Preparing for a new administration
Six years ago Fr. Tom Cassidy was elected to his first term as provincial superior of the U.S. Province. Leaving his position as president-rector of Sacred Heart School of Theology, Fr. Tom succeeded Fr. Richard MacDonald.
And now after two three-year terms, it is time for another SCJ to lead the province.
Starting next Monday, June 3, the province membership will gather in Hales Corners to begin the election process. Extended Eucharistic Adoration will be available in the main chapel at SHST from 10 a.m. to noon on June 3. The first working session of the election assembly will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Provincialate Conference Center.
Monday’s liturgy will be at 4:30 p.m. in the main chapel, followed by a social and dinner.
Although Fr. Jim Casper of the Canadian Region was originally scheduled to moderate the assembly, his mother’s declining health forced him to cancel his time with the province. Fr. Peter McKenna, also of Canada, will step in for him. Fr. Peter has previously served as moderator.
The revised schedule and other preparatory information, including local communities’ reflections on the State of the Province, are in the Members’ section of the province website. If you need assistance in accessing the Member’s section contact Mary Gorski.
Remodeling continues
As noted last week, the province website has a new look. Slowly, but surely we are updating the various components of the site, including the online personnel directory. Please – if you see an error in the online directory, contact Mary Gorski.
Of course, any time an SCJ changes his address, phone and/or email information he should inform someone at the Provincialate. You can call (414-427-4261) or email Nancy Gray, province administrative assistant, with updates.
News to share?
All province communications depend on information from the membership, co-workers, friends and other collaborators. Share what is going on in your ministry and/or community. News items do not need to be long, and you don’t need to have a degree in journalism to submit them. Give us a few facts and we can put the story together.
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Last post from the Philippines
After two months in the Philippines teaching English, Fr. Bernie Rosinski is on his way home. He is expected back in Hales Corners on Thursday.
Before packing his bags Bernie wrote a final post for the province blog.
“Recently here in the Philippines I was called on to say an English Mass on Pentecost Sunday in Our Lady of Fatima Parish in the Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro,” wrote Fr. Bernie…
“During the course of the week I also learned that I would be required to administer the sacrament of baptism to one child. When Sunday actually rolled round, like the miracle of loaves and fishes, one baby multiplied to five waiting to be baptized…
“When I first saw the ritual book I panicked; it was in Filipino, which I do not know. I then prevailed upon a woman catechist to translate my English while I read from an English language ritual…”
Click here to read the rest of the story.
Please remember
Fr. Battista Zucchinali, a member of the North Italian Province, died May 25. He was born in 1933, professed in 1951 and ordained in 1960.
New project for London
For several years the Priests of the Sacred Heart have discussed having an international presence in London. However, set-backs, including the untimely deaths of two SCJs who first explored options for the project (Frs. Michael Walshe and Jerry Sheehy), kept the idea on the backburner.
However, during its assembly in September, 2012, members of the British-Irish Province decided that it is “now or never,” said Fr. Hugh Hanley, provincial superior. In May, Fr. Hugh went to Rome to discuss the idea with the general council. The council endorsed the proposal.
Members of the British-Irish Province will now meet with the four bishops of Greater London to seek their approval and welcome. The hope is to establish two small, semi-autonomous international communities. They will be a part of the British-Irish Province, but like the new initiative in Berlin, they are also to be an international project of the congregation.
Click here to read more about the initiative.
Remembering IHM 40 years later
Craig B. McKee, a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary’s (Bellfontaine) class of 1973, writes with memories of his time with the SCJs:
“Dear SCJs past and present,
“Forty years have come and gone since my May 26, 1973, graduation from the hallowed halls of Bellefontaine, Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary in Lenox, MA. Since then, my teaching career has taken me around the world, most recently to Hong Kong.
“The seeds of this career were planted early at Bellefontaine when I ‘substituted’ in Fr. Tom Burns’ French classes while he and others were on the nationwide search committee leading to the Chicago House of Studies. Delightful memories of the education and formation gained from many of you during those four years of high school and beyond have in some ways influenced my decisions and strategies ever since.
“Please accept my personal thanks, and that of my classmates, for all that you did for us. I hope the website my class created ten years ago for our 30th virtual reunion has afforded a few moments of pleasurable recollection of our mutual ‘neiges d’antan!’
“Vivat Cor Jesu!”
Click here to read a recent bio on Craig.
Happy birthday!
Those celebrating birthdays in June include Fr. Vincent Suparman (50) on June 5, Fr Ed Griesemer (83) and Br. Ben Humpfer (69) on June 9, Fr. Roger Phaneuf (75) on June 12, Fr. Yvon Sheehy (63) on June 18, Fr. Nick Brown (71) on June 22, Fr. Paul Tennyson (70) on June 23, Br. Matthew Miles (74) and Fr. Francis Vu Tran (37) on June 26, and Fr. J. Claude Bédard (73) on June 28.
Reaching out to Congolese youth
Many of Kisangani’s youth have only known a life of war and violence. Calm is often just a brief breath of fresh air in the midst of protest and conflict. Kisangani is the third largest in the Democratic Republic of Congo and it reflects much of the struggles of the country itself.
In the midst of this, the Priests of the Sacred Heart created “Gradi-Jeunes,” a youth project that offers young people an opportunity to come together to learn about and dialogue on issues they face, as well simply spend time together in a safe environment. Occasionally the organization is able to gather enough funds to take young people out on a short excursion beyond the city.
In mid-May, Grandi-Jeunes held a workshop in Kisangani with representatives from other youth organizations, as well as political, civil and military authorities. It was the first of three planned workshops focusing on the needs and concerns of young people.
Click here to read more about the workshop. One of the organizers of the project is Fr. Zenon Sendeke, provincial superior of Congo, who many American SCJs may remember from his sabbatical in North American two years ago.
Provincial’s time
Fr. Tom Cassidy is in the office this week, and takes part in the election assembly next week.
