What's New?

We have received email addresses for the various publications produced by the North Italian Province. They can be accessed here by linking to Pubblicazioni and have also been added as a separate section on our email page entitled IM Pubblicazioni (cf. Links). Both of our scj Italian provinces are heavily involved in the area of publications, and are well known throughout Italy for the quality of their work.

What's Happening?

Fr. General and Zolile Mpambani, counselor responsible for Africa, joined our new Mozambique Province in celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart (June 19^th). The feast also marked the installation of the first provincial administration.

Tipi Press, of St. Joseph Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota recently published Lakota Grieving: A Pastoral Response by Stephen Huffstetter, scj. It is based on his doctoral dissertation from Catholic Theological Union (Chicago, Illinois). As the title indicates it deals with how the Lakota (Sioux) people grieve. The book's jacket states that Stephen Huffstetter, scj is a member of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. He served as part of the Catholic Pastoral Team serving the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation for nine years. The book can be ordered from:

Tipi Press
St. Joseph's Indian School
Chamberlain, SD 57326
USA

Fr. Valerio Pilati (IM) is joining the scj Indian Community. He was born on 2 August 1954 at Lavis-Trente, in Northern Italy, the seventh of 10 children from a farming family. In 1966 he joined the Priests of the Sacred Heart first at the juniorate seminary of Trente, then Padova, Riva del Garda and Monza. He did his novitiate year in 1974 -1975, and professed his first vows on 28 September 1975. His philosophical and theological formation was done in Bologna from 1976 to 1980. He professed his final vows in 1978. He was ordained on 7 September 1980. His first assignment was as a member of the formation team in the juniorate of Dehon House in Canegliano, Treviso. In 1984 he became a member of a pastoral team for youth and families. From 1987 to 1993 he was superior and treasurer in his community, and served on the province formation commission.

In 1993 he came to Rome to study spirituality at the Gregorian University, after which he joined the new scj Lithuanian project. When Lithuania closed in 1996 he was assigned to the parish of Castiglione dei Pepoli, Bologna. After receiving approval to join the Indian project he spent seven months in the British-Irish Province studying English. On June 13^th he left for India.

H.Wardjito scj

general council

New US Provincial Administration

Welcome Ritual for the new provincial administration at Sacred Heart Monastery/Sacred Heart School of Theology Chapel June 11, 1998

As noted last week the US Province held its election assembly at Sacred Heart Monastery/Sacred Heart School of Theology. Subject to confirmation by Fr. General and his council, the following were chosen as the new leadership team to take office in August:

Provincial: John Czyzynski (second term)

1. Richard MacDonald
2. Stephen Huffstetter
3. David Nagel
4. Timothy Gray
5. James Walters

Fr. Dick MacDonald, 58, is currently pastor of Prince of Peace Parish in Lyford, Texas. He has been a member of the Raymondville SCJ community for many years and has previously served on the Provincial Council. Fr. Steve Huffstetter, who at 39 is the youngest member of the council, ministered for many years on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota. He is now director of the undergraduate formation program in San Antonio.

Br. Dave Nagel, 47, is a returning member of the current council. He is executive director of St. Joseph's Indian School in South Dakota and has previously served in formation ministry. Also from South Dakota is Fr. Jim Walters, 48, who is a member of the Lower Brule Pastoral Team. He previously ministered for many years with the Raymondville community.

Originally from Detroit, Fr. Tim Gray, 49, has ministered in Houston since 1986. He was associate pastor at Our Lady of Guadalupe, and in 1994, he was named pastor of St. Philip of Jesus parish. He has also been active with the diocesan Office of Hispanic Ministry, leading retreats for Hispanic Catholics in the Houston area.

Fridge Notes

June 15 1998

[Editors Note: SYNTHESIS OF MOST PRESSING NEEDS STATEMENTS US PROVINCE ELECTION ASSEMBLY JUNE 8-12, 1998, is a needs assessment developed during the assembly and can be accessed here by liking to needs statement.]

The Economy and the Kingdom

In early May, the South Brazilian Province held a conference for SCJs titled, "The Economy and the Kingdom of God." Approximately 50 SCJs attended. A translator at the conference wrote to Fr. Bob Bossie, province justice and peace director, about the theme of the gathering:

"Would you say that we are prepared to face the technological revolution? The main idea at the conference was that as the market is like a god to neoliberalism, there is also the myth that we cannot know it entirely. If we get to know the market we will be able to interfere with it. Changes are quicker and quicker."

She also noted the desperation of many in Brazil: "Poor people are invading supermarkets to get food (and other things too)."

Courtesy of Bob Bossie (US)