THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF June 11, 2007...
Provincial’s time After a busy week with the Election Assembly, Fr. MacDonald is spending most of this week in the office. On Friday, he will be the main celebrant at the feast of the Sacred Heart Mass hosted by the Province Development Office at Sacred Heart Monastery/School of Theology. New administration Fr. Tom Cassidy was elected provincial superior at last week’s Election Assembly. Those elected to the Provincial Council: Fr. Yvon Sheehy, Fr. Jack Kurps, Fr. Jim Brackin, Fr. Vien Nguyen and Dn. David Nagel. Results are pending the approval of the general superior and his council. The new administration is scheduled to take office in August. The following is a brief look at the newly elected: FR. TOM CASSIDY, 64, is currently president-rector of Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wis., and a member of the Provincial Council. He has served two terms on the General Council in Rome. Prior to his first-term election in 1991, he was on the provincial staff for the U.S. Province. He came to the Provincialate after serving as principal and then as superintendent of St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, S.D. Fr. Tom was also principal of Divine Heart Seminary in Donaldson, Ind., and spent several years teaching. Fr. Tom is a 1971 graduate of Sacred Heart School of Theology, and also holds a master’s degree in political science from Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and a second master’s degree in religious studies from Mundelin College in Chicago. In 1978, he earned an Education Specialist (EdS) degree in School Administration from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. A Milwaukee native, he professed his first vows with the community in 1962 and was ordained to the priesthood in 1971. FR. YVON SHEEHY, 56, currently serves as director of vocations and formation. He is also the current vice-provincial. Fr. Yvon was professed in 1969 and ordained in 1978. For many years, he ministered in South Dakota, and was instrumental in helping to develop a team approach to ministry on the Cheyenne River Reservation, as well as in Lower Brule, SD. FR. JACK KURPS, 56, is executive director of Sacred Heart Southern Missions and spiritual director of the Sacred Heart League. He has also worked for many years in vocations and has served as a delegate to the General Chapter in Rome. Fr. Jack was professed in 1972 and ordained in 1977. As is Fr. Yvon, Fr. Jack is a member of the current Provincial Council. FR JIM BRACKIN, 61, is director of senior life for the province. He was professed in 1972, and ordained in 1975. Fr. Jim has served in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas, has worked in formation, and before being named to his current position, was president-rector of Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners. He also has a degree in law and has practiced as a lawyer. FR. VIEN NGUYEN, 33, is currently on the pastoral staff at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Houston, Texas. He was professed in 1997 and ordained in 2004. A native of Vietnam, he began his studies with the SCJs in 1994, first in San Antonio, and then as a theology student at Chicago Theological Union. He returns to Chicago this summer to begin formation ministry. DN. DAVID NAGEL, 56, is currently treasurer of the U.S. Province. Dn. David professed his vows in 1972 and ministered for over 30 years as a religious brother before being ordained to the diaconate in 2003. He has served at Sacred Heart School of Theology and in the province’s formation ministry. However, most of his years of ministry were at St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota. Among his roles at St. Joseph’s: director of operations and director of development. He has been a delegate to the General Chapter and has previously served on the Provincial Council, including the present council. Pictures Photos from the Election Assembly and events that took place during the week can be viewed at: http://www.scjusa.smugmug.com. Please remember… Ann Princil, the niece of Fr. Tom Cassidy. She was diagnosed last week with nodule cancer. She had what she thought was a wart removed and it proved to cancerous. Thankfully, results from blood work have been optimistic. Results from a bone scan are expected at the end of the week. As Fr. Tom’s sister writes: “Ann is a very busy gal and needs all of her energy to keep going.” Ann teaches first grade, is raising three adopted children and is in-charge of the children’s liturgy at her church. Buying or selling? All SCJs and SCJ entities that buy and/or sell cars are reminded that they MUST notify the provincial treasurer’s office ASAP when a vehicle transaction takes place. This is for insurance purposes and is very important. If the office isn’t notified, the vehicle is NOT insured. Thus, a car should not be driven until the office is contacted and the insurance has been updated. When cars are sold, the office must also be contacted for insurance purposes. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Kevin Stanke (414-427-4270), John Kuxhause (414-427-4269) or Dn. David Nagel (414-427-4268). Happy feast day! This Friday, June 15, is feast of the Sacred Heart. The Provincialate Offices will be closed.