News & Events | November 02, 2026
Praying for those who have gone before us
Yesterday, on the Solemnity of All Saints, students in the English and Cultural Studies program at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology gathered at the community mausoleum behind SHSST to remember in prayer those who have gone before us: Dehonians, benefactors, family and friends. “The students [pictured below] lit candles and together prayed the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, interceding for all the souls of the departed and for those in purgatory who are in need of our prayers,” wrote Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, residential director of ECS. “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”
And remembering those who are with us now
Writing today, on All Souls Day, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, provincial superior, reminds us that “remembrance is not only about those who have gone before us. It is also about giving thanks for those who walk with us now, whose presence, friendship, example, and even challenges, continue to shape us. None of us is formed alone. Parents, teachers, formators, confreres, parishioners, friends, and even those with whom we have struggled have helped make us who we are today.
“In this light, I am reminded of the African notion of Ubuntu, which Archbishop Desmond Tutu helped make known: “a person is a person through other persons.” We become fully human through one another, or, more simply, “I am because we are.” You have a role in my formation, and I have a role in yours. In ways both great and small, God continues to form us through one another. This is, after all, what Fr. Dehon hoped for us: Sint Unum, “that they may be one” (John 17:21).
Recently deceased
+ Fr. Joseph Duquet, a member of the Franco-European Province, died on October 25. He was born in 1931, professed in 1951 and ordained in 1958.
+ Eugene Munn, a graduate of Divine Heart Seminary (class of 1976), died of cancer on October 30 at the age of 69. The visitation will be Thursday, Nov. 5 from 5-8:00 p.m. at Bowerman Funeral Home, 302 E Superior St, Munising, MI. The Funeral Mass will be on Friday, Nov. 6, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 110 W Jewell St, Munising, MI. Click here to view the obituary.
+ Msgr. Bernard Galic, a former SCJ, died on July 17. Click here to view a video of his funeral. The main celebrant was Bishop Kevin Rhoades of Fort Wayne; several of the concelebrants were alumni of Divine Heart Seminary. Paul Stuve, who sent the link, suggests listening in particular to Fr. Andrew Budzinski (time mark 2:03:30), Bishop Rhoades (time mark 2:53:50), and DH alumnus Peter Karutz (time mark 3:01:30).
Not just a meeting
“As we come together for this twice-yearly tradition, we remind ourselves that this is not just a meeting but a GATHERING to strengthen our relationships as SCJ brothers, to share what is going on in our entities, ministries and personal lives, and to talk about ways we can live as Dehonians in North America.”
With these words Fr. Gustave Lulendo, SCJ, the regional superior of Canada, opened the October 28 gathering of the US and Canadian administrations. The two groups come together twice a year, alternating locations. This time, SCJ leadership met in Toronto.
In a room that included Dehonians from around the world now serving in North America, morning prayer began with a recognition of the many peoples who have also called the area home, dating back thousands of years. Prayer concluded with a commitment to the call of SCJs to be “Prophets of Love and Servants of Reconciliation” (SCJ Constitutions No. 7), especially toward migrants and the poor.
Sr. Mary Babic, NDS, former general superior of the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion, gave a brief presentation on leadership with an emphasis on conflict resolution. She encouraged SCJs to “stay curious and be open to exploring positions different than your own,” adding that sometimes it takes courage to find shared values in the midst of conflict, “but they are there.”
Agenda topics during the meeting included continued follow-up from the North American Conference on the Dual Threats of Climate Displacement and Nuclear Weapons, collaboration between the JPR Commissions of each entity, the creation of a North American gathering or event tied to the 150th anniversary of the congregation (the Dehonian Jubilee concludes in 2028), the continuing work of the North American Dehonian Theological Commission and that of the International Spirituality Commission, and the possibility of having a gathering of local superiors from the US and Canada sometime in the next year for ongoing formation and peer support.
Sitting on a small table to the side of the meeting was a photo of Bishop Virginio Bressanelli, the former superior general who died just days earlier, as well as a relic from Fr. Martino Capelli, SCJ, beatified on September 27; both were visual connections to the worldwide congregation of which North America is a part.
The next meeting of the administrations of the US and Canada will take place in the United States on April 14, beginning with a dinner together on April 13, 2027.
PICTURED ABOVE: The two North American administrations pose with Fr. Ardi (on the screen) who took part in the meeting via Zoom. Click here to view more photos on the province Facebook page.
Dehonian schools come together virtually
Students from Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS, were among students from 16 Dehonian schools around the world who came together last week for the 2nd Annual “Open Hearts and Minds” conference via Zoom. This year’s theme: “Seeds of Peace: Planting Hope for Tomorrow.”
Members of the general administration, including Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú, SCJ (superior general), and Fr. Willyans Prado Rapozo, SCJ, (general councilor), joined the students.
“With the Dehonian family present in more than 40 countries, this conference was a beautiful reminder that although we may be separated by oceans, languages, and cultures, we are united by our shared commitment to peace, hope, compassion, and solidarity,” wrote Talisha Jones, school counselor at Sacred Heart. “Experiences like these remind us that education reaches far beyond the classroom and that even our youngest voices have a place in conversations about building a more peaceful world.”
Second year of LEAD kicks off in South Dakota
From Oct. 13-15, 23 people representing ministries from across the province gathered atSt. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD, for the second yearly gathering of the LEAD leadership retreat program. Through in-person retreats, online gatherings and digital communication, LEAD offers a multi-year program to form spiritually grounded leaders who embody the Dehonian spirit of love and reconciliation.
“Leading with Heart: Virtues, Values and Spirituality,” is the theme for the second year of the program.
Building on the content from LEAD 1, the participants dove deeper into self-leadership, understanding how values and virtues impact who a person is, how one leads, and how leaders impact others. Stories and writings from Fr. Leo John Dehon’s life were woven into the content. Participants were also introduced to the people and ministries of South Dakota. Fr. Greg Schill, SCJ, president of St. Joseph’s, hosted a social with the Lower Brule Pastoral Team. Sr. Yollie Nobabos, TMM, spoke about her ministries with the pastoral team. LEAD participants also attended a powwow held by St. Joseph’s students, visited the Dignity Statue that overlooks Chamberlain, and visited St. Mary’s in Lower Brule.
Participants in the October session had all taken part in one of the four initial LEAD retreats held during the program’s first year. “The sharing of challenges, ideas, and support was visible from the opening session,” said Monica Misey, director of Dehonian Associates and a member of the LEAD planning committee (along with Joe Tyrell of St. Joseph’s and Julie O’Connor of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology). “Many people shared personal stories and mentioned that LEAD has not only impacted their work, but themselves, their families, and community. This is a great example of how formation impacts social and ecclesial renewal, which Fr. Dehon lived and taught. People talked about ‘doing hard things in love,’ being better parents, better team members, and having more clarity, compassion. They expressed gratitude to the SCJs for their willingness to invest in this program.”
For more information about LEAD, click here to contact Monica Misey. She reminds SCJs that they too are welcome to take part in the program.
Correction
Last week we noted that several SCJ offices and ministries in Wisconsin are collaborating to help stock the shelves of a newly developing food pantry at St. Mary’s Church in Lower Brule, SD.
The JPR Commission invites Dehonian Associates, employees, volunteers and others in the Milwaukee area to help stock the pantry’s shelves. From November 2-19, collection points are set up at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake (resource room), Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology (lobby) and in the lobby of the Provincial Offices. Donations being sought include non-perishable food items, as well as toiletries and gently used and/or new winter clothing.
Financial donations are also welcome. Checks can be made out to “The Priests of the Sacred Heart,” with a note in the memo line indicating that the donation is for the Lower Brule Food Pantry. They can be dropped off in the Province Development Office box near the residents’ mailboxes at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake or sent to Pam Milczarski at the Development Office, PO Box 367 Hales Corners, WI 53130. Please note that this a CORRECTED ADDRESS from what was included in last week’s Fridge Notes.
For questions about financial donations, contact Pam at (414) 427-4230 or pmilczarski@poshusa.org. For general questions about the project, contact Monica Misey at mmisey@dehoniansusa.org or 414-427-4267.
This Friday: Dehon Book Club
The next Dehon Book Club meeting will be this Friday, November 6 at 1:00 p.m. (Central). Participants can join in-person at the Provincial Offices or via Zoom. The Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8342363189?pwd=C694epzfWtCuikz4qyhGywkdujibzp.1&omn=84454526870
Click on the following materials to download them in preparation for the meeting:
- PAPER presented by the North American Dehonian Theological Commission at the recent international theological seminar in Taubaté.
- EUROPEAN response.
Fr. John van den Hengel, SCJ, will facilitate the hour. Anyone is welcome to join in the discussion. Questions? Contact Fr. Joseph at 414-427-7265 or jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org.
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