News & Events | October 20, 2025
Another step on the path
Congratulations to Fraters Hung Pham, SCJ, and Long Nguyen, SCJ, who made their Profession of Faith and took the Oath of Fidelity last Thursday as a part of the preparation for their diaconate ordinations on December 8 at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Archbishop Jeffrey Grob of Milwaukee will be the ordaining bishop.
Click here to view photos from last week’s ceremony that are posted on the US Province Facebook page. Our thanks to Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, for taking them.
Please remember
+Fr. Angelo Carrara, a member of the North Italian Province, died on October 13. He was born in 1927, professed in 1945 and ordained in 1953.
Thank you
Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, writes that “I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your prayers and support following the passing of my uncle. Due to the quick funeral arrangements at the direction of the local bishop, none of the other family members in the United States could make it to the funeral. I was the only one representing the family, arriving just hours before the funeral Mass. It was very heartwarming for me to be there to witness and hear stories of how he ministered to them. Despite the heavy rain, severe thunderstorm, and flooding, people still came to pay him respect.”
Visit to Brazil
After hosting several members of the faculty and staff of the Faculdade Dehoniana for the “Jubilee Colloquium” In Hales Corners in May, the Faculdade Dehoniana in Taubaté, Brazil welcomed representatives from Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology for a visit earlier this month. The schools – both significant international apostolates of the Priests of the Sacred Heart – are developing possibilities for interactive and collaborative. The SHSST representatives are pictured here with their counterparts in Taubaté during a colloquium on collaboration between peer-to-peer institutions.
A few good stories
“The Priests of the Sacred Heart and Good Stories You Won’t Hear in the News” was the title of Monica Misey’s presentation at “Cocktails and Catholicism” on October 10 at Holy Spirit Church in Hernando, MS. “I shared a bit about Fr. Dehon, the Priests and the Sacred Heart and their US ministries, and the many good stories that I see every day in my work.”
Her work? Monica is province director of Dehonian Associates.
After outlining the story of the founder’s life, Monica went on to share stories about several SCJs and Dehonian ministries, and offered an invitation to the Dehonian Associates program, a way for people to learn about Dehonian Spirituality and consider incorporating it into their lives.
“Fr. John Czyzynski was one of the first [SCJ] priests whom I interviewed,” said Monica to audience. “I asked him to explain Dehonian spirituality to me. He leaned forward in his chair and said ‘Monica, God is crazy about you!’ Then he just sat silent so I could let that sink in for a little bit. I’m a type A person who doesn’t often stop and let things soak in. But God is crazy about every single one of us. And that is the very simple version of Dehonian spirituality. Their mission is to be prophets of love and servants of reconciliation. Something that is very needed in today’s world.”
Click here or on the image above to see the full recording of Monica’s presentation.
Reminder: Sacred Heart Symposium at SHSST
As noted previously, Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology will sponsor a symposium on the Sacred Heart, this week, October 23-24. The title: “ The Sacred Heart Poured Out for the World The Church’s Mission in Light of Dilexit nos.”
The first day centers on the theme of personal conversion — conforming one’s heart to the Heart of Christ. Drawing upon Dilexit nos, the final encyclical of Pope Francis, participants will consider the theological and spiritual foundations of Sacred Heart devotion as a path of deep interior renewal.
The second day turns to the social implications of this spiritual transformation, examining how conformed hearts are called to act in the world. With reference to Rerum Novarum and the Catholic social vision articulated by Pope Leo XIII, the sessions will explore the integration of Sacred Heart spirituality with a commitment to justice, solidarity, and the common good.
Together, these two movements – contemplative and active – reflect the mission of SHSST and the Priests of the Sacred Heart: hearts formed in Christ, poured out in service to the world.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Papal Nuncio, will open the conference. He is at SHSST this week for the annual “Collegial Sharing Among Brother Bishops.”
Click here for more information, including the schedule and livestream links. Note that the livestream information is found under the “Registration” button. Recordings of the speakers will be available after the conference on the SHSST YouTube channel.
Reflecting on the Jewish-Arab conflict
On Wednesday, October 22 at 1:00 p.m. the Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies is hosting another session in its Holy Land Lectures Series. This week, the focus will be on the Jewish-Arab conflict, tracing it from ancient origins to the present day.
“The first part of the session will provide key historical background, important dates, and major events,” wrote Liran Gerassi, director of the Lux Center. “The second half will be an interactive Q&A session, where you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in thoughtful discussion. Feel free to prepare questions in advance or send them to me beforehand, and I’ll do my best to address them during the session.”
The session will be in classroom 2. Questions? Contact Liran (pictured above) at lgerassi@shsst.edu or call 414-858-4724.
Animated by love
“In the summer of 2017, when I was contemplating joining the first Cor Unum cohort at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, Dr. Patrick Russell, our Academic Dean, introduced me to the Dehonian charism saying, ‘In contemplation of Christ in Eucharistic Adoration we ask, where is Jesus’ heart breaking in the world and then we go there to make repair.’ I was hooked. Eight years later I’m still hooked.”
The words above were written by William Lipscomb, a graduate of SHSST’s Cor Unum program and a former member of the school’s Board of Directors. He was one of two writers in this month’s As a Rule. The topic: “Animated by love,” with Rule of Life No. 25 as the starting point.
Bill continued: “St Ignatius of Loyola asked retreatants making his Spiritual Exercises to put themselves before Jesus on the cross and ask, ‘What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ?’ St Theresa of Avila taught that we are the physicality of Christ in the world. As the SCJ Rule of Life envisions, we are the way that Christ cares for the wounded, the lonely, the forgotten, and the weary, those whom our societies exclude and those who suffer on the margins of our communities around the world.
“Take this all to heart and to prayer, perhaps in Eucharistic Adoration. Ask Jesus where his heart is breaking in the world. Ask what you can do to begin to make repair, right here and right now. And then get to work.”
Click here to read the full October issue of As a Rule, which also includes a reflection by Ruth Markworth, a member of the SHSST staff for the past 14 years. Ruth closed with a quote from Fr. Byron Haaland, SCJ:
“Love can transform people. Convince someone that they are loved and just watch. They can do anything.”
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