase are for Bishop Joseph Wittebols (diocese of Wamba) and for Fr. Francisco Geraedts (diocese of Palmares). The causes that are now with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints are for Blessed Juan María de la Cruz, Venerable – Servant of God Leo John Dehon, Venerable – Servant of God Aloísio Boeing, Servant of God Andrés Prévot, Servant of God Martino Capelli, and Servant of God Bernardo Longo.
Fr. Ramon was asked about Fr. Dehon’s cause; in 2006 the founder’s beatification was postponed indefinitely following the death of Pope John Paul II. “It is interesting to report that the postulation has received news of several miracles and graces,” said Fr. Ramon. “The cause belongs directly to the Secretariat of State, because the entire process in the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints has been completed.” No timeline is yet in place regarding the founder’s beatification.
Information about all of the causes, as well other work of the office, is in the text of Fr. Ramon’s presentation. Click here to download it.
Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center, notes that no book club gatherings are scheduled for the summer. The next will take place in September; details will be shared closer to the date.
ANYONE is welcome to attend the gatherings in-person or via Zoom. If you have questions about the book club, please contact Fr. Joseph at: 414-427-7265, Jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org
Next presentation on Dilexit nos
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 (pictured above), 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 will be on August 12, the 100th anniversary of the death of Fr. Leo John Dehon.
Pontifical affiliation
After years of extensive work by the staff of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology and our SCJs at the Generalate in Rome, on June 5 the Pontifical Gregorian University announced its affiliation with the Sint Unum Institute in collaboration with SHSST. The affiliation allows Hales Corners to grant the Gregorian’s ecclesiastical baccalaureate in theology.
“My congratulations and gratitude to all of the people who have been a part of this lengthy process,” said Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, provincial superior. “It is a testament to the professionalism of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology and will only enhance the many offerings at our seminary.”
Updates at SHML
Last week Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, announced updates to the team that serves our retired SCJ community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake:
Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ, will complete his ministry as local superior on June 21.
Fr. Vincent Suparman, SCJ, will arrive on June 26 (he is pictured above).
Br. Brian Tompkins will remain with the community until mid-July (he has been assigned to the formation team with Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ).
Fr. Ed Zemlik is scheduled to move to the Sacred Heart Community before July 14.
“On behalf of our community, I’d like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Br. Duane and Br. Brian for their tireless work in eldercare ministry,” wrote Fr. Vien. “Their thoughtful care and support for our confreres truly reflect the love of Christ. I’m also grateful to the care team members for their hard work and dedication.
“Duane and Brian, thank you for your generosity of spirit and the care you offer day after day. Your ministry is a true blessing, and we are deeply grateful for the way you live out the Gospel through your care for our brothers.”
A week of service and prayer
The Catholic Service Initiative (CSI) is a mission opportunity for the high school-age youth of the Northwest Mississippi parishes ministered to by the Dehonians. “This week-long service trip is more than just a project — it’s a transformative experience of faith, fellowship, and hands-on outreach to the poor and vulnerable in our region,” said Victoria Stirek, Director of Religious Ed and Youth Coordinator for Queen of Peace Catholic Church.
Each summer, students from the six parishes join together to serve in collaboration with Sacred Heart Southern Missions (SHSM). Through this partnership, CSI participants assist families in need by addressing critical home repairs. “Over the years, our teams have built wheelchair ramps, replaced leaking roofs, repaired plumbing, and more,” said Vickie. “This year, our project focused on installing flooring in a home for a local family in need.”
The theme for 2025 comes from the Life Teen program: “#shift – A Week to Change the World.”
“Our hope is that this mission experience shifts the hearts and minds of our youth, opening their eyes to the needs around them — in their families, churches, and communities,” said Vickie. “By dedicating this week to service, our hope is that they will return transformed, inspired to live out their faith through ongoing acts of compassion and justice.”
Several SCJs in Mississippi assisted with the program, leading prayer and sharing stories about their vocations and ministries with the CSI participants.
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