THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF February 26, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald is in and out of the office this week. Please remember… Br. Román Aizpún Díaz, a member of the Spanish Province who died on February 21. He was born in 1924 and professed in 1941. Fr. Ciro Rondelli, a member of the North Italian Province who died February 17. He was born in 1920, professed in 1939 and ordained in 1948. Fr. Tarcilo Back, a member of the Central Brazilian Province who died February 21. He was born in 1952, professed in 1974 and ordained in 1983. Peter Westhoven, the youngest brother of Fr. Tom Westhoven, who is in the latter stages of cancer. He is now in palliative care. State champs! On February 3, 23 students from Sacred Heart School in Southaven, Miss., were in Jackson –– along with about 350 other students from across the state –– competing in the Mississippi State Chess Championship. Every competitor played five games of chess, and with each game lasting up to an hour, everyone was in for a long day. However, at the end of that long day, Sacred Heart had won its first state chess championship –actually, three state titles. It is the only Catholic school in Mississippi to have done so in the history of the championship. Vehicle registration Because of insurance needs, the Treasurer’s Office needs to have a copy of the vehicle registration for each car in the province fleet. For SCJs living in community, the registration can be given to the coordinator who can forward all of his community’s paperwork to the Treasurer’s Office. Those SCJs who live alone can send their registration information directly to Kevin Stanke at the Provincialate Offices. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Kevin at 414-427-4270 or John Kuxhause at 414-427-4269. As for those who have already taken care of this task – many thanks! Budgets It’s that time again – time for budgets! The Treasurer’s Office has sent budgets via e-mail (as Excel files) to SCJs and other province entities. Completed budgets should be returned, along with narratives, to Kevin Stanke at: provtreas3@poshusa.org. If you have questions, please e-mail Kevin, or call him at 414-427-4270. In the news The Valley Morning Star recently published a letter to the editor written by Fr. David Jackson. Reflecting on the military-industrial complex, he quotes former President Dwight D. Eisenhower: “In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. “We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.” Fr. Dave was also recently pictured in the McAllen Monitor. He was photographed while giving his reflection regarding the documentary “Hand of God,” which was screened in McAllen. Happy birthday! Those celebrating birthdays in March include: Fr. Joe Dean (60) on March 3, Fr. Jim Brackin (61) on March 4, Fr. Terry Langley (57) on March 12, Fr. Pat Lloyd (65) on March 17, Fr. Richard MacDonald (68) on March 18, Fr. Charles Brown (53) on March 19, Fr. Frank Wittouck (69) on March 23, Bishop Evert Baay (86) on March 24, Br. Gabe Kersting (85) on March 27 and Fr. Frank Burshnick (70) and Fr. Jim Schroeder (63) on March 30. Happy birthday! Break-in Sr. Charles Palm, OSB, a member of the Lower Brule Pastoral Team, reports that the church at Big Bend, SD, was recently robbed. Burglars stole a gold chalice and ciborium, the holy water sprinkler and pot, the incensor, and even the candle sticks from the altar! Catholic Thought Institute The Society of Catholic Social Scientists will host the Summer Catholic Social Thought Institute May 21-25 at the Catholic University in Washington, DC. The University is also a co-sponsor. Topics to be covered include the Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church, as well as social encyclicals and the Catholic approach to social sciences. For information, contact Beth Matanzo at 740-284-5836, bmatanzo@franciscan.edu.