May 13, 2022
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Dcn. Simon Tipps and Dcn. Mark Foley, Diocese of Madison, on their diaconate ordination! As you share in the ministry of Christ, may you be filled with the sure knowledge of His love, and open to the power and grace of the Holy Spirit!
Pictured: Dcn. Simon Tipps, Dcn. Mark Foley, Most Rev. Donald Hying and Dcn. Steve Kramer
Archbishop Christophe Pierre’s Graduation Speech
The Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, Christophe Pierre, gave the graduation speech at our 2022 commencement ceremony. Click HERE to read his speech to our graduates.
May 6, 2022
Congratulations Class of 2021-2022!
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology’s Spring 2022 graduation class consisted of eight seminarians from Wisconsin dioceses, two from religious orders, eight lay students, and two students in the Adveniat Regnum Tuum program designed for seminarians of the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart living abroad. The Commencement ceremony with Solemn Vepsers was held on Friday, May 6. The presider was the Very Reverend Carlos Luis Suárez Codorniú, SCJ, the Superior General of the Priest of the Sacred Heart, and the graduation speaker was the Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
The eight seminarians were a combination from the Diocese of La Crosse and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. They received their Master of Divinity degree, with four of them additionally receiving their Master of Arts in Theology. The Priests of the Sacred Heart and the Society of Divine Savior each had one seminarian graduate with the Master of Divinity degree. The eight lay students received their Master of Arts Degree in Theology with a concentration in Systematics through the Cor Unum program that is offered for laity. Both Adveniat Regnum Tuum students also graduated with their Master of Arts degree in Theology. Congratulations to our graduates!
May 4, 2022
Graduate & Administrators Dinner
On Wednesday, May 4, the M.Div. and M.A. Lumen Cordis graduates were joined by some administrators and staff for a celebratory dinner!
Congratulations on your graduation!
April 21, 2022
Diaconate Promises
On Thursday, April 21, the following men made their Diaconate Promises during Vespers:
Oliver Omega – Archdiocese of Winnipeg
Jonathan Reitzel – Diocese of Hamilton
Matthew Solarz – Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
Congratulations for taking the next step towards your priestly ordination!
April 13, 2022
Congratulations!
Sacred Heart is excited to announce a major achievement by a member of the SHSST campus community. After receiving approval of her doctoral capstone, “Program Evaluation – Faith in Christ: An Engaged Learning Experience,” Sacred Heart’s Associate Dean & Senior Director of Special Projects, Julie O’Connor, has officially earned her Doctorate of Education.
Please join Sacred Heart in sincerely congratulating Dr. O’Connor on this wonderful achievement!
April 12, 2022
Congratulations!
Sacred Heart has the distinct honor of announcing a publication by President-Rector, Fr. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz, SDS. He has contributed Chapter 19 to Maria Clara Bingemer and Peter Casarella, ed., Puentes y no muros (Rio de Janeiro: Agape, 2022). This chapter stems from Fr. Raúl’s paper, “La Credibilidad de la Iglesia en América,” presented at the conference, “Ecclesia in America: 20 Years” at the Pontifical Catholic University (PUC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in October 2019. An English version is forthcoming.
Congratulations, Fr. Raúl!
March 28, 2022
2022 Lux Center Lecture
On March 28, Fr. Dennis McManus presented at the 2022 Lux Lecture. He addressed the entire student body and faculty on the topic of “An Unfinished Reform of the Rites of Paul VI: Eliminating Anti-Judaism in the Roman Rite”.
In 2021, Fr. McManus was appointed Senior Research Fellow at Georgetown University to investigate the Vatican Archives and the question of Pius XII and the Holocaust. He has served as the delegate for Jewish Affairs for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops since 2010. He has also served as Associate Director of the Secretariat for the Liturgy at the USCCB. He currently teaches at St. Patrick’s Seminary and University in Menlo Park, CA, and is a delegate for Jewish Affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Fr. McManus has written widely on liturgical topics but specialized in the application of liturgical translation theory, the development of the Rites of Exorcism, and Judaism in the Roman Rite. Fr. McManus holds a bachelor’s degree in classical languages and philosophy from St. Mary’s College of California; a master’s degree in ethics from Georgetown University and a doctorate in historical theology from Drew University. Fr. Dennis McManus is a priest of the Archdiocese of Mobile in Alabama.
Thank you, Fr. Dennis, for sharing your time and experiences with Sacred Heart!
March 25, 2022
Zoom Meeting
Fr. Max Schindler, SCJ, held a Zoom meeting with ECS students and faculty to present information and answer questions about the war in Ukraine. Fr. Max was in Poland and was deeply concerned about family members who were still in Ukraine. We later found out that they got out safely and are presently in Poland. While the topic of the discussion was deeply troubling, it was wonderful how well Fr. Max continues to use the English he learned when in the ECS program years ago.
March 22-25, 2022
Congratulations!
Congratulations to the following men who successfully defended their theses!
Dcn. Matthew Ferch – Defended his Master of Arts thesis, “In Communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary: A Theological Study of the Marian Dimension of the Mass”, on March 22.
Dcn. Matthew Bowe – Defended his Master of Arts thesis, “St. Aelred’s Spiritual Friendship in the Context of Priest Friendships Today”, on March 24.
Dcn. Steven Weller – Defended his Master of Arts thesis, “The Beatific Vision of God: A Comparison of the Palamite East and the Thomistic West”, on March 25.
We wish you the best of luck in your future ministries!
March 01, 2022
St. Alphonsus Morning for Men Retreat
On March 12, Deacon Steve Kramer spoke at the St. Alphonsus Morning for Men Retreat at Sacred Heart. He presented on the topic “The Spiritual Challenges We Face, Living at this Moment in History”. The retreat had a total of 8 men. Thank you, Deacon Steve, for continuing to share the many blessings of the Lord!
February 28, 2022
Congratulations Dcn. Steve Kramer!
On February 28, Dcn. Steve Kramer led a national online webinar/presentation for deacons around the country. The national online presentation was in conjunction with The Jordan Ministry Team (a collaborative ministry of the Salvatorian family). Dcn. Steve gave a one and a half hour online interactive workshop/webinar for deacons across the country entitled, “Preaching Lent Through the Lens of Christian Initiation”. This presentation explored the preaching themes of repentance, change, and conversion through the season of Lent. Additionally, he addressed the texts/rites of the RCIA and how the journey of the catechumen is applicable to the entire assembly.
Congratulations, Dcn. Kramer!
February 28, 2022
Luke Fitzgerald featured in the St. Mary, Centralia, quarterly Newsletter!
February 23, 2022
Congratulations!
Sacred Heart is pleased to announce that our esteemed emerita colleague, Sr. Mary Carroll, SSSF, has published an article titled, “Kevin’s Story” in volume 43 of the open-access journal, Reflective Practice: Formation and Supervision in Ministry through Duke University. The article builds upon Sr. Mary Carroll’s experience in formation at Sacred Heart.
Congratulations, Sr. Mary Carroll!
February 21, 2022
Congratulations!
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce a new publication by Dcn. Steven Kramer, Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies/Director of Homiletics/Director of Recruitment:
Kramer, Steven. 2022. “The Journey of Discernment.” The Deacon, February.
The reference for the publication can be found here.
Congratulations, Dcn. Kramer!
February 13, 2022
Greeting from Rome!
Dr. Paul Monson, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, Fr. Tom Knoebel, and Fr. Raúl Gómez SDS sent greetings to Sacred Heart from their trip in Rome! They went to Rome for conferences and meetings. Most of the images are from a symposium that was led by Pope Francis.
“The symposium, “Toward a Fundamental Theology of the Priesthood,” seeks to encourage an understanding of ministerial priesthood that is rooted in the priesthood of all believers conferred at baptism, getting away from the idea of
ordained ministry as belonging to “ecclesiastical power”.” To read more about the symposium, click here.
The image with all four men (bottom left) is at the SCJ Generalate after Pranzo (noon meal). We thank them for all of their work!
February 12, 2022
Congratulations!
Deacon Steve Kramer was featured in the 2022 March/April issue of The Deacon. Read the article here.
February 11, 2022
Ecumenical Interreligious Lunch Program
On February 11, The Ecumenical Interreligious Committee welcomed a very special guest to SHSST, Fr. Rewis Awadalla. Fr. Rewis is a Coptic Orthodox priest who serves as Pastor of St. Mary & St. Antonious Coptic Orthodox Church on the corner of 94 and Rawson Avenue in Oak Creek. Fr. Rewis lectured at Sacred Heart five years ago and gave a fascinating presentation about the Coptic brothers and sisters. The Copts trace their roots back to the people of Pharaoh’s time. In addition to his local pastoral work, Fr. Rewis teaches at Coptic seminaries around the country.
February 09, 2022
2022 Spring Dehon Lecture
On Wednesday, February 09, Sacred Heart held its Spring 2022 Dehon Lecture. The lecturer, Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ, spoke on the topic Covid, Faith, and the Fallibility of Science. The respondent, Fr. James Kurzynski, followed Br. Guy’s talk with his input on the topic. Both speakers prepared thought-provoking dialogues that captivated the audience. To read the speaker bio’s or watch the Dehon Lecture recording, click here.
February 08, 2022
Congratulations!
Sacred Heart is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian Lee has recently published a book review in the Review of Biblical Literature for Max Botner, Justin Harrison Duff, and Simon Dürr, eds., Atonement: Jewish and Christian Origins (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2020). A PDF of the review can be found here: https://www.shsst.edu/…/upl…/2022/01/lee-publication.pdf
Congratulations, Dr. Lee!
February 07, 2022
Congratulations to Fr. Javier Bustos!
On February 7, it was announced that Fr. Javier Bustos, adjunct lecturer, here at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, has been named as the new Vicar of Clergy for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. His appointment begins on 1 July 2022. We offer our best wishes and prayers as he prepares to transition to his new role!
February 02, 2022
Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas)
On February 2, Sacred Heart celebrated the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. This feast, also known as Candlemas, marks forty days after Christmas and is the traditional end to the Christmas season. It is also the occasion on which candles to be used for sacred purposes are blessed for the coming year.
In the celebration of the feast day, Sacred Heart began the 11:00 AM Mass with the Blessing of Candles and Procession. A table was put out in the lobby on which the candles to be blessed were placed.
February 01, 2022
Congratulations!
Sacred Heart is pleased to announce that Dr. Paul Monson has published a double-blind peer-reviewed article: “Vatican II Goes to Hollywood: Cinema, Conscience, and Ecumenism in the 1960s,” American Catholic Studies 132, no. 4 (Winter 2021): 27-46. A copy can be found here.
January 24, 2022
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Kelly Kornacki who has been chosen as an honoree to receive a Leadership in Education Excellence Award! The following areas were scored as part of the application process:
• Professional Experience
The Education 2.0 Conference is in Las Vegas from April 6-8 where Kelly will receive her award.
January 21, 2022
Congratulations MA ART students!
Please join Sacred Heart in congratulating Moses Babu and Dennis John, who successfully completed the written and oral comprehensive exams for the Master of Arts Degree. Moses and John become the fourth and fifth students to complete the Master of Arts degree in the Adveniat Regnum Tuum (ART) pathway.
Thanks also to Dr. Patrick Russell, Dr. James Stroud, and Dr. Marianne Siegmund who served as their examination board.
Well done Moses and Dennis!
January 19, 2022
Opening School Eucharist
On Wednesday, January 19, Sacred Heart held its Spring 2022 Opening School Eucharist. The Sacred Heart community gathered together, in-person and virtually, to celebrate the beginning of a new school semester as well as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
January 19, 2022
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity occurred during the week of January 18-25. The theme of this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was “We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him” (Mt 2:2). Sacred Heart welcomed a guest preacher on January 19, Pastor Chris Castaldo from New Covenant Church in Naperville, Ill. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an ecumenical Christian observance in the Christian calendar that is celebrated internationally.
January 19, 2022
Why Catholics Need to Know about the Holocaust: Implications for Today’s World
On Wednesday, January 19, The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies invited Tim Crain, Ph.D. to speak on the topic “Why Catholics Need to Know about the Holocaust: Implications for Today’s World” at the first session of the winter webinar series. Dr. Crain is a well-known historian and speaker and was a professor and director of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education at Seton Hill University. To watch the lecture visit https://www.shsst.edu/theluxcenter/.
January 15, 2022
The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Service
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee hosted the 31st annual Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer service, on January 15, titled The American Dream. The keynote speaker was Makda Fessahaye, J.D. Blessings were given by the Most Rev. Jerome E Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee. Sacred Heart’s Director of Liturgy and Music, Dr. Ben Stone, is on the planning committee for the service as Sacred Heart’s representative. He played one piece as part of the prelude, “Adoration” by Florence Price (1885–1953). Price was the first black woman composer to have a symphony performed by a major symphony orchestra, and a prominent pianist, organist, and teacher in Chicago in the first half of the 20th century.
January 03-05, 2022
2022 Preaching Conference
Sacred Heart held the fourth annual Preaching Conference January 3rd-5th. The conference topic was “The Power of Passionate Preaching While Presiding at the Funeral Rites”. Six speakers participated in the conference throughout the 3 days. The speaker topics ranged from “The Homilist: Messenger of Hope and Healing to Those Who Grieve” to “Honoring the Journey: A Collaboration of Hospice Nurses, Caretakers and Clergy”. To read all of the speaker topics and biographies and watch two of the talks, click here.
January 04, 2022
A NEW PROVINCIAL SUPERIOR!
This afternoon, Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ, was elected as the 16th provincial superior of the US Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart (Dehonians).
“It is humbling to stand in front of you, to carry on the tradition of the US Province,” said Fr. Vien.
Fr. Vien, 48, is currently vice rector and assistant professor of Scripture Studies at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. He professed his first vows in 1997 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2004. In 2018 he earned a doctorate from the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, CA. He also earned a Th.M, and S.T.L. from Santa Clara University, and an M.Div. from Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Before pursuing post-graduate studies, Fr. Vien served in parish ministry and in formation. He has been on the faculty of SHSST since 2018, and has been published in a wide variety of theological and professional publications.
The assembly will now turn its focus to the election of the five-member Provincial Council. The new administration will begin its term on February 2, 2022.
January 03, 2022
Congratulations!
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce a new publication by Dr. J. Marianne Siegmund, Adjunct Lecturer of Moral Theology:
Siegmund, J. Marianne. 2021. “Knowledge…Domination, or Genuine Service?,” The Catholic Social Science Review 26: 223-233.
The reference for the publication is here.
Congratulations, Dr. Siegmund!
December 25, 2021
Christmas Mass
Fr. Tom Knoebel, Fr. Darlan Marasca SCJ, and seminarian Oliver Omega (Archdiocese of Winnipeg) joined Fr. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz SDS, President-Rector, in the IHM Chapel on Christmas morning to celebrate the Holy Mass for the intentions of our benefactors, alumni, sponsors, friends, Board of Directors, emeriti, faculty, staff, students, and seminarians.
December 13, 2021
Congratulations!
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce two more publications!
Nguyen, Vien. 2021. Review of The New Testament Commentary Guide: A Brief Handbook for Students and Pastors, by Nijay K. Gupta. In Review of Biblical Literature (December 2021).
Kramer, Steven. 2021. “Preaching the Same Homily in Multiple Parishes.” The Deacon, Nov/Dec.
Click below to read articles:
Congratulations, Fr. Vien and Dcn. Steve!
December 13, 2021
Congratulations!
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce another new publication by Dr. Katherine Milco, Assistant Professor of Classics and Early Christian Studies:
Milco, Katherine. 2021. “Pity and the Family: The Inversion of Forensic Protocol in Early Christian Martyrdom Narratives,” Studia Patristica 124 (2021): 193-202.
Congratulations, Dr. Milco!
December 01, 2021
Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel Visions of the Hebrew Prophets
On Wednesday, December 01, The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies invited Rabbi Noah Chertkoff to speak on the topic “Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel: Visions of the Hebrew Prophets” at the second session of the fall webinar series.
November 30, 2021
Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology (SHSST) has received a grant of nearly $1,000,000 from Lilly Endowment Inc. to provide exemplary specialized formation for a universal Church.
The grant is being made through Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. It is a three-phase initiative designed to help theological schools across the United States and Canada as they prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations both now and into the future. To read more click here.
Congratulations to all at Sacred Heart!
November 18-19, 2021
Faith in Christ Workshop
On November 18 and 19, all first-year theologians, along with their course instructors, participated in a two-day Faith in Christ Workshop. A Priest Faculty Panel served as the expert presenters and the primary instructors for the workshop. With case studies serving as the chief pedagogical methodology, the workshop consisted of a mix of instructor lectures, student group work, and plenary session discussions. This unique, dynamic, and engaging pedagogical model delivered course material in a manner consistent with adult learning theory.
November 17, 2021
What Jews Do When They Pray
On Wednesday, November 17, The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies invited Rabbi Scott Shafrin to speak on the topic “What Jews Do When They Pray” at the first session of the fall webinar series. Rabbi Scott introduced Jewish prayer and Jewish blessings distinguishing the differences between the two. He gave examples of the different Jewish prayer services that happen throughout the day and additional prayers for special occasions. Rabbi Scott is currently the Associate Rabbi and Religious School Director at Kol Rinah, a Jewish Conservative congregation in St. Louis, MO.
November 11, 2021
Publication Announcement: Jennie Bartholomew
Bartholomew, Jennifer. 2021. Review of A Guide to Theological Reflection: A Fresh Approach for Practical Ministry Courses and Theological Field Education, by Jim Wilson and Earl Waggoner, Theological Librarianship. 14:2 (October).
The article can be found online, here.
November 10, 2021
Holy Mass with the Rite of Admission to Candidacy for Holy Orders
Congratulations to Sacred Heart’s candidates for Holy Orders! Six seminarians declared candidacy for Holy Orders at Wednesday’s Mass. The men approved for candidacy are:
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Randy Recker, Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
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Robert Dodson, Diocese of Belleville
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Daniel Dunn, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau
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John Akau, Diocese of Honolulu
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Daniel Christe, Diocese of Saginaw
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Alejandro Alex Cifuentes Marin, Diocese of Lexington
May God who has begun the good work in you bring it to fulfillment!
November 05-07, 2021
Deacon Steve Kramer Presents at a Retreat and a Virtual Conference
Annual Diocesan Retreat for Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Between November 5-7, Deacon Steve Kramer gave the annual Diaconate retreat for the deacons of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee in addition to several members of the diocese of Madison, Wisconsin. The title of the retreat was “A Diaconal Response to Rebuilding Spirituality and Community in Our Time”. He gave a total of four presentations and preached the closing Mass. The retreat was held at the Redemptorist Retreat Center in Oconomowoc, WI. A total of 50 participants attended the retreat.
Virtual Catholic Conference Online Gathering for Permanent Deacons: Additionally, Deacon Steve presented at a virtual conference between November 5-7. The presentation was titled Diaconate Preaching: The Necessity of “Shema”. Shema is a Hebrew word that can be translated as; to hear, to listen, or to obey. Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 contains the basic principle of the whole Mosaic Law – that we must love God with our whole heart. This is the first and greatest commandment. The presentation explored how this important passage forms the deacon’s preaching in light of his life within his family, workplace, and ministry. This was one of 25 (30 minute virtual presentations) given by various members of the national diaconate community.
Great work Deacon Steve!
November 04, 2021
Publication Announcement: Dr. Mike Brummond
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce another new publication by Dr. Michael Brummond, Associate Professor of Systematic Studies and MA Director:
Brummond, Michael. 2021. “An ‘Unwelcome’ Change? Reflections on the New Translation of the Order of Baptism of Children.” Adoremus Bulletin, 27, no. 3 (November).
The article can be found here. Congratulations, Dr. Brummond!
November 03, 2021
Day of Recollection
On Wednesday November 3, Bishop Wayne Lobsinger, Auxiliary Bishop from the Diocese of Hamilton, ON, spoke to SHSST and SCJ seminarians for our second Day of Recollection this semester. The bishop spoke on the topic, “I will give you shepherds according to my own heart.” He offered insights as a pastor from the perspective of the four gospel writers in morning and afternoon sessions as well as a homily during the Solemn Mass at 11 AM. The Days of Recollection are part of the Spiritual and Pastoral Dimensions of our implementation of the Program of Priestly Formation. Bishop Lobsinger serves as well as the diocesan Vocation Director and spent Thursday on a sponsor visit, meeting with members of the administration and sitting in on a class attended by Jonathan Reitzel, seminarian sponsored by the Diocese of Hamilton.
Our next All-School Day of Recollection will be presented Ash Wednesday March 2, 2022, led by Bishop William Wack, Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee.
October 28, 2021
Altarcito-All Soul’s Day
November is always a special time to remember and honor our faithful departed. It is a tradition at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology to honor them in an Altarcito that is built in the Sacred Heart chapel. The Sacred Heart community is invited to bring pictures of family members and friends to be remembered at the Altarcito for All Soul’s Day (November 2, 2021).
It was once believed that the smell of flowers (marigolds) and the light from candles guided the spirits up the path to the altar. The altar held many items that the souls enjoyed in their waking lives such as favorite foods, drinks, toys, instruments, pictures, etc. for the souls to enjoy. Today, All Soul’s Day is a celebration of our faithful departed. The lives of those who passed are remembered through this beautiful celebration!
Those pictured are from Fr. Jose Gonzalez’s Hispanic Presence: Challenge and Commitment class.
Pictured: Simon Muema, Fr. Jose Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Altamirano, Joseph Cherney
Students from the Lay Ministry Program at Cardinal Stritch – Gaby Jaramillo (2019), Ana Avila (2020), Irma Melchor (2017)
October 27, 2021
Mass with Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Christophe Pierre
Between October 26 and October 28, Archbishop Christophe Pierre visited the Sacred Heart campus for the Collegial Gathering Among Brother Bishops. He also gave the homily at Wednesday’s Mass. Archbishop Pierre spoke on Luke’s Gospel and the Gospel’s theme of “reversal of fortune”. If you would like to read Archbishop Pierre’s encouraging and inspiring homily, click here.
After Mass concluded, Archbishop Pierre performed a blessing on the new renovations at Sacred Heart. The crucifixes shown in the picture below were also blessed and hung in the classrooms.
October 20, 2021
Publication Announcement: Deacon Steve Kramer
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce another new publication by Deacon Steve Kramer, Director of Homiletics and Recruitment:
The Deacon:
Preaching the Same Homily in Multiple Parishes
The challenges presented in telling the same message more than one time
The article can be found here.
October 20, 2021
Mass with the Institution of the Ministry of Acolyte
On Wednesday, October 20, Luke Fitzgerald, Diocese of Belleville, and Matthew Solarz, Diocese Great Falls-Billings, were instituted as Acolyte during Mass. The presider was Most Reverend Michael W. Warfel, Bishop of Great Falls-Billings. Congratulations and may God bless you both!
October 07, 2021
2021 Legacy of Enduring Faith Event
The Black Catholic and Ethnic Ministries’ Office is celebrating Black Catholic History Month with three presentations on November 6, 13, and 20. This is a free event but an RSVP is required. For more information on the topics and speakers of each event, click here.
October 06, 2021
English and Culture Studies Multicultural Mass
On Wednesday, October 06, ECS students celebrated a Multicultural Mass. Sacred Heart is proud of the multicultural community who came together to engage in a multilingual Mass, with liturgy, highlighting many traditions. Thirteen languages were spoken at the Mass. To watch the Mass, click here.
October 05, 2021
Publication Announcement: Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce another new publication by Fr. Vien Nguyen SCJ, Vice Rector and Assistant Professor of Scripture Studies:
Nguyen, Vien. 2021. Review of The Gospel of Matthew: A Spiritual and Pastoral Reading, by Pope Francis. The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 83.4 (October 2021): 731-32.
The article can be found here.
Congratulations, Fr. Vien!
September 30, 2021
Sacred Heart Seminary representatives at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Vatican II Awards Ceremony
Congratulations to faculty member Dr. John Gallam for receiving the Service in Education award, and alumna Reine Assana for receiving the Service to Missions award.
From left to right: SHSST Professor Dr. John Gallam, Acting Academic Dean Julie O’Connor, Alumna Reine Assana, Alumna Shanedra Johnson, Alumna & SHSST VP of Institutional Advancement Monica Misey, Milwaukee Seminarian and SHSST student Kenneth Anyanwu.
September 29, 2021
2021 Fall Dehon Lecture
“The Sacred Heart and Divine Mercy: a comparison and contrast between these two streams of spirituality in the life of the Church.” This was the topic of Wednesday’s Dehon Lecture at Sacred Heart. The morning presenter was Dr. Robert Stackpole. A former Anglican priest, he converted to Roman Catholicism in 1994 and holds a Doctorate in Theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (the “Angelicum”). To read more about the lecture, click here. To watch the lecture click below:
September 26, 2021
Conferencia Hispana Católica
On Saturday, September 25, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee held a Conferencia Hispana Católica (Hispanic Catholic Conference). The topic of the conference was “Los Movimentos Eclesiales: Construyendo Puentes Evangelizadores” which translates in English to “Ecclesial Movements: Building Evangelizing Bridges”. Fr. José González, Sacred Heart’s Director of the Hispanic Ministry Preparation Program, was one of the presenters of the conference. The other presenter was Andrés Arango, Delegate of the Obispo for Hispanic Ministry and Director of Evangelization.
Congratulations on a successful conference!
September 23, 2021
“Hispanic Heritage Month”
My Dear Friends:
Each year across the U.S people observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the rich histories, art, stories, and cultural traditions of those whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America. The month begins September 15 and ends October 15. the theme for this year celebration is “Esperanza: A Celebration of our Heritage and Bold Future”. We also celebrate this keeping in mind the rich contribution of Hispanics in the life of the U. S Church.
“Today, at the dawn of the third millennium of Christian history, we wish to reaffirm and expand
on this conviction. We affirm that the Hispanic Presence in our Church constitutes a providential
gift from the Lord in our commitment to that new evangelization to which we are called at this moment of history. We see the present moment as a time of great opportunity.” (USCCB, The Hispanic Presence: Challenge and Commitment, 1984)
“According to the National Study of Catholic parishes with Hispanic Ministry, approximately 4,300 parishes, of a total of 17, 413 in 2013, offer religious services in Spanish, usually Masses and baptism. Aware of the fact that about 60% of all U.S Catholics under the age of 18 are Hispanics, one can easily anticipate the future makeup of American Catholicism for the rest of the twenty-first century.” (Ospino H., Hispanic Ministry in Catholic Parishes, OSV, In 2015, 10-14).
“Hispanic were the first Roman Catholics in what is now the United States. Spanish speaking Catholics have lived in what is now the United States for twice as long as the nation has existed. The first diocese in the New World was stablished in 1511 in San Juan Puerto Rico, now a commonwealth associated with the United States. Catholics subject of the Spanish crown founded the first permanent European settlement within the current borders of the 50 states at St. Agustine, Florida, in 1565, four decades before the establishment of the first British colony at Jamestown” (Motavina, Timothy: C 21 Series “the Treasure of Hispanic Catholicism, 2016, p. 8)
Let us celebrate before the Lord with Spirit of gratitude, the many gifts that our Hispanic sisters and brother bring to our Church. Let us always make room in our institutions and in our heart to be people of welcome.
Fraternally, Fr. Jose Gonzalez
Director Hispanic Preparation Ministry
September 17, 2021
“Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue: A Bishop’s Journey.”
The Ecumenical and Interreligious Committee invited the Sacred Heart community to join a lunch presentation on Friday, September 17. Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Richard J. Sklba led a presentation entitled, “Ecumenism and Interreligious Dialogue: A Bishop’s Journey.”
Bishop Sklba’s dedication to the Church’s ecumenical and interreligious work has been deep and long. He has served as chair of the USCCB’s Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, participated in many projects with the mainline Protestant Churches, and attended countless meetings with Jewish scholars to promote interreligious understanding and cooperation.
September 15, 2021
Day of Recollection
Wednesday, September 15 was a Day of Recollection for the Sacred Heart community. Fr. Raúl Gómez provided two talks for our faculty, staff, and seminarians. The day revolved around prayer and reflection.
Click below to listen to the talks:
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September 12, 2021
Sacred Heart Opening House
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, with the help of the Priests of the Sacred Heart Development office, hosted its first Open House on Sunday, September 12. The event was an opportunity to showcase the new renovations of the seminary as well as join together as a community. The Open House began with a welcome service in the Sacred Heart Chapel and was followed by self-guided tours.
September 10, 2021
‘Better late than never for a religious vocation’
Sacred Heart was mentioned in the media for its work fostering vocations over the age of 30. CatholicPhilly.com mentions an ad that Sacred Heart placed that read “Do you know someone over 30 who might have a vocation?” To read more, click here.
September 01, 2021
Pictured: Fr. Stephen Huffstetter, SCJ and Fr. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz SDS
September 01, 2021
Opening School Eucharist
On Wednesday, September 01, Sacred Heart had its Fall 2021 Opening School Eucharist and dinner. The entire Sacred Heart community was able to gather with one another and celebrate the beginning of a new school year. The night was filled with joyful banter of new student introductions and conversation!
To watch the full Mass, click here.
August 23, 2021
Rector’s Day
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology held its annual Rector’s Day on Monday, August 23rd. Convened by the President-Rector, Very Rev. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz SDS, PhD, it is a day for faculty and staff to gather, build community, and vision for the semester. Over 100 students will start classes Monday, August 30th. Students include residential seminarians from across the United States, international seminarians studying English, seminarians from St. Francis de Sales Seminary, and lay students in the Lumen Cordis and Cor Unum Master’s programs.
Please keep the students, staff and faculty in your prayers for a safe academic year!
August 18, 2021
Congratulations Dr. James Stroud!
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce another new publication by Dr. James Stroud, Associate Professor of Moral Theology:
Stroud, James. 2021. Review of On Love and Virtue: Theological Essays, by Michael S. Sherwin, O.P. Journal of Moral Theology 10, no. 2 (June): 291-2.
The article can be found here.
August 15, 2021
Fall 2021 Cor Unum Cohort
Please help Sacred Heart in welcoming the newest Cor Unum cohort! Classes begin this Monday, August 30.
Back from left to right: Zach Prideaux, Margot Hayes, Erika Evans, Jenny Jones, Eric Rapp, Ying Yang, Rachel Madden.
On the couch: Tom Holschuh, Pamela Potter-Billings, Catherine Orr
Not pictured: Agnieszka Korzeniecka
August 12, 2021
New Semester
Sacred Heart has been getting ready for the seminarians to arrive for the Fall 2021 semester! The first photo shows President’s Council on retreat which helped them regroup and plan for the upcoming semester. In the next photo, you will see Ms. Kelly
Kornacki helping Sacred Heart re-film some videos for the SHSST website. The last is a picture of an almost finished seminarian bedroom. We look forward to a great school year!
August 10, 2021
“New head of Vatican’s Latin America office seeks to overcome ideological divide”
Rodrigo Guerra López, a speaker from the 2018 Sacred Heart symposium, has replaced Guzmán Carriquiry Lecour, also a symposium speaker, as head of the Latin America office.
Crux, an independent online publication, did a two part interview with him. Read it here.
(Photo credit: Courtesy Gustavo Guerra Lopez and Crux)
August 10, 2021
Congratulations Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ
It is Sacred Heart’s pleasure to announce a new publication by Fr. Vien Nguyen, SCJ.
Nguyen, Vien V. Religious Life for Our World: Creating Communities of Hope by Maria Cimperman. Review for Religious 1.1 (Summer 2021), pp. 124-25.
Here is an excerpt from his review:
Religious communities have a storied history in their response to God’s call and specific realities and cries of the people in the world and the Church. Today, religious women and men are being asked once again to be mystics and prophets in the new frontiers of gospel calls (19) to “wake up the world,” as reminded by Pope Francis. But what are we to do? How are we to create communities of hope that function as a transformative witness of the inbreaking of the Reign of God in the world? (xvii). Cimperman attempts to answer these questions in the book. Through the lenses of call, charism, and vows, C. examines the different dimensions of consecrated life and addresses the different ways religious congregations can create communities of hope, locally and globally, as a response to the cries of the people and the earth.
Creating communities of hope for the twenty-first century requires being attuned to the Spirit’s calls for “interior conversion, internal transformation, and external revitalization.” C. addresses these calls in two parts. Part One focuses on 1) the current realities in the world, the church, and of consecrated life, 2) the call and gifts of the Spirit to respond to God and the cries around us, personally and communally, and 3) a life of prayer in relationship with God to follow the Risen Christ in missionary discipleship and mystical-prophetic life. In Part Two, C. examines the evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience, which are lived out daily in prayer, community, and ministry. Call, charism, vows, prayer, community, ministry—all are interconnected. Each chapter ends with questions for reflection and discussion to help readers enter a process of conversion, transformation, and revitalization.
Congratulations, Fr. Vien!
August 05, 2021
Multicultural Mass
On Thursday, August 05, ECS students from the summer session celebrated a multicultural mass. Sacred Heart is proud of the multicultural community who came together to engage in a multilingual mass, with liturgy, highlighting many traditions.
August 04, 2021
Congratulations Dr. James Stroud!
Sacred Heart is excited to announce a new publication by Dr. James Stroud, Associate Professor of Moral Theology:
Stroud, James. 2021. “Almsgiving as a Formative Practice of Repentance for Christian Discipleship: The Gospel of Luke and
Daniel 4:24,” Journal of Moral Theology 10, Special Issue No. 1: 84-103.
The article can be found here.
Congratulations, Dr. Stroud!
July 21, 2021
Congratulations Dr. Jeremy Blackwood!
Sacred Heart is excited to announce the book review by Dr. Jeremy Blackwood, Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology:
Doran, Robert M. Conscious in Two Ways: Robert M. Doran Remembers. Edited by Joseph Ogbonnaya, Jeremy W. Blackwood, and Gregory Lauzon. Milwaukee: Marquette University Press, 2021.
The reference for the publication can be found here.
Congratulations, Dr. Blackwood!
June 24, 2021
Congratulations on your Ordination Fr. Dan Kostelc!
Congratulations to Fr. Dan Kostelc, Diocese of Cheyenne, on his priestly ordination on June 24! Rejoicing with you on this special occasion!
June 04, 2021
Congratulations on your Ordination Fr. Wilbert Colas!
A huge congratulations to Fr. Wilbert Colas, Diocese of El Paso, on his priestly ordination on June 4! Rejoicing with you on this special occasion!
May 16, 2021
Milwaukee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
On Sunday, May 16, the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Guild of Organists presented a members’ recital in Sacred Heart’s main chapel. Organized by Professor Emeritus Christian Rich, the recital featured performers from throughout the Milwaukee chapter playing the entire “Great Eighteen” chorale preludes of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). The “Great Eighteen” (also known as the “Leipzig Chorales” since their final versions are collected together in a manuscript dating from Bach’s period in Leipzig) are among the composer’s most important contributions to the genre of organ composition based on hymn tunes. It was a rare treat to hear all these monumental pieces performed on the same program. The President of the American Guild of Organists, Milwaukee Chapter, is Ms. Audrey Rhinehart.
May 30, 2021
Congratulations on your Ordination Fr. Alex Sutachan!
Congratulations to Fr. Alex Sutachan, Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau, on his priestly ordination on May 30! God’s blessings on you and thank you for all you do in the service of God!
May 15, 2021
Congratulations on your Ordinations!
Congratulations to Fr. Michael Lawinger, Fr. Michael Malucha and Fr. Timothy Schumaker who were ordained to the priesthood of Jesus Christ on May 15!
May 07, 2021
May 2021 Commencement
Congratulations Graduates!
The Sacred Heart 2020-2021 Commencement Ceremony was held on Friday, May 7. A celebratory dinner followed the ceremony. The night was filled with so much joy and happiness for the graduates and their families!
To view photos from the ceremony and dinner, click here:
April 30, 2021
Congratulations DOCTOR Andrzej!
Fr. Sudol successfully defended his doctoral thesis (D.Min.) from Catholic Theological Union. Due to the pandemic, the defense was done on Zoom. The title of Fr. Andrzej’s thesis is: “Challenges and Opportunities of Initial Formation for Interculturality in the Congregation of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in the United States Province.” To read more, click here.
From all of us at Sacred Heart, congratulations!
April 24, 2021
Diaconate Ordinations
Matthew Ferch, Kevin Harmon, Matthew Kirk, Tonny Kizza, Ariel
Orozco, and Pedro Ruiz from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee were
ordained to the transitional diaconate on Saturday, April 24.
Congratulations and thank you for your ministry!
April 15, 2021
Congratulations!
Sacred Heart is pleased to announce that Dr. Jeremy Blackwood (systematic theology) and Dr. Brian Lee (scripture studies) have been granted a promotion in rank to Associate Professor. This is much deserved and hard earned. Sacred Heart is grateful to the members of the ranking committee and Dr. Patrick Russell for their work in reviewing and verifying their attainment of the necessary qualifications. Please join Sacred Heart in congratulating Dr. Blackwood and Dr. Lee and thanking them for their contribution to advancing our mission “to form missionary disciples who evangelize, both globally and locally, minds and hearts with the life and light of Jesus Christ” and our vision “to conform our world to the heart of Christ.”
April 12, 2021
Change in Immigration Policy That Impacts Seminarians
On Monday, April 12, 2021, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that F-1 students may apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) online. Form I-765, the Application for Employment Authorization, is completed to request both pre-completion and post-completion OPT. OPT allows international students up to one year of practical employment in the US. This can be completed during their studies, pre-completion, or more commonly, after graduation, post-completion.
The I-756 is one of eleven forms that are now available online. USCIS is working toward a paperless system. This change simplifies the OPT application process and reduces the possibility of denial due to postal delays. For more information, please contact lbates@shsst.edu or you may contact UCSIS directly at uscis.gov.
In order to support our sponsors with these types of issues, Sacred Heart is creating an Immigration Hub on our website, which will house procedural guidelines and helpful tips. This should be active within a few weeks. Check back for additional information.
More Information/Registration
March 17, 2021
Spring 2021 Dehon Lecture
The Most Reverend Joseph N. Perry, JCL, the Auxiliary Bishop of Chicago, was the keynote speaker for the Spring 2021 Dehon Lecture on the “Canonization of Fr. Augustus Tolton: Significance for Race Relations & Interculturality”. He was joined by respondents Dr. Paul Monson, Assistant Professor of Church History at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, and Ms. Celia Jackson, retired and former Archbishop’s Episcopal Delegate for Community Services and Director of African American Ministry for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.
The 2021 Spring Dehon lecture can be viewed HERE.
Respondents Ms. Celia Jackson and Dr. Paul Monson and the Q&A Section can be viewed HERE.
March 10, 2021
Institution of Lectors
Congratulations to the following seminarians who were instituted into the Ministry of Lector by Bishop McGovern from the Diocese of Belleville on March 10, 2021!
Luke Fitzgerald (Diocese of Belleville)
Matthew Solarz (Diocese of Great Falls-Billings)
Ricardo Rivera Gutierrez, S.D.S. (Society of the Divine Savior)
February 17, 2021
Day of Recollection – Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, February 17 was Ash Wednesday and a Day of Recollection at SHSST. Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, Provincial Supervisor of the U.S. Province of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, provided two talks for our faculty, staff, and seminarians. The day revolved around prayer and reflection during this Lenten season. To read Fr. Ed’s morning talk and Ash Wednesday Homily, please click on the links below.
Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ – Morning Talk
Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ – Ash Wednesday Homily
February 03, 2021
Blessing of Throats
February 3rd is the optional memorial of St. Blaise, Bishop and martyr (d. 316). According to legend, he miraculously cured a boy who was choking to death on a fish bone. He has long been associated with cures for the sick, especially afflictions of the throat. Because of that on this day, February 3rd, Sacred Heart traditionally blesses throats at Mass invoking the intercession of St. Blaise. This year due to Covid, it was a general blessing over those who attended.
The presider at Mass was Fr. Mark Mastin, S.C.J., a Sacred Heart alum.
February 03, 2021
“Servant Leadership”
On Wednesday, February 3, Bishop Haines virtually gave a presentation to Sacred Heart seminarians and employees on the topic of “Servant Leadership”. He shared his past experiences in parishes by providing examples on how everyone can better serve their community and inner-church families. Sacred Heart appreciates the time Bishop Haines gave to educating the group on this very important topic!
February 02, 2021
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord
February 2nd is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Father José González, Director of SHSST’s Hispanic Ministry Preparation Program, presided. Traditionally this day marked the last day of Christmas. The feast is also known as Candlemas because candles are blessed and lit as part of the entrance procession. Today is also the World Day of Consecrated Life when prayers are offered for men and women religious. In some countries the images of the baby Jesus are lifted from the crib and brought to Mass for a blessing before they are put away until the next Christmas Eve and placed in the manger.
January 27, 2021
A Prayer for International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Loving God, we come to you with heavy hearts, remembering the six million Jewish souls murdered during the Holocaust.
In the horrors of that history, when so many groups were targeted because of their identity, and in genocides which followed, we recognize destructive prejudices that drive people apart.
Forgive us when we give space to fear, negativity and hatred of others, simply because they are different from us.
In the light of God, we see everyone as equally precious manifestations of the Divine, and can know the courage to face the darkness.
Through our prayers and actions, help use to stand together with those who are suffering, so that light may banish all darkness, love will prevail over hate and good will triumph over evil.
Amen
Written by UK Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and Senior Imam Qari Asim; provided by Bonnie Shafrin, Director of the Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies.
January 20, 2021
Opening Mass
January 20th’s opening mass of the spring semester at SHSST gathered our community together, in person and virtually, to reflect upon Inauguration Day in America as well as the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
During his homily, Father Raúl spoke poignantly to the importance of “stepping toward the future with faith and hope” and recognizing “that we belong to one another and that we have a responsibility to strengthen the bonds among us.” Sacred Heart invites you to view Fr. Raúl’s homily here.
January 18, 2021
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
“The ultimate weakness of violence is that it is a descending spiral,
begetting the very thing it seeks to destroy.
Instead of diminishing evil, it multiplies it.
Through violence you may murder the liar,
but you cannot murder the lie, nor establish the truth.
Through violence you may murder the hater,
but you do not murder hate.
In fact, violence merely increases hate.
So it goes.
Returning violence for violence multiplies violence,
adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness:
only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“God of mercy and peace, you created us in your image, forming one human family. You love all your children without discrimination, and invite us to love each of our neighbors as ourselves. In hope, we lift up to you for healing the tensions and racism that plague our nation, and pray for increasing harmony and peace within our communities, and in our hearts. Amen.”
-Catholic Charities
This year marks the 30th year that the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will be holding a prayer service in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This prayer service was first organized and held here at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology by our alum, Msgr. Patrick Wells. Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, this year’s service will be virtual. SHSST has continued to be a sponsor and Dr. Ben Stone of our faculty has been part of the planning committee. Please see the attached flyer for information. And please tune in.
January 08, 2021
Dehon House
Thank you to EVERYONE who helped clean, move furniture, and overall prepare the Dehon House for the seminarians who will be living there this semester! The love and care that was poured into the Dehon house made the space a comfortable and peaceful environment. The Lord shows his love through people just like you!
January 08, 2021
Faculty and Staff Meeting
Sacred Heart faculty and staff assembled via Zoom to kick off the new semester! Wishing you all the very best in this new academic year. God bless!
December 30, 2020
SHSST Alumni Honored in Canada
Fr. Jim Holland, OMI, a graduate of Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, was one of five people recently named to receive the Order of Canada in 2021. According to a document from the Governor General of Canada, the Order of Canada “recognizes a lifetime of outstanding achievement, dedication to the community and service to the nation. The Order recognizes people in all sectors of Canadian society.” Fr. Jim was honored for his dedication to indigenous people and his commitment to reconciliation and inclusion. Click here to read more.
December 22, 2020
Renovation Preparations
Sacred Heart has begun to prepare for future renovations that are going to take place in 2021. Here are some photos of the work that has been done thus far.
December 11, 2020
Best Wishes!
Sacred Heart wishes Fr. Jean Claude Mbassi, SCJ, the best of luck as he leaves for ministry in South Dakota. May the Lord bless and protect you during your ministry!
December 11, 2020
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Thuanh Nguyen who fully transitioned to the Master of Divinity program!
December 11, 2020
Last Day of Spanish Class!
The picture below shows the students singing the Posadas song. The four students in class were singing one side of the song and the students from SFdSS were singing the other side – all via Zoom. The four in the picture are (from left-right): Hung Pham, Oliver Omega, Celsus Robert, and Michael Wodarczyk.
December 06, 2020
St. Nick’s Day Celebration
The ECS students celebrating St. Nick’s Day with the VP of Intercultural Preparation for Ministry, Kelly Kornacki.
December 03, 2020
Trivia Night
Sacred Heart employees enjoyed each other’s company during virtual trivia! A special thank you to Dr. Mike Brummond and Ms. Brittany Hager-McNeely for putting this event together! We look forward to more trivia events in the future.
December 01, 2020
We Will Miss You Bobby G.!
Sacred Heart celebrated Bob Granitz on December 01 as he transitions into retirement. Bob has been the lead custodian at Sacred Heart since 2001. The Sacred Heart community is blessed to have had Bob in their lives for almost two decades! Have a great retirement!
December 01, 2020
“Giving Hope Tuesday”
November 30, 2020
Renovations
Preparations for the renovations are starting! Today, a crew started clearing an area to collect demolition debris. Learn more about our renovations here.
November 26, 2020
Thanksgiving at Sacred Heart
Sacred Heart hopes you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! The residential seminarians were able to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner together at Sacred Heart.
Blessings to all during this holiday season!
November 19, 2020
Cor Unum Student, Vevette Hill Nwagbaraocha Featured in Catholic Herald
Nwagbaraocha hopes to ‘heal a fractured world”. To read the article, click here.
November 18, 2020
Congratulations to Dr. Patrick Russell and Dr. Stephanie Russell!
Sacred Heart is excited to announce that the Archbishop of Milwaukee, Most Rev. Jerome Listecki, has selected our own Dr. Patrick Russell and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Russell, as the recipients of the Vatican II Award for Service to the Church! Click here to read the full text of the announcement.
We offer our most hearty congratulations and thank them for their service.
November 3, 2020
“In Wisconsin, local Jews are helping tomorrow’s Catholic priests understand”
Click HERE to view an article form The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle featuring faculty member, Dr. Sherry Blumberg, and Director of the Lux Center, Ms. Bonnie Shafrin.
October 30, 2020
“Profiles in Catholicism”
Linked is a vocation interview with Brother Rob Roemer. He is a former alumnus of SHSST. Take a look here!
October 29, 2020
CPR Training
On Wednesday, October 29, Sacred Heart provided CPR training for a handful of Sacred Heart staff, faculty, and students. The training was socially distanced and materials were sanitized throughout the session. Sacred Heart continues to strive for a safer workplace and equipping the community with life saving skills, like CPR training. Thank you to those who were certified!
October 27, 2020
“Sacred Heart Thrives in Assisting with ‘Second Vocations'”
Click HERE to read the article from the Catholic Harold about the faith journey of our seminarian, Dcn. Dan Kostelc.
October 14, 2020
Institution of Acolyte
On Wednesday, October 14, Oliver Omega, Archdiocese of Winnipeg, was instituted as
Acolyte. The presider was Most Reverend James T. Schuerman, Auxiliary Bishop of
Milwaukee. Congratulations and may God bless you on your pastoral journey!
October 07, 2020
Multicultural Mass
On Wednesday, October 07, current ECS students celebrated a multicultural mass. Sacred Heart is proud of their multicultural community who came together to engage in a multilingual mass, with liturgy, highlighting their traditions.
September 30, 2020
Day of Recollection
Sacred Heart held a Day of Recollection on Wednesday, September 30. In-house seminarians participated in two discussions with Very Rev. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz SDS, PhD. Staff were invited to attend the discussions virtually. In case you missed the discussions, you are able to view them here:
September 23, 2020
Sacred Heart BBQ
The Sacred Heart community joined together for a BBQ lunch on September 23.
September 23, 2020
Rite of Commissioning
Sacred Heart held mass for the Rite of Commissioning Seminarians Involved in Pastoral Service on September 23. This fall, Oliver Omega of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg was commissioned to St. John Vianney.
September 21, 2020
Filming at Sacred Heart
A behind the scenes look at filming this past week. Sacred Heart is creating a series of videos to help people visit us virtually. Thank you to everyone involved!
September 2, 2020
Opening Mass
Sacred Heart celebrated the beginning of the academic year with Opening Mass on September 2, 2020.
The homily was given by Sacred Heart’s President Rector Very Rev. Raúl Gómez-Ruiz, SDS. Very Rev. Raúl’s full homily can be found here. Among the concelebrants was Very Rev. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, provincial superior of the US Province, as well as several members of the local SCJ community.
August 31, 2020
First Week of Classes
Students are spaced out in classrooms and are required to wear masks.
August 25-27, 2020
Orientation Fall 2020
Sacred Heart welcomed new seminarians and students while at orientation.
August 18-19, 2020
SHSST Seminarian Retreat
Below are photos from the new seminarians quarantined retreat from August.
“God has already called you, it’s up to you to accept His invitation.” – Fr. Raul Gomez Ruiz
“We can chose to make our decisions based on emotions or reason.” – Fr. Tom Knoebel
“In the short time I’ve been here, I’m taking the time to reflect, analyze and evaluate my calling in accordance to God’s purpose, not my own.” – Mr. Thanh Nguyen
“Being here feels right. I feel like I am where I’m supposed to be, where God wants me to continue my journey.” – Mr. Miguel Angel Perez Mendez
August 15, 2020
First Professions 2020
On August 15, 2020, Thien Nguyen, Thuan Nguyen, Hung Pham and Truc Tran professed their first vows with the Priests of the Sacred Heart (#Dehonians). Due to the pandemic, the liturgy was only open to SCJs in the local area; for others, livestreaming was available on Facebook. Fr. Ed Kilianski, SCJ, provincial superior, received the vows of Frater Hung, who is now a member of the US Province, as well as those of the three novices for the District of Vietnam (Fraters Thien Nguyen, Thuan Nguyen and Truc Tran). Fr. Joseph Quang Tran, SCJ, associate pastor at St. Martin of Tours in Franklin, WI, was the representative of the district. View the video at: https://www.facebook.com/PriestsoftheSacredHeart/videos/675004953096478/
July 05, 2020
Congratulations!
June 11, 2020
Congratulations!
June 8, 2020
VOICES IN THE CHURCH REGARDING OUR COMMITMENT TO RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
June 2, 2020
ATS Distance Learning Approval!
On June 2, 2020 the ATS Board of Commissioners met and accepted the report, confirming that our ART pathway conforms to the appropriate policies and procedures.
In a separate action on the same day, ATS has approved our petition to offer comprehensive distance education in a given program. With this approval, the mode of delivery we use for the ART pathway is also approved by ATS.
Further, the approval of this delivery method, can then be applied to any degree program. Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology may therefore also offer any other course content using a distance delivery method.
Dr. Brian Lee and Fr. Tom Knoebel have been notified that their book, Discovering Pope Francis has been awarded third place in the Theology category in the 2020 ACP Excellence in Publishing Award! See the Association of Catholic Publishers website for more details.
Congratulations Fr. Tom Knoebel and Dr. Brian Lee on an amazing achievement!
If you are interested in purchasing a copy of Discovering Pope Francis, click here.
May 01, 2020
Congratulations to Sacred Heart’s Spring Graduates!
May the Holy Spirit fill your heart and grant you strength to do God’s will. Congratulations and God bless you on this wonderful achievement.
April 29, 2020
Just One More Ministry
Thank you to the ECS students who helped make 1400 face masks for Just One More Ministry! Wow! Your help is invaluable to the community around us!
“Just One More Ministry seeks volunteers for 3.5 million mask campaign
Just One More Ministry has joined forces with Rebel Converting of Saukville in an effort to make and distribute 3.5 million face masks. The mask-making kits are given to volunteer families and organizations, and once the masks are completed, they are distributed to area healthcare facilities and nonprofits.
Just One More seeks to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ by caring for Milwaukee’s poor in spirit, providing regular nutritious meals for the hungry, and offering those who suffer with addictions a faith based recovery program for creating a fulfilling and God-centered life.”
For more information visit www.jomministry.org/masks
Want real-time details? Visit https://www.jomministry.org/masksout for the full progress dashboard.
April 29, 2020
Virtual Coffee Breaks
The IT dept helped organize two virtual coffee breaks on Thursday, April 16, to help our staff stay in touch with each other and share our experiences of the pandemic. Thank you for putting this together!
April 27, 2020
Congratulations
From the Chancery Newsletter (Archdiocese of Milwaukee) April 27, 2020
“Archdiocese of Milwaukee welcomes three new transitional deacons
Auxiliary Bishop, Most Reverend Jeffrey Haines, ordained three new transitional deacons for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, on Saturday, April 25, 2020: Michael Lawinger, Michael Malucha, and Timothy Schumaker. The ordination Mass was celebrated in Christ King Chapel at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, with a very limited number of guests in attendance. Please keep each of these young men close in prayer as they begin their service to and with God’s people.”
Congratulations and thank you for your ministry!
April 25, 2020
Cor Unum Students Give Back!
Cor Unum students helped cohort-member Shanedra with making meals (while practicing social distancing!) at the Cathedral’s Open Door Café. Thank you to everyone who donated their time giving back to the community!
January 6-7, 2020:
2020 Preaching Conference
Monday evening, Jan. 6 – Wednesday evening, Jan. 7, 2020
Sacred Heart hosted the Third Annual SHSST Preaching Conference, “Hearing the Hebrew Scriptures with a Heart for Homiletics” on January 6-7. The event had seven presenters: Cantor David Barash, Congregation Emanu-El B’ne Jeshurun (Milwaukee), Dr. Benjamin Stone, Director of Music and Organist at Sacred Heart, Dr. Sherry H. Blumberg, Adjunct Professor at Sacred Heart, Rabbi Steven H. Adams, Director of Pastoral Care for Ovation Communities in Milwaukee and President of the Wisconsin Council of Rabbis, Dcn. Steve Kramer, Director of Homiletics and Assistant Professor of Pastoral Studies at Sacred Heart, Dr. Richard C. Lux, Professor Emeritus of Scripture Studies at Sacred Heart, and Rabbi David Cohen, Congregation Sinai, Milwaukee, WI.
December 8, 2019:
Advent Concert of Sacred Music
On Sunday, December 08, Sacred Heart hosted the 2019 Advent Concert of Sacred Music in Celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Berghaus Pipe Organ. The concert featured Benjamin A. Stone, Organist, Charles Christian Rich, Organist, and The Bach Chamber Choir. The event had over 200 attendees.
November 17, 2019
“Reflections on the Holocaust: Franklin Roosevelt, Immigration, and the Jews”
Lecturer Dr. Tim Crain, the former director of the National Catholic Center for Holocaust Education and assistant professor of history at Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, visited Sacred Heart to speak on the type of relationship President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s had with the Jews and his response to their situation during the Holocaust. He expanded on the contentious debate that still lingers (nearly seventy-five years after World War II) over whether FDR turned his back on the Jews of Hitler’s Europe or saved millions of potential victims by defeating Nazi Germany.
November 13, 2019:
Fall 2019 Dehon Lecture with Austen Ivereigh
Austen Ivereigh is a journalist, fellow in contemporary church history at Campion Hall, Oxford, and author of “The Great Reformer”, a biography of Pope Francis. He was the keynote speaker of Sacred Heart’s Fall 2019 Dehon Lecture. The topic of his lecture was “Wounded Shepherd: the Sacred Heart and the Reform of Pope Francis”.
For more photos of this event, click here
November 3, 2019:
Catholic-Jewish Book Dialogue: An Antidote to Misunderstanding and Bias
Catholic-Jewish Book Dialogue: An Antidote to Misunderstanding and Bias took place at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist on Sunday, November 3rd.
October 10 & 11, 2019
English and Culture Studies Mass and Culture Fair
On Wednesday, October 9 the ECS students led the Eucharist at Sacred Heart. With the beautiful music and prayers, the students did an amazing job integrating their cultures at Mass!
Along with Mass, on Thursday, October 10, the ECS students held a Culture Fair. Everyone truly appreciated the time and effort put into their displays!
For more photos from Mass click – https://photos.app.goo.gl/LAko1Ern73w3tSuE7
For more photos from the Culture Fair click – https://photos.app.goo.gl/kJxgpXBMdpxpkdrCA
Wednesday, Nov. 17
What Jews Do When They Pray
7:00-8:15 pm CST
Rabbi Scott Shafrin
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October 2, 2019
Institution of Acolytes
On October 2, 2019 Bob England; Jerry Land; and Simon Muema, SDS were instituted as Acolytes. Congratulations and may God bless you on your pastoral journey.
September 27, 2019:
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine Lecture
On Friday, September 27, The Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies invited Dr. Amy-Jill Levine to speak on the topic “Understanding Jesus Means Understanding Judaism”. A key focus of her presentation will be on how to avoid preaching and teaching anti-Judaism. This topic has taken on even more urgency with the recent rise in anti-Semitism, which most tragically manifested itself in the mass shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh last October.
Known as the world’s leading Jewish scholar of the New Testament, Dr. Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science. She is highly respected in Catholic circles, as evident by the fact that she was recently invited to address the Pontifical Biblical Commission.
September 26, 2019:
Sr. Rose Thering Award Dinner
On Thursday, September 26, the Lux Center hosted their 2nd Sr. Rose Thering Award Dinner at the Boerner Botanical Gardens. The dinner honored Most Rev. Richard J. Sklba for his many years dedicated to furthering interreligious relations.
Recipient Bishop Emeritus Richard J. Sklba has served the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for the past 60 years. As a pastor and an auxiliary bishop, he is known for his compassion and his scholarly knowledge of both Hebrew and New Testament Scriptures. Bishop Sklba’s career has demonstrated unique dedication to the church’s ecumenical and interreligious relationships on a national and local level. He co-chaired the national Lutheran/Catholic Dialogue and served as chair of the USCCB’s Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs.
The Most Reverend Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Richard J. Sklba has participated in projects with the country’s mainline Protestant Churches and has attended countless meetings with Jewish scholars in United States in an effort to promote interreligious understanding and cooperation. He has been a long-time member of the Catholic Biblical Association of America and the Society for Biblical Literature. He has published many articles, papers and books.
Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Bishop Sklba attended St. Francis Minor Seminary in Milwaukee. He then studied at the Gregorian University in Rome where he was ordained to the priesthood for the Milwaukee Archdiocese in 1959. He served at St. Mary’s Parish in Elm Grove before returning to Rome to study at the Pontifical Biblical Institute where he earned an advanced master’s degree in Sacred Scripture. He also completed the equivalent of a doctoral degree in Sacred Theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Bishop Sklba taught Scripture at St. Francis de Sales Seminary for 11 years and was appointed Rector of the seminary in 1976. In December of 1979, he was ordained as an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Rembert Weakland, OSB, and continued to serve under Archbishops Dolan and Listecki.
Bishop Sklba served for three years as the co-chair of the Advisory Board of the Lux Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies. The Lux Center recognizes his leadership as a promoter of love and peace among human beings and a builder of bridges between people of faith.
For more photos, click here.
September 26, 2019:
“Our Lady of Compassion”
After 18 months of devoted work by Fr. Charles Brown, SCJ, “Our Lady of Compassion” was generously given in service to Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology by the Priest of the Sacred Heart. The icon of the blessed virgin Mary with the infant Christ reminds us of the close ties of Mary to Christ and his Church. Foremost, she was Christ’s mother, but is also the image and model of the Church, its exemplar. Fr. Charlie noted that he wants people to take away an individual meaning from the painting, but it is also public proclamation to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you to the SCJs for this beautiful gift. The artwork was blessed by the Most Reverend Christophe Pierre, the Apostolic Nuncio to the United State of America, during a Votive Mass of Our Lady, Mother of the Church on September 25, 2019. The image hangs in the Sacred Heart Chapel on a beautiful wooden stand made by Fr. Byron Halaand, SCJ.
September 13, 2019:
We invite you to join us for an afternoon discussion on “Science and the American Priesthood: The Legacy of Fr. John A. Zahm, C.S.C., for Catholic Ministry Today,” Friday, September 13, 2019, at 2pm at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology. This discussion will be the last major event of our Science for Seminaries Grant, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The grant has provided ample opportunity for faculty and seminarians to explore scientific discoveries and questions in preparation for future ministry. For this final event, we have organized two sessions on the Church’s assessment of biological evolution in the past and the present, with a focus on its meaning for priestly formation and ministry in America. To this end, we have invited three speakers to lead our conversation. Dr. John Slattery of AAAS will discuss his recent book on one of the first American priests to engage the question of evolution, Fr. John Augustine Zahm, C.S.C. (1851–1921). Fr. Steven Avella will respond to this presentation with a closer examination of Zahm’s place within U.S. Catholic history and the Americanist controversy (especially here in Milwaukee). Dr. Slattery will further outline the theological development of Catholic thought on evolution, and, as a response, Fr. James Kurzynski of the Diocese of La Crosse, has graciously agreed to return to Sacred Heart to share his own pastoral experience in addressing the topic of evolution. As some may recall, Fr. Kurzynski kicked off our science grant this past November with a “Gold Vespers” and lecture on astronomy.
Watch
May 13-16, 2019:
Institute for Pastoral Leadership in Multiple Parishes Presenter: Mark Moglika
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology has announced the establishment of the Institute for Pastoral Leadership in Multiple Parishes, addressing the trend of multiple parish ministry of priests in the United States, Canada, and worldwide. The Institute will start with a conference May 13-16 on the campus of Sacred Heart, with international multiple parish expert Mark Mogilka. Focusing on Pastoring Multiple Parishes (Loyola, 2009) by Dr. Kate Wiskus and Mogilka, the conference will provide training, resources, research, and best practices. Today, Bishops worldwide are increasingly assigning priests as pastors to faith communities at more than one site. These pastoral assignments include: pastors of multiple parishes; pastors of parishes and missions; and pastors of merged parishes at multiple sites. Priests serving as pastors in these complex pastoral ministry situations find that there is a lack of resources available for this growing phenomenon. Only 5% of dioceses in the United States, for instance, provide any training for pastors being asked to undertake this ministry.
April 10, 2019:
Spring 2019 Dehon Lecture Series with Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J.
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology, in collaboration with the Priests of the Sacred Heart, is proud to welcome Sr. Norma Pimentel, M.J., as the keynote of our Spring 2019 Dehon Lecture Series. The Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, Sr. Norma is also known as the “Mother Teresa of North America” and “Pope Francis’ favorite nun.” She will discuss Ministry with the Migrants during her morning lecture on Wednesday, April 10. Panelists will join her in the afternoon, telling personal stories of challenges and ultimate successes as migrants, refugees, and immigrants.
March 21, 2019:
2019 Spring Lecture: The Pope and the Rabbi: A Faithful Friendship with Keynote Speaker Rabbi Abraham Skorka
Guided by their own religious convictions, Rabbi Skorka and Pope Francis spent years conversing about their understanding of God and of each other. Today they are friends. Rabbi Skorka is a biophysicist, rabbi, seminary rector, and author.
Photos from Rabbi Skorka’s visit
Rabbi Skorka chats with WTMJ Radio’s Mark Siegrist:
January 7-8, 2019:
Preaching Conference – Teaching Profound Possibilities in the Lukan Parables
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology hosted the second annual preaching conference on January 7-8 which focused on
preaching in the Lukan Parables from a socioeconomic standpoint; to the military and their families; to the Latino community; and for everyday life. Father John Rausch, a Catholic priest with the Glenmary Home Missioners serving small towns in Appalachia and the South living in Stanton, Kentucky, coordinates a Ministry of Appalachian Justice Education. He was named the recipient of the 2007 “Teacher of Priest” award presented by Pax Christi U.S.A.
October 8-11, 2018:
A Landmark International Symposium: Discovering Pope Francis – Theological, Philosophical, Cultural, and Spiritual Perspectives
Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology held a landmark international symposium Discovering Pope Francis: Theological, Philosophical, Cultural, and Spiritual Perspectives. This symposium featured groundbreaking presentations and panel discussions by world-class scholars who examined the pastoral theology of Pope Francis from his European and Latin-American roots to his Papacy today.
Among the featured speakers were Archbishop Christophe Pierre, apostolic nuncio to the Catholic Church and the Government in the United States; Bishop Robert Barron, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries; and Cardinal Blase Cupich, Archbishop of Chicago.
November 15, 2018:
Gold Vespers
In the summer of 2018, SHSST received a $75,000 “Science for Seminaries” Grant through the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Dr. Blackwood, Dr. Stroud, and Dr. Monson wrote and secured this grant through our proposal, “Seeking the Heart of Science: From God to Galileo to Grandma, and Beyond.” The grant serves as an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to engage new developments in astronomy, astrophysics, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, and psychology. We are convinced that a robust dialogue between the Church and science, faith and reason, is essential to the formation of our future priests in today’s secularized and skeptical world.
To celebrate this grant, we held “Gold Vespers” on Thursday, November 15, the Memorial of St. Albert the Great, teacher of Aquinas and patron of scientists. This event adopted a new trend among dioceses and seminaries to offer a “Gold Mass” for Catholic scientists (much as a “Blue Mass” is for Catholic law enforcement). We had the distinct honor of hosting Fr. James Kurzynski as our celebrant and guest lecturer. Fr. Kurzynski is a priest of the Diocese of La Crosse, the pastor of St. Olaf Parish in Eau Claire, the author of the new book, God’s Canvas: An Exploration of Faith and Science, and a member of the Vatican Observatory Foundation. He has recently highlighted SHSST and SFdSS on the Foundation’s blog.
2020 Fall Jewish Studies Seminar for Christians: The Jewish People and the Church
