THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF March 20, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald is giving a parish retreat this week; Holy Week he will be in Raymondville. Please remember… Fr. Tom Westhoven, who continues to be treated for complications from pneumonia, an infection and diabetes. Last week, Fr. Tom moved from Sioux Falls to a Chamberlain hospital, where he can be closer to the SCJ community in Lower Brule and in Chamberlain. Fr. Tom continues to have confusion, but is able to have conversations with visitors and medical staff. He has talked about the parishes where he ministers and has been able to express how he is doing (which, he says, “is much better”). His blood sugar continues to be high, but not as severe as before. Another area of concern is a difficult bed sore that seems to be infected. There is a possibility that the infection could be one of the causes of his confusion. He continues on a feeding tube because of problems with his throat, which are being investigated. Fr. Tom’s hearing is improving somewhat. When asked how his hearing was he told a visitor “Terrible, you will have to shout louder.” This was actually a positive response, since it meant that he could indeed hear the question and had the presence of mind to answer it! Open your doors! The formation program is seeking summer ministry placements for the province’s candidates. Programs can be tailored to the particular needs of just about any ministry in the province. It’s a wonderful opportunity for SCJs to get to know the young men preparing for religious life and a great way for candidates to better know the members of the province and their ministries. Generally, the commitment is for three weeks, but that can be negotiated. Again, the formation team can tailor the program to each community and its ministries. To welcome a candidate to your community, contact Fr. Michael Burke or Br. Michael Fette. Both are at the Chicago formation house. You can e-mail them at: michael-burke@juno.com or mfettescj@yahoo.com. Recovering Fr. Paul Grizzelle Reid, mission secretary, recently spoke with Bishop Joseph Potocnak. The bishop, as you may remember, was stabbed in a thwarted robbery attempt in January. Fr. Paul said that Bishop Joe has healed well and is in good spirits. He thanks SCJs and others in the U.S. Province for their prayers and support in response to the incident, as well as their continued prayers for the Church in South Africa. Awarded Fr. Franz van der Hoff, a member of the Dutch Province who has ministered in Mexico for many years, was awarded the prestigious “North-South Award” by the Council of Europe. The award has been given each year since 1995 to two candidates who have stood out for their exceptional commitment to the protection of human rights, the defense of pluralistic democracy and the promotion of North-South partnerships and solidarity. He received the award at a ceremony March 19 at the Portuguese Parliament. Attending the ceremony were the president of Portugal, the president of the Assembly of the Portuguese Republic, the vice president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and the secretary general of the Council of Europe. Also there were several SCJs, including the provincial superiors of the Dutch and North Italian Provinces and the Cardinal of Lisbon. Fr. Franz serves in churches (over 32 mission stations) in the mountainous area of Ixtepec. He is a founding member of UCIRI, a large-scale ecological coffee cooperative that exports free-trade coffee to European and North American countries. Buyers include Starbucks. The organization has also expanded to other ventures, including jams using locally produced berries, and eco-tourism. Many worldwide consider Fr. Franz to be one of the founders of the fair-trade movement. Last year, fair trade products grossed more than $1 billion. Mukhtaran Bibi of Pakistan was the second recipient of the North-South Award. She was recognized for her work in promoting women’s rights in Pakistan. Prayer request Wilfredo Corniel Castellanos, a member of the Venezuelan Province, requests prayers from the congregation on the occassion of his final profession. The ceremony was March 24. Fire in Tunica There was a major fire next door to the Catholic Social Services office in Tunica, Miss., last week. A fire wall protected CSS, a ministry of Sacred Heart Southern Missions, but only from the fire itself. The office still suffered extensive water and smoke damage. Srs. Gus Griffin and Angela Susalla, as well as other staff, are moving into temporary office space while the situation is being assessed. One of the programs that is operated out of the office is Project Good Mother, which has been highlighted in the SCJ News, as well as at the 2006 Mission Education Conference. Happy birthday! Those celebrating birthdays in April include: Fr. Chuck Kelly (71) April 8, Fr. Ken Mitchell (87) and Fr. George Balderrama (80) April 16, Fr. Jim Walters (57) April 17, Fr. Jim Schifano (62) April 19, Fr. Ray Vega (83) April 22, Br. Duane Lemke (35) April 26, Fr. Tom Lind (75) April 27 and Fr. Paul Casper (77) April 29.