THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF April 10, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald has board meetings in South Dakota this week, and in Mississippi the next week. In between, he will take part in the combined meeting of the North American councils and superiors in Montréal, April 15-16. Please remember… Mrs. Pierrette Lepage-Woodbury, 67, who died Saturday, April 7, after a long illness. She was Fr. Richard Woodbury’s sister-in-law. Fr. Tom Westhoven, who continues to recover from complications from pneumonia and diabetes. There are continued signs of improvement, but he is expected to remain in the hospital for another week or two. It is hoped that he can get off the feeding tube soon and slowly begin a conventional diet. An infected wound is beginning to heal, though it will require attention for some time. He still has periodic confusion, but that seems to be lessening. Fr. Tom has been able to walk for longer periods of time without his walker, and overall, his strength is increasing. Also, his diabetes is under control. Fr. Luigi Morello, a member of the North Italian Province, who died April 3. He was born in 1934, professed in 1953 and ordained in 1963. Fr. Enrico Agostini, a member of the North Italian Province, who died April 5. He was born in 1910, professed in 1928 and ordained in 1935. Published Fr. David Jackson had the following letter published in the April 6th National Catholic Reporter: “John Allen ends his Web column on the Vatican censure of Jon Sobrino saying that Fr. Sobrino told Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, superior general of the Jesuits, that the notification will likely cause ‘some suffering’ to his friends and family. Though not a friend of Jon Sobrino, I met him and heard him give a talk in El Salvador some 10 years ago. Having read the full text of the notification and the explanatory note of the notification, I am truly sad and suffering. My lasting impression of Jon Sobrino was that this was truly a spiritual and holy man. How seldom I have that experience with clergy, bishops and cardinals in our Catholic church. This whole process and explanation reminds me of what a fellow priest once said on visiting Rome and the Vatican. ‘Seeing how these prelates walk so auspiciously in their multicolored cassocks and attire, briefcase in hand, I understand now how they can take themselves so seriously.’” Easter greetings Fr. Rino Venturin, district superior of the Philippines, wrote with Easter greetings to the province, as well as updates on the district: “Please be united with us in our thanksgiving for all of God’s graces showered upon our district. With God’s blessing we grow slowly but steadily. We just admitted 11 postulants to the novitiate on March 25th and five novices are to make their first profession of vows on May 13th. “Through the generosity of our SCJ benefactors, our little family can finally complete its formation structures. Last September we celebrated the blessing of the new theologate in Manila. On May 13th we will bless the new novitiate in Dumalinao, Zamboanga del Sur. God is great indeed! Have a blessed Easter!” St. Joe’s in France For the past four years, St. Joseph’s Indian School has been active in Germany, sharing Native American culture and the work of the school. The interaction has had many benefits, not the least of which is a growing donor base in Germany. The school is now broadening its efforts, expanding its program to France, the birthplace of the founder, and the congregation. Kory Christianson and Neoma Rossow, working with Creative Direct Marking International, visited France to set up a secretarial office. While there, they met with several French professionals who will assist them in their efforts, including an attorney, accountants, and a mail processing vendor. “After nearly a year of bureaucratic paper-pushing, we have finally received word from French financial and legal authorities that we are registered to do business in France as ‘St. Josephs du Dakota,’” wrote Kory. “Our plan is to be in the mail, testing new donor acquisition packages late this spring and there is reason for optimism. Many organizations that mail successfully in Germany have also had success in France.” For news on the German program, please go to: www.stjosefs.de. Mission intention The Holy Father’s mission intention for April: That the number of priestly and religious vocations may grow in North America and the countries of the Pacific Ocean, in order to give an adequate answer to the pastoral and missionary needs of those populations. Reminder As noted in March, the formation program is seeking summer ministry placements for the province’s candidates. Programs can be tailored to the particular needs of just about any ministry in the province. It’s a great way for SCJs to get to know the young men preparing for religious life and a great way for candidates to better know the member of the province and their ministries. Generally, the commitment is for three weeks, but that can be negotiated. Again, the formation team can tailor the program to each community and its ministries. To welcome a candidate to your community, contact Fr. Michael Burke or Br. Michael Fette. Both are at the Chicago formation house. You can e-mail them at: michael-burke@juno.com or mfettescj@yahoo.com.