News & Events | November 03, 2025
Dehonian schools around the world!
On October 28, Sacred Heart School – Southaven, MS, and Our Lady of Guadalupe School Houston participated in an international online conference of Dehonian schools hosted by the Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur in Quebec. Besides representatives from the USA and Canada, students and staff from schools in Spain, Madagascar, Chile, Brazil and Indonesia took part. Approximately 75 people participated.
The conference theme, “Love in Action: Creating Tomorrow’s World,” inspired students to reflect on how faith can shape a more compassionate and responsible world. Fr. Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú, SCJ, superior general, opened the event, after which, each school identified a challenge within their community and proposed ways to respond with faith and service.
“Projects ranged from environmental care through recycling and composting to anti-bullying initiatives and promoting positive mental health through friendship and inclusion,” said Bridget Martin, principal of Sacred Heart. “Sacred Heart School highlighted our work on recycling and litter prevention.”
Celena Farley of Our Lady of Guadalupe said that “Our students had an amazing opportunity to take action on a world issue that they felt passionate about: recycling. The theme of our presentation was ‘From Gross to Growth.'”
Students and staff from the Séminaire du Sacré-Cœur spoke about their participation in last year’s North American Conference on Climate Change and Nuclear Weapons (held in Mississippi) which inspired them to encourage young people to become educated on the issues of the conference and to take action to address them.
Fr. Richard Woodbury, SCJ, closed the session by encouraging all students to “keep an Open Heart and Open Mind,” echoing the SCJs’ Mission Statement.
Education – from childhood through seminary education and adult formation – was a passion of our founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon. The Priests of the Sacred Heart continue to seek ways to be the “educational advocates” of which Fr. Dehon spoke, addressing students and parents at the opening of St. John’s Institute, one of the SCJs’ first ministries:
“We come before you as educational advocates. We fully realize the importance of the work that we are undertaking. We fully understand our responsibility towards parents who entrust to us what they hold most dear, towards the society from which we shall train a few selected members, and towards God, who loves childhood so much and who wishes to see it treated with the utmost respect.”
Organizers hope to make this a yearly event.
Anastasiia Lavrynets, Coordinator of International Student Programs at Séminaire du Sacré-Coeur, prepared a music video featuring the hymn, “Open Heart and Mind,” for the conference. Click here or on the image below to view it.
Please remember
The mother of Andy Kubacki, who works with the St. Joseph Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, died. Andy’s wife, Nora, is the house manager of the Sacred Heart Community at SHML. Please keep the family in prayer.
Memorial cards
We have a few memorial cards left from the funerals of Fr. Yvon Sheehy, SCJ, and Fr. Chuck Wonch, SCJ. Contact Mary Gorski if you would like to receive one or more.
Studying Dilexi te
On the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, October 4, 2025, Pope Leo XIV published his first apostolic exhortation, Dilexi te, a major text dedicated to love for the poor.
Fr. Michael Simo Tengo, SCJ, a theologian in Dublin, wrote a reflection on Dilexi te, in which he outlines nine major points in the document. He begins by noting that the title refers to a verse from the Book of Revelation: “I have loved you.” The exhortation is the completion of work begun by Pope Francis as a follow-up to Dilexit nos and focuses on the Church’s social teachings and the theme of Vatican II. Pope Leo closes by calling for personal involvement in the transformation of structures of injustice.
Click here to read Fr. Michael’s text on the general website.
Updates
Fr. Richard Johnston, SCJ, is back home following several months in a rehabilitation facility to build his strength. He is receiving in-home physical therapy and occupational therapy. Please continue to keep him in prayer.
Dehon Book Club
The next Dehon Book Club meeting will be this Friday, November 7, at 1:00 p.m. (Central/Chicago). The focus will be on Section 1 of Father Dehon and the French School by William Recker. Click here to access Section 1. Fr. Joseph notes that he recently completed translation of the full book into English. If you would like a copy, or have questions about the book club, please contact him: Jmukuna@dehoniansusa.org or call 414-427-7265.
Participants in the Dehon Book Club are welcome to come to the Provincial Offices to take part in book club discussions in-person, or use the following information to join via Zoom:
Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81515880849
Meeting ID: 815 1588 0849
Other news from the DSC
Besides the monthly book club meeting, Fr. Joseph Mukuna shares a few other news items from the Dehon Study Center. The annual DSC calendar is going to the printer this week. SCJs can expect to receive a copy later this month. This year’s calendar theme: “How am I inspired by the Heart of Jesus? Carrying on the legacy of Dilexit nos in the spirit of Fr. Leo John Dehon.”
The SCJs’ International Spirituality Commission will meet in Rome from November 3-8; Fr. Joseph, chairperson of the commission, will be taking part via Zoom. He notes that he may not be readily available during that time but will be checking for phone and email messages.
St. Joseph’s scholarships
This fall, St. Joseph’s Indian School awarded $138,500 in scholarships to 86 Native American students pursuing higher education. Recipients included 32 St. Joe’s alumni, 34 family members of alumni and 20 other tribal members.
The Čhaŋkú Lúta Scholarship comes from the Lakota words for the “Red Road,” a commitment to live life in the best way possible with respect for oneself, others, all of creation and the Creator. Awards are determined by financial need, with consideration given to returning scholars who continue to pursue their dreams. Proof of tribal enrollment, the number of applicants, academic performance and available funds also guide the selection process. Applications are accepted for the full academic year and for each fall and spring semester. Scholarship recipients use the funds in a variety of educational options, from community colleges to graduate programs.
Holy Father’s prayer intention for November
The Pope’s prayer intention for November is for the prevention of suicide: “Let us pray that those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts might find the support, care and love they need in their community, and be open to the beauty of life.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, dial 988 for help. You can also click here to contact the 988 Lifeline via text, chat or communication options for the deaf.
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