Sacred Heart students excel in math competition

Four students from Sacred Heart School in Southaven, Miss., competed in the Northeast and Northwest Chapter MATHCOUNTS Program Competitions at the University of Mississippi in February.

The three-hour event consisted of four parts: Sprint, Target, Team and Countdown Rounds. The first Sprint Round had 30 questions and individual students had just 40 minutes to complete them.

The Sacred Heart team came in first overall, and took home individual awards as well.

“I am so very proud of them,” said their teacher. “I can’t wait to see how they do at state!”

The state competition is March 22 in Jackson. Each of the four students will compete alone and as a team. Top teams and individuals will go to the national competition in May. Students have the opportunity to win thousands of dollars in scholarships and other prizes at both events.

Sacred Heart School is an apostolate of the SCJs’ Sacred Heart Southern Missions.

Update

As noted last week, Fr. Matthias Hansen, an SCJ missionary in Congo, was significantly injured during a kitchen explosion. Fr. Zénon Sendeke, provincial superior, writes that Fr. Matthias was burned from his head through his upper body. He is now being treated in a hospital in Europe where he was put into a forced coma for healing.

A remembrance and update on SCJ alumni

Former SCJ George Grob (he was with the community in formation from 1961-67) recently wrote to share news of the death of his brother, Frank Grob, on January 8. Frank had also been in formation as an SCJ from 1959-65.

“He died rather suddenly at the age of 73 of pneumonia after many years of Alzheimer’s disease,” wrote George. “He had incurred that illness in his early 60s and for the last couple of years had been out of touch, unable to speak or give any sign that he recognized anyone or understood any words spoken to him. However, physically he was strong, so the pneumonia came as a great surprise. He was well taken care of in a community home by people who loved him. His wife visited him at least twice a week. My sister Celie and I visited him in California about every two years. It was on my last visit to him that he showed no signs of recognizing me or anyone else. However, he had what we call a ‘good death,’ with his wife at his side holding his hand and speaking to him, and not suffering any discomfort.

“In his heyday he was quite the sailor, owning his own small sailboat in a marina just a few blocks from where he lived. His ashes were spread on those waters where he sailed, with his wife, children, and grandchildren in the boat on the sea where the ceremony took place. Even though we could no longer communicate over the last couple of years, I still miss him when I think about him. On the day he died I celebrated my 72nd birthday.”

George Grob is now retired from the federal government, where he worked with the Department of Health and Human Services. He continues to be active as a consultant. George and his wife Sue recently celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary; Fr. Bernie Rosinski, SCJ, officiated at their wedding.

Update

Fr. Quang Nguyen now has an email address with the vocation office:
frquangscj@wi.twcbc.com

Thanks!

Fr. Bob Bossie writes: “Thank you all very much for your love, prayers, cards, emails and kindness following my recent heart attack. It made me aware of how vulnerable we really are. Your care for me touched me very deeply. I give thanks to God for each of you. It’s amazing how little acts of love and care can mean so much, as they did to me. I’m slowly improving though I tire easily. Hopefully, cardiac rehab, which I’m starting soon, will help with that.”

And more thanks…

Br. Clay Diaz writes that “I just completed my final vow program this past weekend (March 1). I would like to thank Br. Ray Kozuch for his support and help throughout these six months as my final vows director.

“Please keep me in prayer as I continue in my last stages of formation and studies.”

JPR director meets with commission, begins visits with province

Members of the Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission met in Chicago on February 14 with new province JPR director Mark Peters. Topics of discussion included the history of the JPR (formerly JPIC) Commission, its budget for the coming year, priorities, and the need for new members, especially from South Dakota. The committee also expressed its gratitude to Br. Lenny Zaworski for his recently completed term on the commission.

Upcoming agenda topics will include discussion of a possible renewal of funding for justice and peace organizations in Milwaukee, Chicago and Houston (and if so, to review the criteria for funding), socially responsible investing, and a possible province JPR program in 2015.

Members of the province are always welcome to share their input with Mark or members of the JPR Commission. “We look for your input as to how we can resource ministries and contribute to a ‘culture of social justice’ within the province in keeping with the Dehonian charism!” said Mark.

Mark’s email: justdir@usprovince.org

Last week, Mark sent out “JPR News and Views,” a periodic e-mailing to members of the province with news and reflections on social concerns. Click here to read the e-blast in your web browser.

This week, Mark is visiting with SCJs in South Dakota to get to know the community, ministries and social justice concerns of the area.

 

“I can’t do this!”
Or, how to catch a train in India

Fr. Tom Cassidy’s latest post from India includes a story about a mad dash to catch a train soon after it was learned that the intended train was leaving NOT at 10:30 but at 9 p.m.

“With muster called and all present we rushed (fast trot you might say) with bags in hand or on our backs to the nearest motor-rickshaw stand,” wrote Fr. Tom. “Fr. Vilmar, did his usual negotiations for three rickshaws and off we raced. I was in the first rickshaw with Fr. Vilmar and Manish (he usually traveled with us as he’s the smallest of the postulants). I think Fr. Vilmar got his message across to our driver as it was FULL SPEED AHEAD — well, as fast as a fully loaded motor-rickshaw put-put engine would carry us. Fortunately, the train station is not very far and we arrived with a couple of minutes to spare. I suppose with a bit of apprehension in each of our heads we waited for the other two rickshaws to come flying around the corner with the other eight postulants.

“Wouldn’t you know it, the train was on track No. 2 so most of the postulants jumped down onto track No. 1 as it was by far the shortest way as we only had a couple of moments to spare!

“I blurted out: ‘I can’t do this!’ So Fr. Vilmar rushed with me across the overhead bridge as Jesu grabbed my bag.

“At the last moment I said to myself ‘Go for it!’ And so Fr. Vilmar and I jumped down and crossed track No.1 and luckily the doors on the cars were open on both sides and all managed to get on board with just seconds, or so it seemed, to spare!”

Click here to read the rest of this post (including Fr. Tom’s premature departure from the train he rushed to catch) and others on the province blog.

Province consultant to serve in Rome

Garrett Stinson of the Sageview Advisory Group is the independent investment consultant for the province.  Dn. David Nagel, province treasurer, notes that the General Curia, in preparation for the General Chapter in 2015, asked Garrett to serve on its finance committee.  The work of the committee is to review the finances of the congregation and prepare a report for the General Chapter.  “Garrett said that he will be studying Italian in preparation for the meetings,” said Dn. David.

The first meeting of the committee will be in October with the General Finance Commission.

Reporting from SD

Fr. Anthony Kluckman, SCJ, sent a short note to let SCJs know about a few things going on in South Dakota.

“St. Joseph’s Indian School hosted the statewide Knights of Columbus finals for its annual free throw contest,” he started.  “Participants compete in age groups and shoot 25 shots; one of the competitors was from St. Joe’s.  The heavy snow that fell on Saturday caused the event to be moved back a few hours to give people a chance to make it to the school  When the shooting was underway you could almost hear a pin drop.

“Also, the South Dakota SCJ community is having its annual days of recollection. Starting on Sunday and going through Monday, Fr. Wayne Jenkins, SCJ, the province archivist, is giving the reflections.  He is sharing thoughts on the Last Supper and the Paschal  Triduum to help set the tone for the community members’ upcoming Lenten journey.”

As noted earlier, Mark Peters, the province’s new director of Justice, Peace and Reconciliation, will also be with the community in South Dakota this week.

Provincial’s time

Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ, is in Montréal for the North American councils’ meeting Monday and Tuesday. On March 6 he will take part in the Strategic Planning Meeting with the SHST board of directors, March 9 he will be at the Lux lecture, and March 13-18 he will be in the St. Louis area for a visitation and to attend the CMSM Region V meeting.

Also, Fr. Steve reminds SCJs that the due date to complete the survey in preparation for the State of the Province is March 5. A link to the online version is in the Member’s section of the province website (www.sacredheartusa.org).