PROVINCIAL CHAPTER OF THE GBI DEHONIANS (9 - 12 October 2023)
by Fr Michel Simo Temgo, SCJ (Dublin)
At the beginning, Fr Hugh Hanley (Provincial Superior) remarked that our meeting was the very first since Covid 19, and it was an exceptional moment of reunion and celebration between the confreres. It was also a moment of listening and testimony for the province's older confreres. The Provincial Chapter was held at the same time as the synod on synodality in Rome, which is marked by a spirit of listening.
The Provincial Chapter was an opportunity to diagnose the present and future of the GBI province, but also to look to the future with hope, thanks to a message of encouragement from the Superior General, Fr Carlos, played at the start of the meeting. The Provincial Chapter is an important moment in the life of the province and of the Congregation," said Fr Carlos. He wished the meeting every success, as the SCJs of the GBI province gather to reflect on the present and future of the entity.
This gathering is a Kairos at a time when we need to renew our commitment to the Church, especially in Europe where mission is a real challenge. We need to reflect together on how we can offer ourselves to the Church and to society. Like a small seed, we need to find our place and grow where we are. The Congregation is ready to collaborate, but we need to dream and dream together," continued Father Carlos.
The Provincial Chapter guidelines of the Provincial Directory served as the compass for this important meeting. Fr. Stephen Huffstetter's address encouraged the members of the province and gave the state of the congregation in terms of membership and its development from north to south. In keeping with the synodal spirit, at the end of the chapter each confrere was given the opportunity to mention in one word what he would like to retain from this meeting.
The most important thing is that we've met as brothers, that we've listened to each other, that we've exchanged opinions, that we've had the spirit of building the province. We're still active, and that's the most important thing. We are an international province. The passion for our vision and our identity is the kind of debate about our identity that needs to happen more often. We're encouraged to get together more often. We've had some happy times getting together as a province, sharing good news, experiences, and listening to other people's points of view. It was an opportunity to express ourselves, a very convivial moment. It's great to meet up with everyone after a very long break, the place was great, but it was realistic. Our hope is that this is the beginning of a vision, of a momentum to try to take courageous steps for the future. Thank you all for the joy and best wishes for the future. There was an energy, a kind of unity.
The closing mass dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was presided over by Father Stephen Huffstetter in the chapel at 66 Inchicore Road. During this mass, we prayed for our jubilarians, Father John Kelly, who celebrated 25 years of priesthood, and Father Bobby Mann, who celebrated 40 years of priesthood. God's love grows in the community when we are aware that our Lord Jesus Christ is hidden in the community through every brother," said Father Stephen. We now look forward to next year's General Chapter in Rome, where our elected delegate, Father Marian Szalwa, and Provincial Father Hugh Hanley will represent us.
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NOVEMBER 2023 LETTER
Dear Friends
Soon November will be upon us. Our loved ones and friends who have gone before us are always in our hearts. But particularly at this time of the year they come to mind more easily as the nights draw in and nature prepares for winter. In civil society too there are frequent remembrances for those who have been lost, even if for Catholics it is only a temporary separation and we look forward to being re-united with them in the life to come.
If you would like to send in the names of your deceased to be remembered at our Masses during the month of November, then please fill in and return the enclosed form. The forms will be placed under our altar, and the community of the Sacred Heart Fathers here at St John’s will remember them throughout the month. You can also send in your list of names using the 'Contact Us' form on this website.
Hope you are keeping well. Here at St John’s the community are in good form. In the Spring we were joined by a new member, Fr Liam Rooney SCJ, who will be familiar to many of our mailing list. Some in the North East will have known him originally as Brother Jude. He was on the team at Woodcote Hall and then Malpas. He then worked for the students at Gateshead. When our scholastics moved to Dublin he got the chance to begin his studies of theology and was ordained at his beloved Knock Shrine near his home town of Swinford in 2002. Since then he has worked in our parishes in Stockport and Dublin before going to Smithstone House in Kilwinning. In December he broke his hip in a fall. Recovery was slow so he moved here to Stockport where we have a lift. He continues to grow in strength and was able to fly twice to Knock recently, sadly to visit his seriously ill brother and then for his funeral.
Below you have the Gospel and Opening Prayer from the Mass of All Souls, as well as a famous prayer of St John Henry Newman. Though the foliage in autumn will fall, we leave hope for the leap to Spring.
God bless,
Hugh Hanley SCJ
GOSPEL FROM MASS OF ALL SOULS: Jesus exclaimed, “I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do. Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, just as no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. ‘Come to me, all you who labour and are overburdened and I will give you rest. Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Yes, my yoke is easy and my burden light.”
CARDINAL NEWMAN’S PRAYER: ‘May he support us all the day long, till the shades lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in his mercy may He give us a safe lodging and a holy rest and peace at the last.’
OPENING PRAYER FROM MASS OF ALL SOULS: Let us pray for all our departed brothers and sisters. Merciful Father, hear our prayers and console us. As we renew our faith in your Son, whom you raised from the dead, strengthen our hope that all our departed brothers and sisters will share in his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.