THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF July 30, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald finishes his last days in office with a council meeting and the provincial conference. Fr. Tom Cassidy will be installed on Tuesday as the 13th provincial superior of the U.S. Province. His week will be much like that of his predecessor – council meetings and the provincial conference. Thank you Fr. Zdzislaw Huber of the Finnish Region recently wrote with his thanks for a donation from the U.S. Province to the region. Fr. Zdzislaw explained many of the needs of his region – especially those of his parish of St. Olaf’s – when he was in Hales Corners for a sabbatical earlier this year. He writes: “Your help gives us the opportunity to continue our work. We are very grateful for this. At St. Olaf Parish we are starting the remodeling. Water drains have been put in the ground, and pipes are being connected to the church. Now we will start to make holes in the walls for new pipes. “With the help of a parishioner we are painting. “Now it is coming time to pay our workers. Your funds make this possible. “Thank you for the work your province does for the congregation and for whole Church. I especially give thanks to Fr. Paul Grizzelle Reid, the mission secretary, for his assistance. May God bless you for the work you have done. Also, many thanks to Dn. David Nagel, the provincial treasurer and mission procurator for his excellent work. Many thanks to the Provincial Council old and new. Special thanks to Fr. Provincial — Fr. Richard MacDonald — for listening to me when I spoke of our problems. He was so open to helping us in our desperate situation. May the Almighty God bless all of you.” More thanks Fr. Brian McCullough writes: “The Masses, cards, e-mails, floral tributes and presence of so many SCJs, employees and associates were much appreciated by me and my family. Ethel had a great send-off. Bagpipes, prayers and people dear to her heart were near as she was laid to rest. Again, thank you.” Updates Fr. Steve Pujdak has a new e-mail address: spujdak@aceweb.com Please remember… Fr. Jacobus Custer, a member of the Flemish-Dutch Province, who died July 5. He was born in 1924, professed in 1943 and ordained in 1949. Fr. Andries Lemahieu, a member of the South African Province, who died July 12. He was born in 1925, professed in 1944 and ordained in 1952. Fr. Klaus Gerhartz, a member of the German Province, who died July 16. He was born in 1945, professed in 1987 and ordained in 1993. Br. Heinrich Thaddäus Hackmann, a member of the German Province, who died July 22. He was born in 1930 and professed in 1952. Provincial Conference Over half of the province will be in Hales Corners this week for the Provincial Conference, July 31 through August 1. It is to be a time to help the incoming administration determine the needs and priorities of the province for the next few years. We hope to have photos from it, as well as brief reports, on the Fridge Notes web site. Celebration weekend This weekend the province celebrates the vow renewals of Fraters Greg Schill and Duy Nguyen; the jubilees of Frs. Jan de Jong, David Jackson, Richard MacDonald, Anthony Russo, Raymond Vega, Frank Wittouck and Stephen Huffstetter; and the first professions of Clay Diaz and Long Nguyen. All ceremonies will take place at Sacred Heart Monastery. Happy birthday! Those celebrating birthdays in August include: Fr. Steve Pujdak (64) on August 2, Br. Peter Mankins (78), Br. Bernard Taube (75) and Fr. Walter van As (84) on August 8, Fr. Justin Guiltnane (80) on August 12, Br. Ha Tran (39) on August 15, Fr. Leonard Elder (66) on August 19, Br. Ray Kozuch (62) on August 22, Br. Frank Snider (61) and Br. Frank Presto (52) on August 28, Fr. Joseph George Coppens (87) on August 29, Fr. Richard Zelonis (79) on August 30 and Fr. Herman Falke (79) on August 31. Prayer intentions The Holy Father’s general prayer intention for August is: “That all those who are going through moments of inner difficulty and trial may find in Christ the light and support which leads them to discover authentic happiness.” His mission intention: “That the Church in China may bear witness to ever greater inner cohesion and may manifest her effective and visible communion with Peter's Successor.”