In May and June the U.S. Province celebrates the priesthood ordination of two of its members: Dn. Duy Nguyen, SCJ, on June 11 and and Dn. Greg Schill, SCJ, on May 21 . Classmates, Dn. Duy was ordained to the diaconate last October and Dn. Greg was ordained a deacon in November.
Dn. Greg, 34, is originally from San Antonio, Texas. Before entering candidacy with the Priests of the Sacred Heart in 2003, he served in the U.S Marine Corps for four years. Following an honorable discharge, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. In May, Dn. Greg received his Master’s of Divinity from Catholic Theological Union, Chicago.
“The welcoming spirit and presence of the SCJs attracted me to the Priests of the Sacred Heart,” said Dn. Greg. “I cannot tell you how many times I have brought guests to Dehon House and heard them comment on how much they appreciated the community and energy of the place.
“The SCJs’ emphasis on reaching out to the poor and marginalized has also given me the spirit and inspiration to become an SCJ.”
Dn. Greg professed his first vows in 2006. In 2008, he completed a CPE program (Clinical Pastoral Education) and did his pastoral year in northern Mississippi. During the past summer he, and Dn. Duy, spent two months in Argentina doing an intensive Spanish language course.
As a student in Chicago Dn. Greg was active with Chicago Lighthouse, an organization that assists people who are visually impaired. In 2009 he was named “Volunteer of the Year.” To give a sense of the significance of the award, Dn. Greg was one of 300-plus volunteers at the center. These volunteers are in addition to the 200 paid staff members.
On October 2, Dn. Greg made his final profession of vows, also at Sacred Heart. He is now a part of the pastoral team at St. Martin of Tours Parish in Franklin, Wis., that includes Fr. Yvon Sheehy, SCJ (pastor), Fr. Thi Pham, SCJ and Fr. Bob Naglich, SCJ.
Among those in attendance at Dn. Greg’s ordination was novitiate classmate Dn. Duy. Since his diaconate ordination, Dn. Duy has been a member of the Mississippi pastoral team that ministers to Christ the King Parish (where he was ordained), St. Gregory Parish in Senatobia, Holy Spirit Parish in Hernando and Good Shepherd Parish in Robinsonville.
His ministry is varied so that he gets a good sampling of parish life. “I preach once a week on the weekdays, and once a month at the Sunday Masses,” he said. “I did two baptisms, one house blessing, and I subbed once for a CCD class for 2nd graders.
Dn. Duy, who still refers to himself as the “newly minted deacon,” is also a part of a team that is trying to develop a young adult ministry program.
“Of course, I also attend various meetings, such as pastoral council meetings and so forth. I’m getting a broad sense of our different parishes and their needs and ministries.”
So far, he said that what he enjoys the most is meeting with and talking to the many people who are a part of the parishes. “But with four, it’s hard to remember people’s names,” he said.
Northern Mississippi has a quickly growing Hispanic population, which has allowed Dn. Duy to put his newly-learned Spanish skills to good use.
“I’ve taught two baptism classes in Spanish,” he said, adding that he has also done bilingual homilies.
It takes many years of preparation to become a full-time minister, either as an ordained member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart or as a brother. For Dn. Duy, there were undergraduate studies at the University of Illinois – Champagne and the University of Illinois – Chicago, as well as several years at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago where he earned his Master of Divinity last spring.
What does it feel like to be out of school?
“I feel like I am putting into practice what I learned at CTU,” he said. “It is good to finally be out of school and engaged in full-time ministry.”
Be sure to check the website shortly after May 21 and June 11 for photos and news from the two priesthood ordinations!
