A day of celebrations
Nationally in the United States, today is celebrated as Columbus Day. However, in many places, such as South Dakota, the second Monday of October is commemorated as Native American or Indigenous People’s Day.
This week’s Dehonian Spirituality update features a prayer for the day based on the SCJ Rule of Life, No. 28: “We will search for the signs of your presence in the lives of people where your saving love is active.”
Click here to view the prayer in full.
Also, a Happy Canadian Thanksgiving (eh?) to our neighbors in the north!
Delivered to your e-box?
Starting later this month the weekly reflections and prayers posted on the Dehonian Spirituality section of the province website will be available as an email, similar in style to the e-blast that is done for the Fridge Notes (weekly news of the U.S. Province) each week.
Click here if you would like to be put on the mailing list for the e-mailing. Just as with the Fridge Notes, anyone is welcome to be on the subscription list.
Closing in on the finish
Remodeling of the lobby at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology is just about done. Although much of the work involved infrastructure changes that can’t be seen (including asbestos removal, heating and air system updates, sprinklers and a variety of energy-saving initiatives) the changes that are visible offer a much brighter and welcoming lobby and assembly area.
Renovations include a stone façade on the chapel wall that matches the stone work already in place in the entrance, a skylight leading to the chapel (similar to the skylight directly within the chapel), lighter colored wood tones, a brighter and more open reception area, and a fireplace (fake, but energy efficient!).
The lobby is expected to be open for use by the end of the month.
Updates from St. Joe’s
Fr. Anthony Kluckman, chaplain at St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD, wrote with a few updates on the school blog last week:
“Throughout the school year, St. Joseph’s high school students visit various colleges and trade schools as they consider their future. Last week, several or our seniors, juniors and sophomores traveled to the University of South Dakota to learn more about the campus and classes offered there…
“You may have heard about the recent difficulties at Chicago’s airports. The ripple effect of this disruption in air travel made it all the way to South Dakota. Our team going to the donor luncheon in Chicago this past weekend had their flight cancelled. In an effort to keep our scheduled events, the decision was made to drive to Chicago.
“Justina and Treyah did a great job speaking to our donors. The trip was made extra special by a visit from Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, past director of St. Joseph’s and current provincial superior. He joined the team for the Saturday lunch and sightseeing. Fr. Steve grew up near Chicago and was excited to show the team the local sights…
“Within the next few days, St. Joseph’s will be hosting exchange students from Germany. [St. Joe’s has had a long-running exchange program with an SCJ school in the German Province.]
Click here to read more on St. Joe’s blog site.
Welcome back!
After a month in Vietnam helping the new SCJ district set up its archives and filing systems, Fr. Wayne Jenkins, province archivist, is back home at the US provincial archives. Welcome home!
Congratulations!
Fourteen seminarians at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology were instituted as acolytes last week. Bishop Donald Hying, auxiliary bishop of Milwaukee, presided.
Reminder for SCJs
Br. Frank Presto, provincial secretary, reminds SCJs in the U.S. Province that one of the requirements needed for Praesidium reaccreditation is that each member in public ministry document that he has had training for mandatory reporting.
Those who are affected by this requirement should have received a letter detailing how to access the one-hour training module. As of Friday, approximately 50% of the province had done the training and submitted documentation. The deadline for completing this is October 31. All of those in public ministry must meet this requirement.
Questions? Click here to contact Br. Frank by email or call him at the Provincial Offices.
Have you “liked” it?
As noted last week, the Generalate has created a Facebook page to help share news of the congregation. Click here to visit it, and if you are a Facebook member, be sure to “like” it.
This does not replace the Facebook page of the U.S. Province . There may be some overlap now and then, but generally the posts on each will be unique. The Generalate’s FB page will feature more about the congregation around the world, which is now found in over 40 countries on five continents.
On the blog
Fr. Tom Cassidy continues to post regularly on our province blog. Last week he reflected on the Indian education system.
“The church, through religious communities, especially sisters’ communities, run many schools,” he wrote. “These schools have always enjoyed good reputations for the education they offer. You’ll see many schools advertise that they give their classes in English or teach English.
“English is important for several reasons given the influence of Britain on India since it was a colony for many years. Because of this, English is one of the common languages of the country. More important, it became the language of education. Today Hindi is also an important language of education though it, in part, depends on where you live in India…
“As for the SCJs, English is important as it is not only the common language of the district but it is also the common language among all four of our Asian entities.”
Click here to read the rest of this and other entries on the province blog.
Also, happy birthday to Fr. Tom, who spends much of his birthday moderating the Indian District Chapter. It begins today.
Update
Fr. Maurice Légaré writes with an update on Br.Vermont Bengourion, an SCJ from Cameroon who is being treated in Montréal for an extensive knee injury.
“He had his first surgery in a clinic near Montreal on October 8,” wrote Fr. Maurice. “This surgery was to give more flexibility to his left knee. The surgeon had to sever a ligament. He also noted that there were some large holes in his bones, and he had to do a bone transplant. Everything went well and today Br. Bengourion will begin physical therapy. In two or three months, he should have a second surgery to regain full use of his leg.”
During his medical treatment Br. Vermont is a part of the SCJ community in Montréal.
You might be a poet and not even know it!
The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) has created the Book Spine Poetry Contest as part of the national celebration of Theological Libraries Month (October).
The Dehon Library staff at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology encourage people to create poetry using the titles of books from the library. Just gather, stack, and snap a photo. Post your photo to Twitter or Facebook using #TLM2014. Be sure to tag @yourATLA on Twitter or on Facebook so you can be entered into the contest.
Library staff are happy to help poets post their entries on social media.
The American Theological Library Association (ATLA) will be will be reposting their favorite photos throughout the month of October. Three winners will be chosen and showcased in the ATLA Newsletter and receive a $25 gift card.
All photos must be posted by midnight on October 31.
Please remember
Fr. Giustino D’Addario, a member of the South Italian Province, died October 7. He was born in 1929, professed in 1947 and ordained in 1956.
Closing shot
Early last week Fr. Stephen Huffstetter welcomed Bishop Camillus Raymond Umoh, bishop of Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria, to the Provincialate Offices. Bishop Umoh was visiting Fr. Michael Udoekpo, a priest from his diocese who is an assistant professor of scripture at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology.
After board meetings in South Dakota, Fr. Steve returns to Hales Corners this week to take part in meetings of the SHSST board on Thursday and Friday.
Next week he and the council host members of the Canadian administration for a joint meeting on October 21 at the Provincial Conference Center. The next day, the U.S. Province Council meets.
