Celebrating vows, and Easter, in the Philipines
As noted previously, Fr. Bernie Rosinski is spending several weeks with SCJs in the Philippines where he is helping with a few administrative tasks and teaching English. Last week he wrote an entry on the province blog about his some of his experiences:
“On Easter Sunday, I went by car from Cagayan de Oro to our novitiate in Dumalinao, about 200 miles away; a five hour trip that took closer to eight. We traveled west along the northern coast of Mindanao. We stopped at a hospital, privately owned (this is possible in the Philippines), where the owner — a doctor — hosted us, together with his wife. I actually ate whole roast pig and a number of other delicacies. So this stop was part of the delay.
“The Philippines sunrise is about 6:10 a.m. and sunset is about 6:30 p.m. daily. The islands are so close to the equator so day and night are almost equal. Part of our travel took place after dark. Fr. Bene Machado, district superior, was the driver. He is Brazilian and Brazilians are great racing car drivers.
“The entire highway was concrete. Except for one large industrial city, it was two lane. Let me describe the highway a little more. It has no shoulder. The highway is used by: (1) people who walk (usually in their “floppies” or flip-flop sandals) on either side of the highway, whether with or against traffic, and sometimes people sit on the side of the highway which, with a shoulder, resembles a seat or step on which to sit; (2) people with simple bicycles; (3) cyclists with racing bikes; (4) small motorbikes; (5) small motorbikes with side cars for transporting goods or passengers (usually without lights); (6) motorcycles; (7) motorcycles with sidecars for transporting goods or passengers; (8) ‘jipneys,’ which are elongated Jeeps used for transporting people and goods [in this category are also SUV’s which are converted to the same purpose] and which make frequent ‘bus’ stops along the highway; (9) large buses, which also make frequent stops along the highway; (10) big Kawasaki and Honda motorcycles, which can speedily weave in and out of traffic; (11) big trucks carrying cement, goods, gas and oil, and grain; and (12) cars, like the one we were in.”
Click here to read the rest of the blog entry.
Your invitation!
All SCJs, and those who collaborate with the Priests of the Sacred Heart, are welcome to submit entries for the province blog. Perhaps you would like to share a reflection on your ministry, or on a particular event? We have included blog entries from SCJ students, employees, missionaries and, of course, members of the community living and serving in the United States.
Please consider sharing something about yourself or your ministry. Contact Mary Gorski for more information.
SCJ spirituality a part of the faith journey of St. Joe’s principal
On the First Friday of each month the Dehon Formation Community in Chicago invites a speaker to talk about his or her vocation, faith journey and/or ministry.
Most presenters have been SCJs. Many, but not all, have been from the U.S. Province. They have included visiting missionaries, and other SCJs from around the world.
Fr. John Czyzynski said that the formation team invites outside presenters for a variety of reasons. “First, it is to emphasize the fact that ‘it takes a village’ –– a whole community –– to form those aspiring to join us. It isn’t just the work of the formation team.
“It is also a way for our men in formation to get to know more members of the community and it gives the members of the community a chance to get to know the students, as well as find out what is going on in formation.”
Occasionally, non-SCJs have spoken to the formation community, including employees who have worked with the SCJs for many years and who feel called to the charism of Fr. Leo John Dehon.
“This is a good learning experience for our students,” said Fr. John. “They see that the SCJ charism is not a private, secret possession, but a treasure we share. The students, and members of the formation team, hear from those who collaborate with us as to how our charism and mission is experienced by those who are not professed SCJs.”
This Friday, May 6, Kathleen Donohue will be one such presenter. She is principal of St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota.
“I think that non-SCJs leading the First Friday is a natural progression,” said Br. Duane Lemke, director of the formation program. “There are many people who work for the SCJs whose labor furthers our charism in remarkable ways. I’m thinking of teachers, pastoral associates, school administrators and many others who respond to God’s love by offering love to God and neighbor in return. We can be tempted as SCJs to think we have the corner on SCJ spirituality, but often these men and women are animated by it in very intentional ways. It often happens that they participate in our mission for many years, decades even. There are even a few employees who have participated in the SCJ mission in multiple apostolates, not unlike the way we ourselves do. Kathleen Donahue is one. She spent many years dedicated to our mission in Mississippi, and at St. Joseph’s Indian School. That is where I got to know her.”
During her presentation this Friday, Kathleen will speak of her faith journey, a journey that she said has become intermingled with the faith journey of the SCJs.
“The SCJs have influenced my faith journey through their openness. They allow you to question, they allow for a growing faith that is always unfolding. Their spirituality and charism invites exploration that leads to discovery and often a better sense of faith.”
What did she think when Fr. John called and asked her to speak to the formation community?
“Honored,” she said. “My faith is who I am and it is an honor that someone who knows a little bit about my faith journey wants to know more.”
Click here to read the full story on the province website.
Cameroon a province of its people
Among the new administrations announced this week by the General Curia is that of the Province of Cameroon. What makes it worth noting is that for the first time in the young province’s history, its provincial superior is an SCJ from Cameroon. Previously, the province, established by missionaries, was also lead by missionaries.
On June 14, Fr. Léopold Mfouakouet of Cameroon will begin his first three-year term as provincial superior. Fr. Léopold studied at the Gregorian in Rome and spent time as a missionary in Congo. Since 2008, he served as vice-provincial of Cameroon.
The provincial council includes Fr. Joseph Kuate, Fr. Gilbert Kamta, Fr. Christophe Dikoundou and Fr. Jean-Claude Mbassi.
Keep in prayer
-Fr. Bryan Benoit has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
-Rosemary Lantz, the sister-in-law of Fr. Gary Lantz, has liver cancer. She is 86 and Fr. Gary said that no significant medical treatment is being recommended. She is the wife of Fr. Gary’s brother, Scott. The couple lives in Springfield, Ill.
Please remember
Br. Etienne Chevalier, a member of the Franco-European Province, died May 2. He was born in 1945 and professed in 1971.
In the Members’ section
Recently posted in the “Articles of Interest” page in the Members’ section of the province website is an article by Fr. John van den Hengel, a member of the General Council. He was asked by the German Province to write a reflection on Pope Benedict’s recently published second volume on Jesus of Nazareth. The reflection will appear in one of the province’s periodicals.
“In 2007 Pope Benedict XVI (as the theologian Joseph Ratzinger and not as pope) had already given his account of Jesus from his baptism by John to his declarations about himself as the Son of God,” writes Fr. John. ” This time he tells the story of Jesus from his entry into Jerusalem to his resurrection. He does not enter into the difficult and contentious struggles about the identity of Jesus waged throughout the centuries. He wants, as much as he can, using the historical critical studies of the last fifty years, to give us the historical Jesus, the figure of the person of Jesus as can be found in the Gospels. He presents Jesus as one whom we can encounter once again through the Gospel witness of his disciples (p.9). In this second volume we meet Jesus in the last week of his life.”
Fr. John goes on to answer the question: “What does this book say about what is at the heart of the spirituality of the Priests of the Sacred Heart? How do the events and the words of Jesus during this holy week point to the heart of God and how does Jesus lead us to recognize that at the core of existence is a God who in Jesus’ wounded heart shows us the struggle and deep desire of the Father for our hearts.”
The full text of the article can be accessed from the Members’ page. For assistance in using the Members’ section, contact Mary Gorski.
Provincial’s time
Fr. Tom Cassidy concludes his meetings with CMSM in Rome later this week. He will get home just in time for Sacred Heart School of Theology’s graduation on May 6. May 9-11 he has council meetings (including the annual budget reviews), and then heads to Washington, D.C. for meetings. May 21 he will be in San Antonio for Dn. Greg Schill’s ordination to the priesthood, and May 23-24 he and the rest of the council will be in Chicago for a meeting with the administration of the Canadian Region.
Please note that while in Rome Fr. Cassidy is having internet difficulties and may not be able to read or respond to email messages until after he returns to the United States.
Upcoming meetings and events:
May 9-11: Provincial Council meeting (budgets)
May 17 & 19: Masses for the anointing of the sick, (SHST) 1 p.m.
May 21: Dn. Greg Schill’s priesthood ordination (San Antonio)
May 23-24: North American councils meeting (Chicago)
June 11: Ordination of Dn. Duy Nguyen to the priesthood (Sacred Heart Monastery)
July 1: Feast of the Sacred Heart, Mass at SHST, 11 a.m.
Week of July 11: Province Assembly, Hales Corners, Wis.
August 30-31: Provincial Council Meeting
October. 2: Pet Blessing (SHST)
October 4-5: Provincial Council Meeting
November 14-16: SCJ Retreat, Pinellas Park
December 14-15: Provincial Council Meeting
December 18: Advent Concert, 2 p.m.
