Sacred Heart principal participates in international education meeting
Bridget Martin, principal of Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS, was among those who took part in a small meeting of Dehonian educators in Rome early in September. The group was brought together to further the goals of the 2014 Educare gathering in Valencia, Spain.
Participants at the Valencia conference proposed that a network of Dehonian schools be created to help staff and students get to know one another, form a common Dehonian identity within and among the schools, seek ways of sharing resources, and promote collaborative projects.
“If we can establish such a network, the opportunities for learning skills and sharing experiences are endless in what students can gain through the exchanges,” said Bridget. “The challenge is how to pair up, and how to effectively communicate.”
Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, general councilor, also took part in the meeting. He wrote about it in an article posted on the congregational website. Click here to read it.
Canadian assembly
This week, Monday through Wednesday, members of the Canadian Region are meeting in assembly at the Providence Spirituality Centre in Kingston, Ontario. Discussion topics include vocations (including a reflection on Fr. Heiner Wilmer’s letter on the topic), the region’s website and blog, a review of Power of Attorney statements and wills, and the 2016 financial statement of the region.
The North American Migration Committee will give a presentation on Tuesday afternoon. Fr. Peter McKenna, a member of that committee, wrote that its members “will have the opportunity to speak about migration in the Canadian context. Paralleling what was experienced by members of the US Province at their assembly with the input of Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ, and Barbara Graham, members of the Canadian Region will watch the video of Sr. Norma and receive input about the Canadian reality from Joe Gunn, executive director of Citizens for Public Justice.” After the assembly, members of the Migration Committee will travel to Ottawa and Montréal to explore how Dehonians in each area can continue to welcome, assist and accompany migrants and refugees locally.
Tuesday evening the community will celebrate the region’s jubilees.
Correction
Fr. Johnny Klingler is 82, not 78 as incorrectly published in last week’s Fridge Notes. Our excuse, of course, is that Fr. Johnny always seems far more youthful than the years noted on his driver’s license.
Health and Family Services Center prepares to open
Seven ribbons symbolizing body, mind, spirit, heart, earth, sky and mission floated in the breeze during the St. Joseph’s Indian School Health and Family Services Center ribbon cutting and open house, September 15. The event was a part of the 41st Annual St. Joseph’s Powwow Weekend.
“We are deeply grateful to our many supporters who made this facility possible,” said Mike Tyrell, president of the school. “We are also aware, as we are in the process of putting the finishing touches on this building, of the many people who have labored to make this place possible.”
One by one, each of the ribbons were cut by a St. Joseph’s staff member after a prayer was sent up to the Great Spirit, marking the opening of the health facility. After the last ribbon was cut, visitors were given tours.
The center still has a short road ahead before it’s completely open. Staff are in the process of moving into their new space, and floors and plumbing are also being completed.
“We give thanks for those who contributed to this building project, for our benefactors, those who planned, those who worked to build it and those who held its vision and worked to make it a reality,” said Fr. Anthony Kluckman, school chaplain. “May this new structure carry our mission well into the future.”
Powwow video
Speaking of St. Joseph’s, the school recently posted a video from the 2017 Powwow. Click here or on the image above to view it.
Congratulations!
Dr. Paul Monson, asst. professor of Church History at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, recently had two articles published. The first was a review of the book Refuge in the Lord: Catholics, Presidents and the Politics of Immigration, 1981-2013. By Lawrence J. McAndrews (Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press, 2015) in the Journal of Ecclesiastical History 38, no. 3 (July 2017). Click here to access the online review; this is a fee-access area of the publication’s website.
Dr. Monson has a second article soon coming out in the Renewal of Catholic Higher Education: Essays on Catholic Studies in Honor of Don J. Briel (edited by Matthew T. Gerlach, 200-212. Bismarck, ND: University of Mary Press, 2017). The title of the article: “A Roman View of American Catholicism: Thinking Hemispherically.”
SHSM staff learn about “Dreamers”
During next Monday’s in-service at Sacred Heart Southern Missions, staff will learn about the impact of the repeal of DACA on undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as young children, often with little or no memories of their country of birth. Three students and a staff member from Latino Memphis will give a presentation to SHSM staff to “help us understand these issues which effect members of our local communities,” said Fr. Jack Kurps, SHSM executive director.
Out with the old in with the new
The Sacred Heart Community in Pinellas Park, FL, survived Hurricane Irma without any sustained power outages. “This was most fortunate because our back-up generator was not functional,” wrote Fr. Greg Speck, local superior.” He sent a picture above of the new Generac propane unit that replaced the old diesel fueled generator last week.
Please remember
Fr. Anthony David Austin, a member of the South African Province, died on September 29. He was born in 1932, professed in 1961 and ordained in 1961.
Loïc Kayembe Mukendi, the cousin of Fr. Élie Muzungu, died September 24, at the age of 24. He was a student at the University of Ottawa.
Week of prayer and action for migrants and refugees
On September 27, Pope Francis launched a two-year “Share the Journey” campaign to bring awareness to the plight of migrants and refugees around the world. It is estimated that there are currently 65 million displaced people, the largest such crisis since World War II.
October 7-14 is to be a week of prayer and action for migrants and refugees. Sr. Donna Markham, OP, of Catholic Charities USA, urges “each of us to work to encounter the migrants and refugees who are all around us. All too often, they seem invisible to us. We need to hear their stories, literally share their journeys, and see them as our brothers and sisters.”
Click here to read more on the US Catholic Conference of Bishops website about Share the Journey and upcoming kick-off activities.
Provincial’s time
Fr. Ed Kilianski has meetings with the Provincial Council this week, October 3-4. October 6-9, he will be with the Pinellas Park community. The meeting of the Canadian and US councils is in Montréal October 16-17. October 19-20 Fr. Ed meets with the SHSST Board of Directors; and from October 18-24 he will be filling in for Fr. Byron Haaland at the novitiate while Fr. Byron takes part in the meeting of the congregation’s novice masters in Rome.
Closing shot
Sacred Heart School in Southaven, MS, celebrates its 70th anniversary this year. The school, which is a part of Sacred Heart Southern Missions, held a day-long anniversary party earlier this month that included a picnic, “spaghetti bingo,” and a dance for alumni, teachers and staff (current and former). Below is a photo of the students
