Prayer for the faithful by St. Patrick
May the Strength of God pilot us.
May the Power of God preserve us.
May the Wisdom of God instruct us.
May the Hand of God protect us.
May the Way of God direct us.
May the Shield of God defend us.
May the Host of God guard us.
Against the snares of the evil ones.
– Against temptations of the world.
May Christ be with us!
May Christ be before us!
May Christ be in us,
Christ be over all!
May Thy Salvation, Lord,
Always be ours,
This day, O Lord, and evermore.
Amen.
Have a happy and SAFE St. Patrick’s Day!
Founder’s writings now online
On March 14, the 171st anniversary of the birth of Fr. Leo John Dehon, the congregation launched www.dehondocs.it, a searchable website of the founder’s writings.
“The realization of this project was supported by the belief that the knowledge and dissemination of the social and spiritual thoughts of Fr. Dehon represent a treasure for the Church,” wrote Fr. José Ornelas Carvalho, SCJ superior general. “We wish in this way to honor a motion of our XXI General Chapter (2003) which recommended digitizing the writings of the founder to make them accessible to everyone.”
Click here to read Fr. Ornelas’ full letter introducing the site.
Fr. Dehon has been described as “a priest with a pen in his hand.” He was a constant writer. Some of his works were published as books, others as articles. His writings have ranged from social and spiritual issues, to detailed notes of his travels, to speeches, sermons and conferences, to retreats and meditations, as well as other pieces exploring and cultivating devotion to the Sacred Heart.
Although much is on the website already, it is a work in progress and more will be added as it develops.
Thanks for sharing in the mission
Fr. Zenon Sendeke, SCJ, provincial superior of the Congolese Province, writes with thanks to the US Province, whose benefactors helped to support several programs for Congolese youth.
“Once again I want to thank you for the recent aid that we received for Gradi-Jeunes,” wrote Fr. Zenon. Gradi-Jeunes is a youth project that offers young people in Kisangani an opportunity to come together to learn about and dialogue on issues they face, as well simply spend time together in a safe environment. Occasionally the organization is able to gather enough funds to take young people out on a short excursion beyond the city.
Many of Kisangani’s youth have only known a life of war and violence. Calm is often just a brief breath of fresh air in the midst of protest and conflict. The city is the third largest in the Democratic Republic of Congo and it reflects much of the struggles of the country itself.
With donations from the US Province SCJs in Congo were able to purchase a generator to help power a small building for the SCJ community in Kisangani (the community there ministers to youth), fund several programs for Gradi-Jeunes, and help to support a local radio – television station that broadcasts Christian-based programs developed especially for young people. “We paid one month’s salary to the workers who had not received pay for four months,” wrote Fr. Zenon. “Many of these workers are mothers and fathers who must find money to send their children to school…
“We are grateful to you, and your benefactors, for sharing with us in this important mission.”
Back on American soil
Fr. Mark Mastin, SCJ, a chaplain in the US Army, completed his assignment in Afghanistan earlier this month and returned to his base in Hawaii last week. “The trip home took four days, of which, 25 hours were in the air,” he wrote.
Welcome home!
Budget reminder
The Provincial Treasurer’s office reminds budget preparers that budgets are due by March 28 for review by the Province Finance Commission.
If you have questions or need assistance with your budget, contact Kevin Stanke at provtreas3@usprovince.org or call 414-427-4270
Please remember
Fr. Francis Calnan, a member of the British-Irish Province, died March 15. He was born in 1930, professed in 1951 and ordained in 1957.
Also, the sister of John McEvilly, a former SCJ, called to say that John recently died of a heart attack. He was 81 and was in vows with the community from 1951-1970.
Vocation office on the road
As noted in last week’s Fridge Notes, Br. Long Nguyen, Fr. Quang Nguyen and Frater James Nguyen went to Anaheim, Calif., March 14-16 for the Religious Education Congress.
RECongress is the largest annual gathering of its kind in the world. The event is held at the Anaheim (Calif.) Convention Center and is sponsored by the Los Angeles Office of Religious Education. Begun in 1968, the RECongress is open to people of all vocations and different faiths.
Pictured above at SCJ booth at the conference are Fr. Quang and Frater James.
Another published SHST prof
Congratulations to Fr. Michael Udoekpo, assistant professor of Scripture at Sacred Heart School of Theology, who recently had an article published in the Catholic Biblical Quarterly 76:1 (2014). He reviewed the following book: Mark J. Boda and Lissa M. Wray Beal (eds.), Prophets, Prophecy, and Ancient Israelite Historiography (Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns, 2013).
Provincial’s time
Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, begins the week in the St. Louis area for the CMSM Region V meeting. March 19-20 he has Provincial Council meetings, and on March 21 the council has its annual meeting with local superiors/coordinators.
