THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF March 5, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald is in the office most of this week, but will be leaving Friday for a Region V CMSM meeting in St. Louis. While there, he will visit with SCJs in the area. Please remember… Fr. Tom Westhoven, who is in intensive care at McKennon Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. On Saturday, he was brought to a Chamberlain, SD, hospital with what was thought to be pneumonia and complications from diabetes. He was flown to Sioux Falls when it was determined that his condition was very serious. He has been diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs, a blood infection, and his diabetes not stable. His kidneys ceased functioning. However, on Monday morning Fr. Tom showed slight improvement in kidney output and there are signs that antibiotics are starting to deal with the blood infection. He continues to be heavily sedated and his condition is listed as “guarded.” Fr. Paul Casper, who underwent a heart procedure today (March 5). Help wanted! Chaplain at the House of Correction in Franklin: The request is for the celebration of a Sunday Mass at least two Sundays a month. Fr. Larry Rucker has been assisting with this, but the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is having a hard time finding more priests to assist with the Masses. Member of the Tyme Out Youth Board of Directors: The position is presently held by Fr. Wayne Jenkins, who represents the Priests of the Sacred Heart. He has served on this board for a number of years and would like to be replaced. If you are interested in either of these positions, please contact Fr. Richard MacDonald at the Provincialate Offices. Thank you Fr. Michael van der Peet writes with his thanks “to my fellow SCJs. I want them to know how much I and my family appreciated their prayers and expressions of sympathy at the death of my sister-in-law, Corrie van der Peet. What most SCJs may not know is the fact that Corrie and my brother Fred worked for three years at our St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, SD, when they first came to the United States. So there is a strong bond with the SCJs.” Another win! Congratulations to the seventh and eighth grade girls’ basketball team from Sacred Heart School in Southaven, Miss. After upsetting the Red Knights of Bishop Byrne Middle School with a 22-18 victory, they were named champions of the PAA Bishop’s Tournament held last week at Christ the King School in Memphis, Tenn.  The Sacred Heart girls finished their season with a record of 12-2. New candidates On Saturday, March 3, two young men were accepted as candidates in the Chicago Formation Community. They are: Jose Emmanuel Estrada from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Juan Carlos Charum Monzon from Barranquilla, Columbia. Both will enter the college program in August. Jose graduates from high school in June and Juan Carlos has a year of college and a year of philosophy behind him. Off to India Fr. Charles Bisgrove will be on loan to the District of India for two years, beginning in July, 2007. “Fr. Charles is already well-known to our theologians,” wrote Fr. Martin van Ooy, district superior. “He will be a big help to Fr. Kusmaryadi.” Fr. Charlie will join a formation community with 32 theology students. He got to know many of them last year when he helped at the novitiate. Also returning to India is Fr. Tom Fix. An American SCJ who now serves the Indonesian Province, Fr. Fix will be in Aluva. Br. Lenny Zaworski, another American SCJ, has been with the district for several years. Mission intentions The Holy Father’s mission intention for March: Lay Formation –– that the training of catechists and lay people may be the constant concern of those responsible for young Christians. In Rome Dn. David Nagel, province treasurer, is in Rome this week for meetings of the General Finance Commission. He’ll be back in the office next week. Don’t forget! Daylight savings time is early this year. It will begin on the second Sunday of March (March 11) and end on the first Sunday in November (November 4). Spring ahead and fall back!