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The formation community with Fr. Stefan

Frater Henry Nguyen, SCJ, writes about Fr. Stefan Tertünte’s visit with the formation community at Sacred Heart Monastery. Fr. Stefan, director of the Centro Studi Dehoniani in Rome, was in Hales Corners as a responder at the November 13 Dehon Lecture at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. Henry writes:

Fr. Stefan Tertünte, SCJ, met with the formation community on November 15. Fr. Ed Zemlik and Br. Duane Lemke joined us. During his visit with us, Fr. Stefan shared with us some key points of the recently released Programmatic Letter called His Way Is Our Way that the General Administration sent to all entities as they began their 2018-2024 term.

Before diving into details of the letter, Fr. Stefan shared with us how he came to know the Priests of the Sacred Heart (SCJ): he was at a national Catholic gathering and discovered the SCJs in a magazine. No limits to the types of apostolate is what attracted him to the SCJs. He had come to learn that regardless of where we are, we remain faithful to this type of spirituality, that our charism calls us to be Christ-centered. This is rooted in Fr. Stefan’s favorite constitution citing: “As disciples of Father Dehon, we want to make union with Christ in His love for the Father and for all the principle and center of our life” (Cst 17).

We, as SCJs, are called to minister according to the signs of the time and what helps us to do that are two things identified in the programmatic letter: synodality and Sint Unum. Though synodality literally means walking together, it is not enough to describe it just as that; we as Dehonians continue to live side by side with each other and with Christ. There is this need and sense of accompaniment, living in community with one another. Part of Constitution #59 reminds us how to live as a community, “Within the Church, we are called to follow Christ and in the world to be witnesses and servants of the communion of people in a fraternal community.” As Dehonians living together under one roof in a multicultural community, “Community life requires that each one accepts others as they are with their personalities, their duties, their initiatives, and their limits, and that each one allows himself to be called in question by his brothers” in a way to be loving and accepting of one another whose cultural and upbringing is unlike our own (Cst #66). This how we also come to participate in the life of the other (confrere) in a fraternal way. We are called to accept the diversity around us as we come to work together.

This call of ours, this call of mine (ownership) can be summed up: “In Fr. Dehon’s view, the Ecce Venio defines the fundamental attitude of our life. It turns our obedience into an act of oblation; it patterns our life on Christ’s own, for the redemption of the world, to the glory of the Father” (Cst 59).

This is the spirit of the Congregation, “Our way as SCJs is to see him, with an open heart as we see Jesus’ pierced side, not only to ponder at God but to mission,” said Fr. Stefan.

During the weekend of Canadian Thanksgiving (October 12-14), Fr. Albertus Joni, SCJ,  assisted with the Indonesian Youth Retreat in Vancouver. He shares a bit about it below:

Vancouver has been mentioned so many times by magazines and newspapers as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I truly enjoyed the interior of her modern airport with all the displays of various totems and indigenous sculptures. Out of the terminal building, the scenery is even more outstanding: lines of hills and mountains surround the skyscrapers, the sparkling clean rivers and the vast ocean embrace the concrete structures. Nothing can beat the beautiful stacks of houses built on cliffs along the sea. Autumn has changed the color of trees, and they add more beauty to this natural canvas of Vancouver. It feels surreal. It is so beautiful.

Vancouver, with all its beauty, is a city that is very liveable compared to some other big cities in Europe or the United States. Maybe this is the reason why it attracts so many international students. Vancouver has more than 300 Catholic Indonesian students who are admitted to the University of British Columbia (UCB) and Simon Fraser University (SFU).

I was invited as a guest speaker for a three-day retreat with the Indonesian students of Vancouver (Mudika).

About 70 students took part in this retreat. I am very thankful for the many blessings poured out by the Heart of Jesus to these fine young men and women. Some of them gave testimony on how God led them to understand the meaning of suffering in their lives. One shared the grace of healing from seizures due to traumatic experiences in the past. There were stories of people hearing God speak personally in their hearts, helping them to turn away from superficial lives that were without meaning.

As I witnessed so many touching testimonies, I was reminded of Matthew 19:16-22, where Jesus was asked by one young man: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus ended the conversation by asking the young man to follow Him.

I believe that every retreat is a process of questioning and finding the answer about this “eternal life.” The retreat called on youth to continue to live the commitment to follow Jesus more closely in joy and contemplation.

Fr. Mac talks with a woman affected by DACA

Fr. Richard MacDonald, SCJ, a member of the North American Migration Committee, shares the following reflection on a recent source of job creation in the Rio Grande Valley:

I think this is all about “restoring human dignity” but it seems like a “win-lose” situation.  Let me share the facts:

Today the local media announced there would be a “job fair” with 200 jobs available. The jobs are tied to a migrant children’s shelter that is opening by December of this year. So far, 300 jobs have been filled, meaning that it will bring a total of 500 jobs for the area. The federal government will have a payroll budget of between $20 and $24 million dollars to run the facility.  The location will be an abandoned Walmart on the edge of Raymondville. Note that the reason Walmart closed this store is because it only brought in a profit of approximately $400,000.00 a year.

The newspaper article expresses joy at the creation of 500 jobs. I personally know many of the families who now have jobs and are giving thanks to God that that  life will be a bit easier.  The wages start at about $12 to $14 an hour; more than Walmart paid and the benefits are better!

This migrant children’s shelter in Raymondville will house another 500 minors, held in captivity, without any contact with parents or family.  It is one of many we are aware of in cities such as Harlingen, Brownsville and Weslaco. The number of people wanting to live in the United States grows regularly. We are well aware of the huge ministry done by Sr. Norma in McAllen. It is no surprise that many children suffer from post-traumatic disorder.

In the parish Masses that I celebrate, I find a way to “remember the children.”  We must never forget them. But something is terribly wrong about the reality I describe.  Human dignity should be a reality for us all.

It is difficult to know what to think about all of this. We need wisdom. I am happy for those who have jobs. But what is the real price to society?

Br. Manish (left) with a friend in Odisha

Fr. Tom Cassidy continues to keep a daily journal during his time with our Dehonian community in India. Recently, he wrote about the district’s efforts in developing its first mission:

Br. Manish Nayak, SCJ, will shortly head to Odisha to help set up our first SCJ mission in his home state. In so many ways it reminds me of the early mission days of our German SCJs in the United States when travel was difficult and roads (at least paved roads) were few and far between. Manish leaves this weekend with our district treasurer as the advance party to begin to get things organized for the arrival next week of Frs. Michael Benedict, SCJ, and Vijaya Bhaskar Reddy Yeruva, SCJ, who are the first two assigned to our Bisaguda Mission.

To say the least, this is a remote area.

The diocese covers approximately 15,000 square miles. Out of a population of 5,407,895, there are 50,542 Catholics; less than 1% of the population. The majority, including those whom we will be serving, are classified as “tribals.” This is a special status in India that bears similarity to the status of Native Americans in the United States.

The diocese was established in April, 2016. According to Wikipedia, it has 23 parishes and 35 diocesan priests. To use my South Dakota analogy, the problem is distance and ease of travel more than the number of priests. This is a world Manish knows well as he is an Odisha native and will help for about the next six months in establishing our presence in this remote part of Odisha.

It is with this background that our superior, Fr. Michael Augustine, SCJ, asked Manish to give the talk at July’s recollection day. Fr. Michael asked Manish to speak on the topic of mission. Last Saturday at our American Breakfast in his honor I quipped: “Manish is our first missionary, and where is he going? Back home to Odisha!”

Fr. Tom (red shirt) with the new class of postulants

Fr. Tom Cassidy writes about celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart in the Philippines, where he is currently assisting with the English program:

Our principal celebrant for the Mass was Fr. Ronald Basco, SCJ, who was ordained on May 19. The homilist was Fr. Donald Longo, SCJ, the out-going superior who will leave on Monday for Manila for further studies.

One of the highlights of the Mass was the reception of the new postulants; this was done by Fr. Frank Pupkowski, SCJ, in his role as regional superior, and was assisted by Fr. Patrick Gutib, SCJ, the new postulant director. There are 12 in this postulant class equally divided between Filipinos and Vietnamese.

Fr. Donald is not the only one leaving the local community. Fr. Arthur Guevara, SCJ, will leave in a couple of weeks to take up his duties as the pastor of our new parish on Leyte. He is also the regional treasurer and will continue in that capacity. That will require him from time to time to return to Cagayan de Oro. The Philippines being an island nation means either he flies or drives and takes a ferry boat between Leyte and Mindanao. Finally, Fr. Richie C. Gier, SCJ, who was the orientation year formator will also be going to Manila for his new assignment.

Following the Mass those present were given the opportunity to receive a blessing from the newly ordained priest. A custom here is to kiss the hands of the priest before he imparts his blessing. Naturally, with a large crowd of local community members, plus the guests, this took awhile and gave the caterers time to finish their set up.

Filipinos love a good party (fiesta). And no major fiesta would be complete without a roasted pig! These tend to be much smaller then pigs we would find in the States.

Pork was not the only meat served. We also had beef and salmon on a bed of pasta — a fish I enjoy. And, of course, what meal in this part of the world would be complete if it did not start off with rice!

The beginnings of a new parish hall in Big Bend, SD

Fr. Vincent Suparman, a member of the pastoral team based in Lower Brule, SD, reflects on his experience of mission:

Whenever I have refreshment after Sunday Mass, the people of Big Bend talk about Frs. Yvon Sheehy, James Walters, Thomas Westhoven, Mike Burke, Bernie Rosinski and Chuck Wonch. When they want to correspond with them, I give them the address of Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake, which I remember by heart. That is, expect for Fr. Bernie, since he is still here in South Dakota. Big Bend is a tiny church located about six miles off Highway 34 between Stephan and Pierre, SD. It is about 48 miles from the Lower Brule Community House, our home-base for mission ministry.

Fr. Vincent

In the spring of 2013, praying in a rear pew while waiting for the people to come for Sunday Mass, I heard the sound of spring rain outside the church. In the stillness of a Sunday afternoon I could feel the rhythmic drops against the glass window. I was thinking about nature’s power, but also the spirituality of the Sacred Heart that inspired many priests, sisters and lay people to remain faithful to meeting the spiritual needs of the people here in the prairie. I am fortunate to be listed among them. I have always empathized with the older people in the church that I serve. Many of them are really good storytellers. They aren’t all necessarily joke-tellers, but they do know how to put a biblical message in their jokes.

After Sunday Mass, coffee and snacks are always provided. Sr. Charles, OSB, and one or two parish women are responsible for this weekly refreshment. On ordinary Sundays we have fewer than 15 people at Mass. More than that and we would say, “Wow, we have a big crowd.” That is Big Bend, the smallest parish among the six parishes we serve. Here everybody knows everybody else. They do not live near the church. Many of them live and work in Pierre, a 20-minute drive west from Big Bend. As pastor I respect them with appreciation for what they have given to the church. No matter what happens, they struggle to remain faithful. I do not know about their inner spirit. But, whenever I see them singing at Mass, I am happy and proud to be with them.

Sometimes I think of my mission journey. While sitting behind the wheel of the car, I often hear a soft voice whisper, “If you really saw the gift of life you have been given, you would not throw it away.”

“Life is the greatest gift, “ I once told a group of young teenagers in Colorado. This “proverb” makes me aware of how my position in life can easily turn to my comfort, my comfort zone, and my desire to be appreciated and loved. I remember my spiritual director who told me that I was alive for a reason, to go out and find it. Building walls around my life is easy. I am pretty good in recapturing a past experience. But I would rather decide to keep one or two things that give meaning to my life and move forward.

When I was first assigned in the mission I thought that I would bring something new and change the people’s hearts and minds. I thought the people whom I served were mine. But they are not. They are gifts and I was consecrated to be a   Priest of Sacred Heart to proclaim the Good News, not to condemn,  to be with the people and to serve them. When I began to see the people as gifts, I began to change. A gift and a possession are treated differently. I believe that the work of the Spirit continues; it is an unbreakable thread weaving through life as we pray in psalm. Within the context of mission journey I will face adversity, but the power of the Holy Spirit emerges in so many ways.

Big Bend, SD, October 18, 2015 (Mission Sunday)

Sacred Heart church in Nambur

Fr. Tom Cassidy will soon conclude his time in India… at least for now. He returns to the district every few months to assist with formation and administration. In today’s entry he writes about celebrating the Feast of the Holy Rosary at Sacred Heart parish in Nambur:

Last evening the entire community traveled the short distance from the novitiate house to Sacred Heart Parish in Nambur to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Rosary with the parish. We were invited by Fr. Ravindra Moparthi the assistant parish priest who has been acting pastor for the last month while Fr. Dharma Raju Akula, scj, has been in the US for a month-long introduction to how the US Province runs its financial office and fund raising. Fr. Dharma is joined in the States by Fr. Michael Benedict, the district treasurer and the two of them will be returning to India next Monday.

The one lane bridge that we need to cross from the novitiate side to the parish side is partially closed and has been reduced to perhaps half a lane. The Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi of Ignatius Gonzaga, Br. Bapuji, one of the novices, and I all piled in and on a motor taxi to make the journey. Originally only a couple of sisters were to go with us but our driver learned the motor-taxi coming from the other side of the bridge was not able to make it over the bridge so our numbers increased.

Feast of the Holy Rosary in Nambur

Well when we got to the bridge it was absolute chaos. It reminded me of how Italians can blur lines to the point it almost feels like every man for himself! The difference between the two cultures? Often in Italy when a traffic light went out someone would get out there and direct traffic and sooner or later everyone would obey as it was the best way to get traffic flowing. Alas no volunteers appeared at the bridge and no one would budge! We were at a disadvantage in that part of the bridge still open was on the side of the traffic going the other way and they just kept coming. After sitting there for about 10 minutes Bapuji and I got out and decided to walk the rest of the way to the Church.

The walk took between 10 and 15 minutes and at least by then some of our brothers had managed to cross over. By the time Mass finally began everyone was accounted for. As you’ll note from the photo the Mass was going to be outdoors since the interior of the church would not be large enough to hold the expected crowd.

There were eight of us who concelebrated. Fr. Ravindra did not as he was busy with practical matters from helping out the choir to arranging things needed at the altar. A local diocesan priest was the main celebrant with another preaching the homily. Other then guessing that he was talking about Mary since we were celebrating the Feast of the Holy Rosary there was nothing I could understand in his 45 minute homily. Well once in a while when he’d throw in a Praise the Lord, Alleluia repeated three times by him and the congregation I could understand that.

At the end of Mass I was asked to bless a statue of the virgin which was then carried around the church in procession three times. On the first go around four of the priests carried it to be replaced on the last two go rounds by men of the parish and some of our brothers from the novitiate as well.

It was harder than it looks because the statute and platform carried some weight, but what made it more difficult was the uneven ground around the church. Gratefully there were no accidents and all who marched around were able to keep their footing — sometimes with a bit of assistance from those nearby.

After the procession it was time to eat. Tables were set up in church and the first to eat were the priests and sisters. We on one side and the sisters facing us from the other side. Rice with chicken was the main course. Naturally all ate with their hands. I was offered a fork and spoon but by then I was halfway through my meal so declined to use them. Dinner done, Fr. Rino Jose and I were given a ride home by one of the parishioners. Since cars can’t cross the bridge we had to take the long way around a trip of about five kilometers (3.10 miles).

Fr. Tom was well-remembered by the Indian community for his birthday

On his last Sunday in India, Fr. Tom Cassidy writes about celebrating his 73rd birthday “Indian style.” Fr. Tom returns to the United States this week. He writes:

I woke up this morning at 5:30 am to give myself plenty of time to get ready for the short drive to Vempadu. We planned to leave at 7:00 am. My 73rd birthday was last Tuesday but since I was in Chennai at the time the Eluru community is celebrating it today. Actually for me it’s been an almost daily celebration starting in the novitiate at Nambur until today. It won’t stop here as I’ll have two more celebrations: one next Thursday with my SCJ community at Sacred Heart at Monastery Lake and then next Sunday with my family.

Fr. Tom’s birthday door

One of the local house traditions is to decorate the door of the person celebrating his birthday. That tradition was certainly kept this morning. When I opened my door around 6:00 am and with the house just getting up the bright blinking lights staring me in the face felt as though the sun was approaching its zenith! I’ve learned Indians love bright colors and bright lights, especially the kind that twinkle. I have no doubt there are more Christmas lights in India then anywhere in the world and that they are used not only at Christmas but for celebrations of all kinds the year round.

Since this is Sunday and most of the brothers are off at one time or another to their ministry experience and there is no set time for breakfast the usual cake cutting and flower presenting and HEARTY BIRTHDAY greetings did not take place. That will be this evening instead. We’re going to have outdoor adoration at 6:30 pm followed by a program in my honor and supper. My dear friend Hari (Haresh) Kumar, scj, said I should be ready for two surprises. I have a pretty good idea of one. He asked for my sister’s (Marge Bray) email address as she had some pictures of me he requested (and got). Hari is good with the computer so I suspect something with these photos and the computer may pop up this evening — I’ll let you know tomorrow.

Fr. Gopu and I did manage to leave at 7:00 am. It’s about a half hour drive to Sacred Heart Parish. I think it’s about 32 kilometers (19.8 miles). Normally some of the brothers would travel with us but they left at 6:30 am to drive into Eluru to pick up some sisters who help with the music and teach catechism after Mass. When the brothers were late in coming I should have guessed something was up. It turned out they not only had to pick up the sisters but a birthday cake large enough to feed the congregation.

Fr. Jojappa Chinthapalli, scj, the pastor, had the Dehonian youth group participate in the Mass and at its end I presented them with t-shirts for the men and hats for the ladies. I wasn’t aware that I’d be given credit for the gifts but that’s what Fr. Jojappa said so I was asked to present them to each person who in turn wished me a happy birthday. I was presented with a collage photo put together by Deacon Suresh Gottom, scj.

The Mass and post-liturgy presentations took about two hours. Fr. Gopu was the celebrant and Fr. Jojappa preached. Both of them and Deacon Suresh had to go to the parish substations for Masses. All along I thought there were two substations but it turns out there are three. The normal schedule is one substation has Mass at 6:30 am and the main church (Sacred Heart) at 7:45 am with the other two stations at 10:00 am. Now all of these are on Indian time with the start being an approximation as was the case today. Since we went long the two 10:00 am Masses started sometime after 10:00 am.

Fr. Jojappa stayed after Mass to take me over to the construction site of the new community house. Our North Italian Province is providing the financial support for its construction. According to Fr. Jojappa, with luck the building will be done in about seven months.

The community house is only about a five-minute walk from the church. It’s surrounded by rice paddies. They have raised the land by about six feet to ensure that it will remain dry in the rainy season.

Finally I waited with for everyone to come back from the substations as Fr. Jojappa had prepared to serve ice cream and the last of my birthday cake for our brothers and the sisters. A nice touch to end my morning visit to the parish. We made it back to Eluru at about 12:40 pm and joined the rest of the community for lunch.