News & Events | May 19, 2025
Jubilee Colloquium
On May 12, representatives from the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté, Brazil, joined faculty and staff from Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology in a “Jubilee Colloquium.” Funded by an In Trust Grant, the colloquium was an opportunity for academic conversations between the two Dehonian institutions.
The name “Jubilee Colloquium” was in honor of both the Church’s Holy Year and the Dehonian Jubilee marking Fr. Dehon’s death 100 years ago and the foundation of the Congregation 150 years ago. Among those speaking was Dr. John Gallum, professor emeritus of SHSST. He reflected on how the charism of Fr. Leo John Dehon impacted his teaching.
“Fr. Dehon wanted to prepare theologians who were informed about the world,” he said. “How do we do that in the current media landscape? Should there be specific education on both the benefits and the challenges of social media? How do we teach social and media literacy to help people discern what, of the many claims that we see each day, are true? More than ever seminarians need to embrace the fact that their education does not end with a degree.”
Other topics of the colloquium included the relationship between the Eucharist and social justice, how devotions are practiced in North and South America, and Mariology in Brazil and the US.
Besides the representatives from the two Dehonian theological institutions, also in attendance was Fr. Levi Dos Anjos Ferreira, SCJ, Dehonian vicar general.
“This collaboration is something that Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú, our superior general, has hoped to see take place for many years,” said Fr. Levi. “I am very happy to be here and to be a part of this sharing.”
A South Dakota tour
As a part of their visit to the US Province, the delegation from the Faculdade Dehoniana toured Dehonian ministries in South Dakota last week. Accompanying the Brazilians were Dr. Paul Monson, VP of Intellectual Formation & Academic Dean at SHSST and Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology. Also traveling with the group was Fr. Levi Dos Anjos Ferreira. As noted above, Fr. Levi is now vicar general; he is originally from Brazil.
Click here for more photos on Facebook; our thanks to Frater Truc Tran, SCJ, for sending the pics.
Please remember
+Fr. Zdzislaw Koziol, a member of the Polish Province, died on May 14. He was born in 1945, professed in 1961 and ordained in 1971.
+Fr. Marcos Giarola, a member of the Brazil-Saõ Paulo Province, died on May 14. He was born in 1943, professed in 1967 and ordained in 1980.
Honoring those who have died in the line of duty
May 15 is National Peace Officers Memorial Day; President John F. Kennedy established the day in 1962 to remember law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.
This year the City of Tunica (Mississippi) commemorated the day on May 14. Fr. David Szatkowski, SCJ (pictured above), gave the closing prayer. He is a chaplain with the Southaven Police Department.
Dehonian Centenary
On August 12, the Priests of the Sacred Heart commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Ven. Fr. Leo John Dehon. In 2028, the congregation celebrates the sesquicentenary of its founding. As noted above, these two moments bookend what the general administration has declared as a “Dehonian Jubilee.”
Among the Jubilee projects in the US Province is one created by the Dehonian Associates Office: monthly biographical pieces about the founder, including social media graphics in both Spanish and English. The post for June is above. Click here to access more resources.
Monthly Mass for Vocations
The next monthly Vocation Mass will be on Friday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m. at the Provincial Conference Center. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to preside, preach or serve as a reader at an upcoming Vocation Mass, please click here to contact Fr. Henry Nguyen, SCJ, vocation director.
If you are attending the June liturgy, you are welcome to stay for lunch and join the Dehon Study Center for its monthly book club gathering. See the information below.
If you do plan to stay for lunch, please click here to contact Monica Misey by May 26 so we know how much food to provide.
Beatification of Fr. Dehon and other SCJs
Fr. Ramon Domiguez Fraille, SCJ, General Postulator for the Priests of the Sacred Heart, will be the speaker at the June 6 Dehon Book Club meeting sponsored by the Dehon Study Center. He will share updates on the beatification process for Fr. Leo John Dehon and other SCJs. Come to learn about the process and to ask questions. Participants are welcome to attend the meeting in-person at the Provincialate or via Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86795180426
The Book Club gathering begins at 1:00 p.m.
As noted above, the monthly Vocation Mass is at 11:00 a.m. You are welcome to attend the Mass and join us for lunch prior to the Book Club meeting. If you plan to have lunch with us, please click here to contact Monica Misey by May 26 so we know how much food to provide.
Mary Magdalene
The focus of the May Dehon Book Club meeting was on Mary Magdalene; 15 SCJs took part. “Professor Edmondo F. Lupieri from Loyola University Chicago was the guest speaker, sharing his insights drawn from his extensive work, Mary Magdalene: From the New Testament to the New Age and Beyond,” wrote Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ, director of the Dehon Study Center.
“He emphasized that contemporary interest in Mary Magdalene was sparked by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code, leading to renewed scholarly attention,” continued Fr. Joseph. “According to the Gospels, Mary Magdalene was among Jesus’ followers who financially supported his ministry. She played a crucial role as a witness to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, being among the few followers who remained present during his execution while male disciples fled. The Gospels present varying accounts of Mary Magdalene’s role, with John’s Gospel giving her particular prominence as the first witness of the resurrected Christ. Dr. Lupieri discussed how Mary Magdalene’s identity became conflated with other biblical Marys, including Mary of Bethany and the unnamed sinful woman, leading to her portrayal as a reformed prostitute in Catholic tradition until the 20th century. This interpretation served a pastoral purpose, offering hope of redemption to sinners.
“He emphasized that while Mary Magdalene was clearly a historical figure of significance in early Christianity, many later interpretations reflect theological and pastoral concerns rather than historical facts.”
Memorial Day weekend
The Provincial Offices will be closed next Monday, May 26, for Memorial Day. There will be no Fridge Notes published. The next Fridge Notes will be on Monday, June 2.
We pray…
God of power and mercy,
you destroy war and put down earthly pride.
Banish violence from our midst and wipe away our tears,
that we may all deserve to be called your sons
and daughters.
Keep in your mercy those men and women
who have died in the cause of freedom
and bring them safely
into your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this though Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Prayer from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
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