THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF August 6, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. Tom Cassidy was installed as the 13th provincial superior last Tuesday, July 31. He is in the Milwaukee area most of this week, doing a visitation with the 37th Street Community. At the end of the week he will go to Cleveland for the CMSM (Conference of Major Superiors of Men) national gathering. Fr. Richard MacDonald, the out-going provincial superior, was busy this past weekend with jubilee festivities – more info below. Fr. Mac will soon resume ministry with the Raymondville Community. Congratulations! The province celebrated the jubilees of seven SCJs this weekend: Frs. Jan de Jong, David Jackson, Richard MacDonald, Anthony Russo, Raymond Vega and Frank Wittouck noted their 50th anniversary of religious profession and Fr. Stephen Huffstetter celebrated 25 years as an SCJ. There is much diversity in the backgrounds and ministries of the jubilarians. Fr. Jan, originally from the Dutch Province, has spent most of his religious life in academics, teaching on the university level and in CPE programs. He just returned from a sabbatical in South Africa where he did CPE supervision. Fr. Dave has been a part of ministry in the Rio Grande Valley for many years, as has Fr. Mac. Of course, Fr. Mac spent the past six years as provincial superior of the U.S. Province. Fr. Ray ministered for many years as a registered nurse, first in the United States and then in Indonesia. Originally a brother, he was ordained to the priesthood and did pastoral ministry among Hispanic Catholics. Fr. Frank has been involved in a wide range of ministries, including many years as a military chaplain, in academics and most recently, in parish ministry in Houston and now Raymondville, Texas. Fr. Steve has dedicated most of his years as a religious to the people of South Dakota. He has been a member of the pastoral teams in Eagle Butte and Lower Brule, and for the past several years been the president of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD. Photos of the jubilee Mass can be viewed at www.scjusa.smugmug.com. Click on the appropriate gallery. Welcome! On Sunday, August 5, the congregation welcomed two new members: Brs. Long Nguyen and Clay Diaz. The two professed their first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart following their one-year novitiate. Fellow novice, Brian Tompkins, will profess his vows next week with the Canadian Region. All three novices are preparing for ministry as religious brothers. In his homily, Fr. Cassidy reminded those gathered that it is the vocation of brother that often reinforces or reminds others about what the vocation of religious life is all about. Long is a native of Thibodaux, La., and became a candidate in 2003. He has studied at St. Xavier University and Catholic Theological Union. One of his favorite pastimes is writing – something which has benefited the Fridge Notes several times. Clay was born in Massachusetts but he didn’t stay there long. He graduated from high school in Concord, NH, and then moved to Puerto Rico, where much of his family is based. He also began his candidacy in 2003 and studied at St. Xavier. Photos from the ceremony can be viewed at www.scjusa.smugmug.com. Click on the appropriate gallery. More congrats Fraters Duy Nguyen and Greg Schill renewed their vows on August 4. Both made their first profession last year. Please remember… Evelyn Hennen, the mother of Br. Lyle Hennen, who recently moved to hospice care. The granddaughter of Fr. Chuck Wonch, who was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Conference Photos from the two-day Provincial Conference, held last week in Hales Corners, can be viewed at www.scjusa.smugmug.com. Click on the appropriate gallery. Update Fr. Byron Haaland 414-779-0712 bhaaland@stanncenter.org Provincial photos If you would like to receive a photo of the provincial superior for your house or office, please contact Mary Gorski by the end of this week (August 10) to indicate how many and what size (generally 5x7 or 8x10). You can reach Mary at 414-427-4266 or by e-mail at marygorski@sbcglobal.net. For SCJs in MKE The Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Services office of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will host “Contemporary Challenges in Today’s Ministry: Understanding Ethics, Boundaries and Healthy Use of Power in Today’s Church.” The program is scheduled for October 11 from 1 – 4 p.m. at the Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center in St. Francis, Wis. To register, or get more information, contact Amy Peterson at petersona@archmil.org or 414-758-1005. Please note that the archdiocese has discontinued Veritus, but recommends continued training in regards to ethics and boundaries issues.