News & Events | September 29, 2025
50 years!
Congratulations to the Vietnamese Catholic Community of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Since 2007, the community has worshipped at St. Martin of Tours parish where it is served by the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
The 50th anniversary was recognized yesterday (September 28) during the annual commemoration of the community’s patron saint, St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. During the gathering, those who dedicated their lives to building up the community over the past 50 years were remembered and honored. The new Vietnamese council, elected on September 14 to a three-year term, was welcomed. A reception with traditional foods followed in the parish gymnasium.
The worship community started in 1975, when the first wave of Vietnamese refugees came to Milwaukee. Fr. John Thanh Hùng, a Vietnamese priest who had been studying in the area during the Vietnam conflict, remained to minister to fellow exiles from his homeland. The group gathered for liturgies and for special celebrations at St. Anthony parish in downtown Milwaukee. The community quickly grew and in 2007, it moved to St. Martin of Tours where it has been ministered to by the Dehonians. Fr. Francis Vu Tran, SCJ, is currently pastor of the community; Fr. Andrzej Sudol, SCJ, is pastor of St. Martin of Tours.
The Vietnamese Mass is at 12:30 pm on Sundays. Anyone is welcome to worship with the community.
Click here to read more about the history of the community in a 2010 article published on the province website.
Remembering Fr. Chuck
On Monday, September 22, Fr. Chuck Wonch, SCJ, died. He was 78, and a member of the Sacred Heart Community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake in Franklin, WI.
Originally from Coleville, WA, Fr. Chuck was 50 years old when he made his first profession in 1997. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2002.
Fr. Chuck had served in the US Air Force and earned degrees in Industrial Management from Jackson State University (Mississippi) and Theological Studies from Spring Hill College (Mobile, AL) before pursing his religious vocation. Initially, he planned to serve the Church as a lay minister.
“After earning a master’s in Theological Studies I worked with many parish priests and churches around central Mississippi,” he said. At the same time, he held a full-time job for 15 years as a purchasing supervisor at Grand Gulf Nuclear Station.
But increasingly, he said “God seemed to be calling me to come and follow Him and be of service to His people.”
He was ordained to the priesthood in 2002 and soon after, joined the pastoral team that serves the Lower Brule and Crow Creek Reservations in South Dakota. In 2009, he moved to Hales Corners where he assisted at the vocation office.
Reflecting on his years of ministry as a Dehonian priest, Fr. Chuck said in an interview that “I will always treasure my time living and working with the people of Ft. Thompson and Lower Brule, South Dakota, and working with all the great priests in both the dioceses of Sioux Falls and Rapid City. I thank God for our religious community and my experiences with it; I have been blessed by them all.”
Besides his Dehonian family, Fr. Chuck is also survived by a daughter, Katie Emory, and son Tony Wonch, and grandchildren Alyssa, Aaron, Adam, Abby, and Hannah.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be tomorrow, September 30, at 10:30 a.m. at Good Shepherd Chapel at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake. A wake will be held prior to the Mass, starting at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be in Washington State on October 4.
Please remember
+ Br. Jacobus Logtens Hermanus Maria, a member of the Indonesian Province, died on September 27. He was born in 1939, professed in 1959 and made his final vows in 1962.
+ Fr. Agostino Inversini, a member of the North Italian Province, died on September 24. He was born in 1941, professed in 1960 and ordained in 1968.
New Dehonian Associate groups
On Tuesday, September 23, two new Dehonian Associate groups had their first meetings. The first was an in-person group at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology that included SHSST faculty and staff, as well as staff from the province. Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, offered welcoming remarks. Fr. Ziggy Morawiec, SCJ, was also present; he will be supporting the group throughout its first year.
On Tuesday evening there was the first meeting of an online Dehonian Associates group with six participants from across the country. Several retired SCJs are taking turns being with the group. Fr. Tony Russo, SCJ, will take part in October’s session and Fr. Frank Wittouck, SCJ, will be at the November online meeting.
“Listening to people, I believe many are seeing the fractures in the world,” said Monica Misey, province director of Dehonian Associates. “They want something better, and a way to be part of positive change. The love of the Heart of Jesus is attracting many people to learn more about the SCJs. David Schimmel created wonderful content during his time as Dehonian Associates director, and Fr. Jack Kurps, SCJ, has fostered the growth of the program. All I have done is open a door – but wow – people want to come in!”
More groups are expected to begin in South Dakota, and possibly in Illinois.
If you are interested in joining one of the groups, contact Monica at: mmisey@dehoniansusa.org, 414-427-4267.
Save the Date!
The Advent Hour of Recollection for Dehonian Collaborators will be on November 17 at 10:00 a.m. (Central). Kay Eibl will speak on Reflective Listening for Leaders: Cultivating Meaningful Connection with Those You Serve.
The annual gathering is scheduled before Advent to allow participants to reflect on the topic throughout the Advent season.
Kay Eibl is a professional counselor with expertise in communication; her focus will be on reflective listening skills. Reflective listening is a vital tool for helping people hear where God is calling them in their lives.
This program is sponsored by the Dehonian Associates Office as a way to provide ongoing formation and support to the many people who collaborate with the Priests of the Sacred Heart. It is open to all SCJs and collaborators and will be recorded for later viewing. A Zoom link will be shared closer to the date.
Questions? Contact Monica Misey at: mmisey@dehoniansusa.org.
Catholicism in Ethiopia
Fr. Abiyot Kibret Agonafer, a member of the OFM Capuchins in Ethiopia, will give a lunchtime talk about Catholicism in his home country. It will take place at noon on Thursday, Oct. 2, in Room 201 at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Fr. Abiyot is a student in the ECS program (English and Culture Studies).
New Procurator General named
Fr. Robert Galla, SCJ, a member of the Polish Province, has been named as the new Procurator General for the Priests of the Sacred Heart.
Fr. Robert made his first profession in 1991 and was ordained a priest on June 14, 1997. He holds a doctorate in Canon Law from the Pontifical Lateran University (2005), with specialization in penal procedures and ecclesiastical discipline.
He has extensive pastoral experience, including several years in the district of Finland. As a canonist, he also served for as a judge at the diocesan ecclesiastical tribunal of Helsinki and of Lublin, in Poland.
Pastoral letter on migration and immigration
At the end of last year, bishops from Central, South and North America, including Bishop Mark J. Seitz, bishop of El Paso and chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, released a pastoral letter titled “He saw them, he drew near to them & he cared for them – Walking with those who migrate, refugees, internally displaced persons and survivors of trafficking.”
As concerns about these issues increasing fill the headlines, the pastoral letter continues to be presented at and reflected on in various forums, including an online session hosted by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on October 6.
Click here to access the pastoral letter.
“As Bishops and representatives of our local churches, we commit ourselves jointly to making our solidarity real, an effective sign of God’s Reign of Life, and a humble contribution of the church to the building up of the Reign of God and ‘a more dignified world, a world without hunger, poverty, violence and war,'” write the bishops, citing Pope Francis’ Fratelli tutti.
“To all those who are welcomed by our church, in our parishes and through our various pastoral and social services, we reaffirm our commitment to serve you with tenderness and to work towards healing the wounds you have accumulated. Whatever your country of origin, language or religion, our arms are open to welcome you. We know that ‘the dream of a new future that drives people to migrate reflects a yearning for salvation that is present in all people, whatever their race or social condition’. [again, citing Pope Francis] We are firmly convinced that in giving our lives for you we give everything for Jesus Christ.”
National recognition
The Neuman Center at the University of Houston, where Fr. Quang Nguyen, SCJ, serves, is being recognized this month at the national Knights of Columbus College Councils Conference. This year there are 24 students at the UH center participating in OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation for Adults).
Click here to read an article about Fr. Quang’s ministry published on the province website in 2023.
What a field trip!
The September powwow at St. Joseph’s Indian School was an opportunity for students in our English and Culture Study Program (ECS) at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology to visit the birthplace of the US Province: South Dakota. “The journey immersed them in Lakota culture, language, and traditions by allowing for direct engagement at the Wačhípi (Powwow) festival,” said Br. Andy Gancarczyk, SCJ, residential director of the ECS program and “tour director” of the South Dakota visit. “In addition to the festival, they explored South Dakota’s significant historical and natural landmarks. We believe this experience enriched the students’ understanding of Indigenous traditions and the state’s natural beauty.”
Click here to view a few photos on the province Facebook page from the trip. Among those on the trip: Sisters Marince (Leonora) Sitohang and Susana Susmiyarti, members of the Sisters of St. Francis Charitas. The sisters are in the ECS program preparing for future collaboration with our ministries in northern Mississippi
Click here or on the image below to view a video summary of the powwow weekend; the video is from the St. Joseph Indian School Facebook page.
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