Fr. John van den Hengel, Fr. Gilbert Kamta Tatsi, Fr. Jack Kurps and David Schimmel discuss introductory questions at the Dehonian Family Conference

Dehonian Family meets in Rome

From May 15-20 David Schimmel, province director of Dehonian Associates, and Fr. Jack Kurps are representing North America at the international Dehonian Family gathering (Famiglia Dehoniana) at the Generalate in Rome. Over 35 lay men and women from around the world, along with SCJs from each continent and the General Curia, are a part of the conference.

Ida Coelho (in red), an alum from SHST's ESL program, introduces herself to the community. — Ida Coelho (in red), an alum from SHST’s ESL program, introduces herself to the community. Behind her is another ESL alum, Fr. Tomasz Flak.

The participation of laity in the Dehonian charism goes back to the first days of the Priests of the Sacred Heart.  Eventually, “Dehonian Family” became an umbrella term that referred to the many expressions of the charism in the world.

In 2011 the General Curia established a working group to develop a formation tool to help people better learn about Fr. Dehon and his charism. Called the “Spiritual Path,” it is proposed as a four-year program based in monthly sessions of sharing, instruction and prayer.  “What is important to remember is that this is a work in progress,” said Fr. Adérito Barbosa. A member of the working group, he introduced the program to conference participants. Reviewing and giving feedback on the document is one of the main tasks of the Dehonian Family Conference.

Click here go to the Generalate website for more information about the gathering.

Click here to view photo albums from the days.

Dehonian Spirituality

“I really feel honored to be an Army chaplain,” wrote Fr. Mark Mastin in last week’s Dehonian Spirituality reflection. “Every time I look at the photo I have of Fr. Dehon helping soldiers during the war of his era, I cannot but think how he and I are connected. We share the same desire to help soldiers regardless of the reason for war. We both have felt saddened by what war does to the soul and spirit of people…

“To me, oblation means availability and sacrifice. As a religious, life should not always be comfortable or convenient. It means being present with people in their sufferings—compassionate if you will. It’s being a bridge of hope to people, especially young people, who cannot make sense or find meaning in life. As instruments of God’s mission, simple words of encouragement go a long way without ever having to mention anything spiritual or religious. Saying that someone is doing a good job has the same effect.”

Click here to read other reflections and prayers on Dehonian Spirituality page.

Fr. John van den Hengel, Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko and Fr. Angelo Arrighini during the anniversary Mass for Cristo Re.

Cristo Re in Rome celebrates 80 years

On Sunday, May 18, parishioners at the SCJs’ Sacro Cuore di Cristo Re Basilica in Rome celebrated the 80th anniversary the church’s inauguration. Joining them in the jubilee Mass was Cardinal Stanislaw Rylko, the cardinal-deacon of the parish.

Among those concelebrating the anniversary Mass were Fr. John van den Hengel (SCJ vicar general), Fr. Claudio Weber (general councilor), Fr. Rinaldo Paganelli (general curia staff) and Fr. Oliviero Cattani, provincial superior of the North Italian Province.

Construction of Cristo Re began in 1924 and two years later it was established as a parish by Pope Pius XI. The church was inaugurated in 1934, and on July 3, 1965, it received the title of “minor basilica.”  An SCJ parish since its beginning, the congregation’s generalate was located on the property for many years.

Click here to view a photo album from the celebration.

Newly ordained deacons in the Philippines

Six deacons ordained for Asia

“Friday’s celebrations were simply marvelous!” wrote Fr. Tom Cassidy in his blog post about the diaconate ordinations in the Philippines. “The parishioners of St. Isidore the Farmer did themselves proud in providing a wonderful liturgical atmosphere for the six deacons-to-be and their families.” The SCJs who were ordained were from the Philippines and Vietnam.

“I wish I had enough bandwidth to embed a short video I took at the start of the Mass,” added Fr. Tom. “Friday marked the third day in a row where we had heavy rains during the late afternoon, usually between 3:00 p.m. and sunset. Friday saw the heaviest downpour though with less thunder and lightning. The roof of the new church is metal and does not have much, if any soundproofing, and the din of the heavy downpour made on the church almost drowned out the singing and praying. Luckily the church has a good sound system that could rise above the deluge Mother Nature was dropping from the sky.”

Click here to read the rest of this and other posts on the province blog.

Fridges Notes on Tuesday next week

Because of the Memorial Day holiday the Fridge Notes will be published next week on Tuesday, May 27, instead of the usual Monday.

Provincial’s time

This week Fr. Stephen Huffstetter will take part in the May 20 Mass of Healing at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology; the next day he meets with the SHST board of directors. May 25-29 Fr. Steve does his visitation with the Sacred Heart Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake.