News & Events | October 12, 2026
How to bring the writings of Fr. Dehon to a wider audience?
Revisiting the theme of last summer’s International Dehonian Theological Seminar – “Dehon in His Texts” (Taubaté, Brazil July 30-Aug. 4) – members of the North American Dehonian Theological Commission met at the US Provincialate on Oct. 8 to discuss how to “make Dehonian theological reflection more accessible across North America,” said Fr. Joseph Mukuna, SCJ. Fr. Joseph, secretary of the commission, is director of the Dehon Study Center.
At the seminar in Brazil, participants reflected on the founder’s writings from five categories: his diary, spiritual writings, social reflection, his letters, and Fr. Dehon’s writings on “The Reign of the Sacred Heart in souls and societies,” said Fr. John van den Hengel, SCJ, chairperson of the North American commission. “We asked ourselves how the process adopted for the seminar in Taubate could be used to assist with reading the sometimes difficult texts of Fr. Dehon.”
During the meeting in Hales Corners, members of the North American commission also discussed how the papers from the international seminar could be disseminated to SCJs and Associates in the US and Canada, as well as the relationship between social engagement and devotion in Fr. Dehon’s writings, and the possibility of organizing a retreat in North America inspired by the founder’s Couronnes d’amour.
Besides Fr. John and Fr. Joseph, members of the commission who participated in last week’s meeting included Fr. Gustave Lulendo N’dotony, Fr. Andrzej Sudol, Fr. Guy Bertrand Wabo (pictured below) and Fr. Ricardo Teixera. They were joined by Dr. Jeremy Blackwood (Professor, Systematic Theology at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology) and Dr. Michael Brummond (Associate Professor at SHSST, Liturgical and Sacramental Theology), who attended the international seminar in Brazil.
Click here to view a few photos from the meeting on the US Facebook page. The North American commission will next meet via Zoom on January 6, 2027.
Keep in prayer
Fr. Guy Blair’s sister, Denise, continues to battle a number of health issues following the death of her husband, Ben, on September 25. Last week, just days after she was discharged from the hospital where she was being treated for heart failure and pneumonia, she returned via ambulance. She is at St Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT. Please continue to keep Denise in your prayers.
Also, please keep several events in your prayers: The second-year LEAD retreat takes place in Chamberlain, SD, from October 13-14 (LEAD is a leadership training program based in Dehonian spirituality). In Florida, the province’s “young SCJs” are gathering together for a few days of prayer, reflection and fellowship. Fr. Willyans Prado Rapozo, SCJ, general councilor, is giving several presentations during the days. And in Rome, Br. Duane Lemke, SCJ, joins fellow provincial secretaries from other English-speaking entities for a workshop.
Catholic women’s leadership gathering kicks off 3rd year
Each year, the Office of Dehonian Associates coordinates several gatherings of Catholic Women Leaders in southeastern Wisconsin to build community and provide formation for women who work for Catholic organizations. “Now in its third year, we are blessed to see women forming wider circles of community, supporting each other, and collaborating on projects together,” said Monica Misey, province director of Dehonian Associates.
Beata Moberg was the featured speaker at the October 7th Catholic Women Leaders dinner. Her topic: the active role of women in the early Church, which was the theme of her master’s thesis at the University of Notre Dame. She has given presentations on the role of women in the Church throughout the Diocese of Joliet, and she is currently researching women’s place in Church history for a book on the subject. Beata is also an entrepreneur, writer, wife, mother, and as of last June, a Dehonian Associate. She is active in ministry with the Polish-American Catholic community, and with women’s ministry at her parish.
Grace Mazza Urbanski, the National Vice Director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, led the opening prayer. Fr. Ziggy Morawiec, SCJ, introduced Beata. Sarah Pandl, Director of Annual Giving at Seton Catholic Schools, led the concluding prayer. Over 40 women attended the event.
Annual Preaching Conference
The Annual Preaching Conference at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is scheduled for January 5-7, 2027. This year’s theme is “Evangelize Our Preaching.” The cost is $125 per person.
Click here to learn more and to register. Registration closes on Dec, 14. Questions? Contact Dcn. Steve Kramer, SHSST Director of Homiletics, at skramer@shsst.edu, 414-858-4767
Calendar items
October 27-28
North American Councils meeting in Toronto
November 17-18
Provincial Council meeting
December 5 (10:30 a.m.)
Final Vows – SCJ Fraters Truc Tran, Thuan Nguyen and Michael Wodarczyk will make their Perpetual Professions of Vows in the Main Chapel at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Invitations will be in the mail within the next two weeks. All SCJs are welcome to attend.
December 8 (10:00 a.m. Central)
Advent Hour of Recollection for SCJs – Sr. Wendy Cotter, CSJ, PhD, will speak in-person at the Provincial Conference Center on “Turn Around and Believe the Good News (Mk 1:15): The Advent Call of Jesus and the Markan Miracle Stories.” A Zoom link will be made available to SCJs closer to the event date. For those attending in person, lunch will be available after. Click here to take part in person. Please indicate in your email if you are staying for lunch. Sr. Wendy is a member of the St. Joseph of Canada community and a Professor Emerita of New Testament at Loyola University Chicago, with particular expertise in the Gospel of Mark and the miracle stories of Jesus. Click here to read more about her.
December 14 (11:00 a.m. Central)
Advent Hour of Recollection for Associates and Collaborators – Sr. Wendy Cotter will also be the presenter for the Hour of Recollection for Employees and Collaborators, following a similar theme to the SCJ hour. Questions? Contact Monica Misey, 414-427-4767 or mmisey@dehoniansusa.org
Zoom Link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/4346326658?omn=86812509241
Closing shot
Fr. Richard MacDonald, SCJ, is pictured here visiting with a new Dehonian Associates group that now meets monthly at the Provincialate. He shared with the group insights about his vocation, previous ministries, and Dehonian spirituality. “Participants are always grateful for the opportunity to hear from a professed SCJ about how they live Dehonian spirituality in their daily lives,” said Monica Misey, province director of Dehonian Associates.
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