A facelift worth seeing
If you haven’t taken a look at the new website for the Generalate, click here and take a look now. Several weeks ago the congregational website unveiled a new look. For now, stories are posted primarily in English and Italian; the English has its own homepage. You can either access the English page by clicking on the appropriate flag in the upper right corner, or click on the link above to go directly to it.
Among the stories featured on the site this week is one on the March 19-21 Francophone SCJ conference at Clarefontaine, Belgium. The story notes that “Affiche Confer” was the motto used to describe what SCJs hoped to achieve at the conference. The motto “expressed their goal: education toward Dehonian values for a new evangelization in Western society,” stated the writer on www.dehon.it. “The province wants to respond better in its life and its works to the secular context of France, Belgium and Luxembourg. ‘Affiche Confer’ was a plea to better explain, better understand, the present situation and to get to the core of what needs to be done.”
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Youngest of the eldest
On March 27, Br. Gabe Kersting will become the province’s youngest 90-year-old. He follows Fr. Don Barnd, who celebrated his 90th birthday on January 19, and Fr. Leonard Tadyszak, who turned 90 on January 5.
“We will have a special meal and, of course, the birthday cake of his choosing,” said Br. Ben Humpfer. “I am sure he will choose an ice cream cake if I know Br. Gabriel.”
Br. Gabe may be the youngest of the 90-somethings but he falls right in the middle when it comes to profession (first vows in 1949). Fr. Don is the youngster with the SCJs, celebrating a mere 60th anniversary with the community this year, while Fr. Leonard has more years in vows than anyone else in the province. This is his 68th year as an SCJ.
After devoting their lives to the Priests of the Sacred Heart, all three men are retired. Fr. Leonard and Fr. Don are members of the Sacred Heart Community in Franklin, Wis. (with residence at the Congregational Home in suburban Milwaukee), and Br. Gabe is a member of the Pinellas Park community in Florida, where he continues to enjoy taking in a few spring training games each year.
A write-up on our three “90-somethings” has been posted on the province website. Click here to read it.
As for the rest of the Pinellas Park community, Br. Ben notes that SCJs there are doing well. They have recently hosted a number of visitors, including Fr. Bernie Rosinski and Fr. Tony Russo, for some warm weather R&R.
“Our bishop has called all parishes in the diocese to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation to bring people back to the Church,” continued Br. Ben. “Confessions were heard in all parishes on March 15. Fr. Frank, Fr. Tom and Fr. Ralph went to St. Catherine’s parish to help with their penance service. Fr. Frank said that they were busy for over two hours with confessions.”
Of course several of the retired men continue to join Br. Gabe in the ritual of spring training games near Tampa – St. Petersburg.
Keep in prayer
Fr. Donatus Kusmartono, who recently graduated from Cardinal Stritch University with a master’s degree in Educational Leadership after studying in Sacred Heart School of Theology’s ESL program, is undergoing a heart procedure today (March 26) in Jarkarta. He is a member of the Indonesian Province. Fr. Donatus was recently diagnosed with heart blockage.
Please remember
Br. Camillo Pellegrini, a member of the Cameroon Province, died March 21. He was born in 1938 and professed in 1954.
St. Joe’s hosts visiting artist
Vermillion, S.D., artist Susan Heggestad recently conducted workshops for St. Joseph’s Indian School students as part of the South Dakota Arts Councils Artists in Schools & Communities program.
Through exercises in bookmaking and drawing, students explored art as a means to develop and celebrate their identities. By swapping pieces of their drawings, they saw how they and their work can be influenced by people and events around them.
“Each student created a drawing of a person or figure with a clear top, middle and bottom,” said Susan. “Once the drawings were complete, they were cut into three pieces. Students kept one piece of their drawing and swapped the other two with class members.”
Click here to read the full article.
Dehonian Family Committee meets
Today (March 26) members of the Dehonian Family Ad Hoc Committee are meeting in Hales Corners to reflect on past efforts and to look ahead at the next Mission Education gathering. St. Joseph’s Indian School is the host of the next Mission Ed April 8-9, 2013.
In summarizing the history of the Dehonian Family efforts in the U.S. Province, Mike Tyrell, chairperson of the ad hoc committee, wrote that “over time there have been three specific directions to the Dehonian movement: parish involvement in the spirituality of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, mission education of the laity and religious working with the SCJs in their apostolates, and the incorporation of laity into the religious life of the community.
“What is now referred to as the Dehonian Family was initially called the Dehonian Affiliates when it was formed in 1994. The Dehonian Affiliates name was changed through the 2006 Provincial Conference. It was felt the new designation of ‘Dehonian Family’ better reflected the inclusiveness that was being promoted by the worldwide SCJs.
“The main focus of the Dehonian Family over the last several years has been to continue mission education and awareness among staff and employees.”
The Dehonian Family continues to be present in parishes but new ways are being sought to incorporate Dehonian spirituality in all SCJ apostolates. Collaborative efforts remains strong among the SCJ Schools in Collaboration.
40 year DHS reunion
Dan Prickel is one of the organizers of a 40th reunion of Divine Heart Seminary’s class of 1972. He writes that “in addition to hours for talking and catching up with old friends, we will be sightseeing several places in Cincinnati, and will head off to dine together as well. A nine-hole round of golf will be organized for Friday afternoon, while Saturday will have more sightseeing tours or activities like basketball or soccer (for those whose knees still function!).”
The reunion is open to anyone who attended Divine Heart Seminary as a part of the 1972 class, OR who attended and knew members of that 1972 class. It will take place in Cincinnati, OH, September 14-16.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton Garden Inn, Blue Ash (513-469-6900), at an event rate of $79 pre-tax. (rate guaranteed until 6/30/2012). A fee of $25 (minimum) per person will also be collected to be contributed to the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
For more information contact Dan Prickel at [email protected] or 513-769-1874.
Dan has a special request of SCJ priests: “We would like to especially invite an SCJ priest who knew this class and who would not only attend some or all of the reunion but offer a Mass on Sunday. Any of the religious (or former religious) who wish to attend are of course welcome!! We can’t pay for their rooms or attendance, but would love to have any of them join us.”
Budget reminder
The Treasurer’s Office reminds SCJs that ALL budgets are due on April 7. If you have questions, please contact Kevin Stanke, John Kuxhause or Dn. David Nagel.
Provincial’s Time
Fr. Tom Cassidy has Provincial Council meetings in Hales Corners Tuesday and Wednesday. He will remain in town for Holy Week.
Upcoming meetings and events:
March 27-28: Provincial Council Meeting
April 5-9: The Provincialate will close at 2 pm. on Holy Thursday (April 5), and not reopen until Tuesday, April 10.
April 15: Easter Concert at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology
May 2-3: North American Councils meeting, Hales Corners
May 15: Mass for the Anointing of the Sick, SHM/SHST
May 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting (budgets)
June 15: Feast of the Sacred Heart
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
2013:
April 8-9: Mission Education Conference, St. Joseph’s Indian School
Week of June 3: Province Election Assembly
