News & Events | November 24, 2025
“If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough.”
– Meister Eckhart
Please note that the Provincial Offices will be closed November 27-28 for Thanksgiving; reopening on Monday, December 1. We hope that you have a wonderful holiday celebration!
News for the week:
NCYC 2025!
Members of our province vocation team were in Indianapolis from November 20-22 for the National Catholic Youth Conference. The annual event brings together high school-age teens (and their adult chaperones) from around the country for three days of prayer, community, evangelization, catechesis and service. The Priests of the Sacred Heart had a booth in the expo hall where they are visited with young people, answering questions about religious life and vocations to the Church. Staffing the booth were Fr. Hendrik (“Ardi”) Ardianto, SCJ (vocation director), Fr. Rafael Querobin, SCJ, Fra. Truc Tran, SCJ and Victoria Stirek (director of youth ministry in northern Mississippi).
Please continue to keep our young people in your prayers as they discern God’s path for them. Do you know of someone who has questions about religious life and the priesthood? Have them contact our Vocation Office by clicking here.
Prep for the missions begins in Hales Corners
For many of its students, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology’s ECS program (English and Cultural Studies) is a stepping stone on the way to a new mission assignment.
That was certainly the case for Fr. Mário Henrique da Costa Nunes, SCJ, who was an ECS student earlier this year. Originally from Brazil, Fr. Mário (pictured on the left) is now a member of the Dutch Region, serving in the international mission based in Nijmegen along with Fr. Jesús Baena Valbuena, SCJ (right), of Spain and Fr. Michal Tabak, SCJ (center), of Poland.
Soon after his arrival in the Netherlands, Fr. Mário agreed to an interview about the new assignment, and what led up to it. One of the first questions was “Why the Netherlands?”
“That is an interesting question, since in Brazil our congregation has many other missionary works,” said Fr. Mário, meaning that Brazilian missionaries are found in many areas of the world OTHER than the Netherlands.
The Priests of the Sacred Heart have been in the Netherlands since the earliest days of the congregation. In the 1960s, the Dutch Province had more than 800 members.
“They did extraordinary work with the poor in schools, with migrants, and even in the spiritual care of seafarers,” said Fr. Mário. “Throughout its fruitful history the Dutch Province sent more than 500 missionaries to other countries! The people of this country contributed so much to the evangelization of many places. Continuing this legacy is a task of great responsibility.”
Click here to read more on the US Province website.
Classmates honor Fr. Steve
Three of Fr. Steve Pujdak’s novitiate classmates – Fr. Tom Cassidy, Fr. Mark Fortner and Fr. Patrick Lloyd (pictured above) – joined Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, at the altar on Friday, Nov. 21, concelebrating the Mass of Christian Burial for Fr. Steve who died on Nov. 12.
Click here to read Fr. Pat’s homily.
Click here to view photos from the Funeral Mass.
Please note that there is also a recording of the livestream of the Mass, but unfortunately, technical difficulties interfered with the sound. Our apologies to those who tuned in and who could not hear much of the Mass.
Screenshot
SCJ to be named blessed
On Friday, Nov. 21, Fr. Martino Capelli, SCJ, was one of two Italian priests approved by the Holy Father for beatification. He and Fr. Ubaldo Marchioni, a diocesan priest, were killed by the Nazis in 1944 in Emilia Romagna, Italy, during the Nazi occupation. According to the Vatican News website, the two priests “refused to abandon the communities entrusted to their care, communities that were tragically struck by SS roundups.”
Click here to read more about Fr. Martino.
SCJ Memorial Day
In 2004 the General Administration established November 26 as “SCJ Memorial Day,” a moment of remembrance for members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart who gave their lives as martyrs. It was on November 26, 1964, that Bishop Joseph Wittebols, along with six other SCJs, were martyred in Congo. They were among 28 members of the community who were killed during the country’s Simba Revolution. In total, there are 49 SCJ martyrs.
SCJ Memorial Day has now become a moment of wider remembrance for our Dehonian priests and brothers who have gone before us. This year we remember in a special way those who have said “Yes” to service in the missions.
Click here to read more about SCJ Memorial Day and to download a liturgical guide for commemorating the day.
Reminder! Dec. 1 Advent Hour of Recollection
The Advent Hour of Recollection for employees and other collaborators will be on Monday, December 1 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. (Central).
Zoom link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89575567354?pwd=vcvbFfasaCopkQ7vljMExFhT54AuGb.1
Theme: “Reflective Listening for Leaders: Cultivating Meaningful Connection with Those You Serve”
The presenter, Kay Eibl, is a professional counselor with expertise in communication; her focus will be on reflective listening skills. Reflective listening is a vital tool for helping people hear where God is calling them in their lives. This program is sponsored by the Dehonian Associates Office to provide ongoing formation and support to the many people who collaborate with the Priests of the Sacred Heart. However, SCJs are very welcome to take part! Questions? Click here to contact Monica Misey.
Greetings from South Africa
Fr. Charles Brown, SCJ, writes that “I’m here at the Dehonian pre-novitiate house in Johannesburg, South Africa, giving two weeks of conferences for the postulants on SCJ spirituality grounded in the Synoptic Gospels. I am here with Fr. Zacchaeus Tembo, SCJ, the director of the program and am so blessed to be a small part of Dehonian formation for these fine young men. After a second week here, I’ll move to Aliwal North to be with the SCJ novices (I know those fellows already: I worked with them last year as postulants).
“Blessings to all”
Fr. Charlie is pictured above with his students.
Click here to subscribe to the weekly news (Fridge Notes) via email