Pieta replica on display
Bishop Joseph Kopacz of Jackson visited Christ the King parish in Southaven, MS, yesterday, to bless a life-size marble casting of Michelangelo’s Pietà. Arte Divine was given permission by the Vatican Museum to create 100 copies of the masterpiece to tour around the world, enabling those who have not had the opportunity to travel to St. Peter’s Basilica to experience the masterpiece. The sculpture will be on display at Christ the King through January.
Fr. Thi Pham (pastor-moderator; pictured above with Bishop Kopacz), Fr. Greg Schill and Fr. David Szatkowski are among the SCJs on the pastoral team that serves Christ the King.
Award honors Fr. Johnny Klingler
On October 18, Native Hope became the first recipient of the annual Johnny Klingler SCJ Social Action Award. Representatives of the US Province Justice, Peace and Reconciliation Commission presented the award on behalf of the province. The ceremony – including presentation of a $1,000 check – took place in Chamberlain, SD, where Native Hope is based.
The award was created to honor Fr. Johnny Klingler for his decades of commitment to social justice, and to recognize individuals or groups who exemplify the Dehonian charism of dedication to “ministry to the lowly and the humble, the workers and the poor” (Rule of Life #31).
Native Hope’s mission is to bring healing and hope to Native people through storytelling. Established in 2015 in partnership with St. Joseph’s Indian School it seeks to “dismantle barriers and inspire hope for Native voices unheard.”
Since 2016, Native Hope has promoted the Red Sand Project to educate the public about sex trafficking at various community events, including the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in South Dakota, where Native Hope staff were joined by members of the Sacred Heart Center in Eagle Butte.
The JPR Commission invites people to nominate a person or organization for next year’s award. Click here to contact Mark Peters about making a nomination. The award is given by the JPR Commission, with review of the Provincial Council, in the name of the US Province.
Corrections and updates
As noted last week, the October 2018 edition of the North American Personnel Directory has been mailed. It was sent to all SCJs and Dehonian students in the US and Canada, as well as various province offices. If you need another copy, contact Nancy Grzesiak at the Provincial Offices (414-425-6910).
On page 12, please note that Fr. Steve Wiese’s date of death should be January 13, 2018, not January 18 as is printed. The correct date is in the online necrology in the Members’ section of the US Province website. Also, Thuan Nguyen, a candidate from Vietnam studying at SHSST, now has a phone number. It has been added to the online directory.
As of last week, the following general councilors have “dehon.it” email addresses: Fr. Alexander Sapta D. Handoko (alexander.sapta@dehon.it) and Fr. Levi dos Anjos Ferreira (levi.ferreira@dehon.it). The addresses listed for them in the Personnel Directory are their personal email addresses.
Please let Mary Gorski (414-427-4266) know of corrections and/or updates for the directory.
Fr. Paul Kelly honored
One of Fr. Paul Kelly’s greatest passions has been spiritual formation. For many years, he served as a spiritual director at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, and as SHSST Vice President for Spiritual and Human Formation. The SCJ is now retired.
On October 18, Fr. Paul was honored during SHSST’s annual Awards Banquet for his many years of service to the seminary.
“I have found that the ministry of spiritual direction has been a unique opportunity to help others (and myself) to experience God’s graciousness in the midst of struggles, decisions, triumphs and tragedies,” wrote Fr. Paul in the e-publication Dehonian Spirituality. “The inner journey isn’t an easy one. Having a trusted companion is a great gift and mutual blessing.”
He continued, noting that “spiritual direction is both a grace and an art! It touches both director and directee. The unfolding of one’s life in the light of the love and mercy of God is a grace. As an art, it demands of the director a deep knowledge of self and of God’s ways, a listening heart, and a desire to help set another free. The director must become aware of his/her own journey to inner freedom.”
Also honored at the awards dinner was Bishop Gerald Frederick Kicanas, bishop emeritus of the Tucson Diocese and apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Las Cruces.
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Sharing the Dehonian Associates program
David Schimmel, province director of Dehonian Associates, led the October 8 staff in-service for Sacred Heart Southern Missions in Mississippi. His topic? The Dehonian Associates. Two years ago, a group of about a dozen SHSM personnel took part in the Spiritual Path, a 10-session introduction to the spirituality of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. It is based on the congregation’s formative program on the Dehonian charism.
Barbara Caldwell, Chris Greer, Laura Grisham, Lois Harrison, Clara Isom, Steve Koepke, Bridget Martin, Joyce Moore and Kelly Tartt made their one-year commitment as Dehonian Associates on June 15, 2017.
“Each one of us has our own families, our own jobs and areas of ministry,” said Chris Greer at the in-serivce. “We all are walking together on our journey and we are striving to further the Kingdom of Heaven right here where God has placed us. In our family, in our work place and in our community we strive to carry out Fr. Leo John Dehon’s mission. Dehonian Spirituality has given me a new purpose and identity. One where I can be more committed in my faith, more prayerful in my day and more loving as I focus on the Heart of Jesus.”
Members of the first group of Dehonian Associates now invite others to join them in studying and living Dehonian spirituality. The in-service was an opportunity for SHSM staff to learn about the program.
Council meetings
The Provincial Council meets Tuesday and Wednesday this week (October 23-24) at the Provincialate Offices in Hales Corners. Among the agenda items will be a visit with Fr. Tom Knoebel, SHSST president-rector, for updates on the seminary, and a dialogue with Fr. Jim Schroeder, representing the Senior Life Commission. The council will also work on plans for the January 8-10, 2019, Province Conference for those in active ministry, and the June 10-14, 2019 Province Assembly.
A long layover
Fr. Mark Fortner, SCJ, writes that on his way to Indonesia he took advantage of a long layover in Hong Kong to visit with Fr. Petrus Santoso, an Indonesian SCJ doing studies; the two are pictured above. As noted last week, Fr. Mark will spend several weeks in Indonesia, where he was a missionary for many years. During his visit he will celebrate his 50th anniversary of ordination in both Jakarta and Palembang.
Closing shot
Fr. Duy Nguyen, SCJ, visited Our Lady of Guadalupe’s Fall Festival yesterday. Former pastor of the parish, he is currently on sabbatical. Fr. Duy is pictured here (right) with Fr. Francois Tsanga, SCJ, the current parish administrator, along with a parishioner. More photos from the festival are the OLG Facebook page and on the province page. Our thanks to Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, for the photos.
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