What's New?

From time to time translation of the News Page into French or Spanish takes a bit longer then our Saturday deadline. If by chance it does not appear by Saturday evening (Rome time) please be patient. Remember our translators are volunteering their time. Likewise, we are still in need of an Italian language translator.

What's Happening?

Tom Cassidy (CU) is in South Brazil to work on the planned Vocation Assembly in 1999.

Wardjito (CU) has departed Rome to visit the Indian SCJ Community.

Carlos Alberto da Costa Silva (CU) is in North Brazil for the next two months.

Ryszard Mis (CU) and Umberto Chiarello (CU) are continuing their English language studies in Hales Corners. They will be in the States until the end of September.

"WE THE COMMUNITY" - INDIA

July 12 was celebrated as a "Community Day" by the SCJs in India. A simple but meaningful ceremony was held in Dehon Bhavan Chapel. Thirty new candidates received the SCJ Cross, thereby becoming candidates in our religious community. The ceremony consisted of a prayer service and adoration. A similar celebration will be held in Guntur, Andra Pradesh, our most recent foundation, on July 17 for 11 candidates. Fr. Adrian van der Wilk led the community in singing, Fr. Valerio Pilati shared reflections on the 'Rule of Life' and Fr. Sebastian and Martin presented the crosses to the new candidates. In his reflection Fr. Martin, Mission Superior, explained to the community the symbolism of the SCJ cross: "The Cross is a symbol of sacrifice and the Sacred Heart a symbol of love." He urged the community to wear the cross with a feeling of responsibility and pride. He acknowledged the presence of our lay friends who always accompany us with their prayers. Fr. Tom Garvey gave some concluding words for the ceremony followed by a "Photo-Session" and lunch. After lunch there was a cultural program in which almost everyone took part in singing and drama. As the finishing touch, the Dehon Bhavan Fathers' Choir sang some beautiful four voice melodies.

One of the many highlights of the community in India is its diversity. The SCJs and candidates in different stages of formation come from separate countries of the world and states of India - [Priests: Holland, Italy, Brazil, Indonesia, America, Poland. Students: Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Goa]. They come with rich and distinct cultural, linguistic and economic backgrounds - fishing, farming, professional and daily laborers. The candidates vary in their age and qualifications. The youngest is 15 and the oldest is 34.

Apart from the formation program in Kerala we have recently initiated a formation program in Andra Pradesh. This is a step in making the India Project encompass the diversity of the country. [India consists of 25 states and 7 union territories, very different in culture, language and ethnicity. Christianity is present in all.]

In India the work of recruiting candidates is done by the whole community. The seminarians are actively participating in the recruitment efforts. There is strong support from bishops and the diocesan priests in this regard. The work of discerning a vocation is the combined effort of the community and candidate.

We can say with a sense of optimism and gratitude that with the commitment, care and concern of many, we are moving ahead step-by-step. At this juncture we recall with gratitude the help and prayers of our benefactors and our congregation. We thank you sincerely and pray that God bless you all. Let our hearts ring with the psalmist: "The Lord is my strength and my shield. In him my heart trusts so I am helped and my heart exults and with my song I give thanks to him."

Sent by Wardjito (CU) 

Please Remember

Matthijs Cornelius de Jonge of the Dutch province who died on July 31^st at Asten in Holland. He was born on April 10, 1919, made his first profession on September 8, 1939, and was ordained on March 19, 1945. If we receive a photo and/or an obituary it will be posted to the Necrology section.

Cameroon ESL Students

Br. Engelbert Fosting

Though from Cameroon, Engelbert comes to the US from Paris, where he studied spirituality. Engelbert is happy to be in the US for the summer, and in Hales Corners, the "big center" of the US Province. He looks forward to learning English, but also teaching others about his country, beginning with the music and culture. (Prepared by Paul Reid of the US Province.)

  Fr. Leopold Mfouakouet

Leopold Mfouakouet comes to ESL from the Cameroon Province, where he has been a youth worker. Leopold wants to learn English both to get a better sense of the internationality of the congregation, as well as teach in our SCJ school of Philosophy in the Congo (Zaire), which requires its students to learn Italian and two other languages. Using a new idiom, he says he is "killing two birds with one stone. (Prepared by Paul Reid of the US Province.)