THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF April 16, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald starts the week in Montréal at the combined meeting of the North American councils and superiors. Soon after, he has board meetings in Mississippi. Please remember… Anna Fette, the mother of Br. Mike Fette, who has been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease and dementia for the past year-and-a-half. Her health is now rapidly declining. Fr. Tom Westhoven, who continues his recovery in a Chamberlain hospital. He had his feeding tube removed last week and is now able to eat conventional foods, though it will be a gradual adjustment. His confusion seems to be decreasing and generally only seems to be a problem in the evening. Baileys Harbor The staff at St. Joseph’s Retreat Center in Baileys Harbor, shares the following: 1. Fr. John Klingler and Fr. Joe Dean were elected chair and secretary respectively of the Board of Advisors for St. Joseph Retreat 2. There are still openings on the following guided retreats; they are especially recommended to SCJs still looking for a summer retreat: -Nature Retreat with Guided Walks, May 29 - June 2. -“Encountering Jesus” for priests by Fr. Joe Dean, SCJ, July 9 - 13. -Priests retreat with Dr. Richard Johnson, author, August 13 - 17. Other guided retreats still have openings as do some directed weeks. 3. The Guest House has openings for SCJs looking for a spring or summer getaway. Call Br. Ray Kozuch (920-839-9113) to reserve a time. What it means to be a “Lay Dehonian” Grace Escobia, a Lay Dehonian in the Philippines, recently wrote about the impact of the Dehonian charism in her life. Her reflection was printed in the Philippine District’s Pearl of the Orient. The following is taken from the article: “My involvement with the Dehonian Fathers started in 2000 when I volunteered my legal services [she is an attorney] to the Kasanag Daughters Foundation, Inc. Fr. Eduardo Agüero was coordinator. A few months later, Fr. Eduardo invited me to a day of recollection. One of the facilitators was Fr. Aloisio Back, who gave the orientation and discussed Dehonian spirituality. “In hindsight, I believe that my connection with the SCJs is not by chance. God willed it. Perhaps it takes root in my deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Probably, it has something to do also with my strong sense of service to others, especially the excluded and marginalized. I am deeply disturbed with the inequalities of life and the plight of those who are living on the fringes of our society. I needed to have an apostolate. “The best thing about being a Lay Dehonian is that it gives me an identity, an identity that is a privilege and responsibility. The Ecce Venio of Christ, the Ecce Ancilla of Mary and the Vivat Cor Jesu are the mantras that I have slowly imbibed (in my active involvement with the Dehonian community) and which I firmly believe will sustain me in my journey through my life of faith… “The Dehonian spirituality of love and oblation, availability and self-surrender, and reparation, struck a chord in my heart. These have enhanced the good in me and strengthened my relationship with God and a loving devotion to His Sacred Heart.” If you would like to read more articles about the SCJs in the Philippines, go to the district’s web site at: www.scjphil.org. Anniversaries During Sacred Heart School of Theology’s Employee/Volunteer Recognition Dinner on Wednesday, April 18, Frs. Justin Guiltnane and Michael van der Peet will be recognized for their 60 years in vows. Also to be honored will be Fr. Charles Bisgrove for his fifth year of service to SHST. 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 given an adequate answer to the pastoral and missionary needs of those populations. Speaking of… Speaking of the missions, Sacred Heart School of Theology will have a Rite of Sending ceremony for Fr. Charles Bisgrove, who is preparing for a two-year assignment in the District of India.