News

75 years ago this September I boarded the overnight train in Minneapolis and arrived at the Glenview Train station the next morning. Brother “Bonny” Bonaventure was waiting on the platform to take me and my cousin Mike to Techny for breakfast and the beginning of what would turn out to be the great adventure. There […]

Twenty-one (21) SVD seniors attended the English Third Age Renewal Course that was held from May22nd to July 3rd 2026. The course as such aimed “to foster personal renewal of an SVD religious missionary called to be at the service of Jesus in the world”. It begun in Steyl, Holland and ended in Nemi, Rome. […]

A Reflection from the CMSM National Assembly, Phoenix I have returned from the annual National Assembly of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM) in Phoenix, where this year’s theme, “One in Christ: Communal Life Today,” invited superiors, formators, and brothers in religious life to reflect anew on community as the beating heart of […]

Sacred Heart Parish in Prescott stands at a remarkable threshold. Next year, our community will celebrate 150 years of faith, service, and presence in northern Arizona. This anniversary is more than a date on a calendar. It is a moment of grace, a chance to remember where we came from, to recognize who we are […]

Who are you? This is what the readings of the 13th Sunday in Ordinary time ask us. Normally the first thing that comes to mind is the name we received at Baptism and our Family name. “I am so and so!” Jon Kirby or Elmer Fudd. But when thinking a little deeper, other things start […]

When my parents received their visiting visas to the United States to attend my ordination in May 2006, their excitement traveled clearly across the telephone line from China. It was their first journey outside their homeland, and the anticipation on both sides of the Pacific was palpable. On the day of their arrival, I drove […]

During this year of Jubilee celebrations people have often asked, “So what makes you SVD Fathers so different?” I take this as both an honor and a challenge. They have seen the beautiful blue banners of Arnold Janssen and Joseph Freina-demetz, and those of our Sisters at our Church entrances and sanctuaries. They have experienced […]

Our 150th anniversary in San Diego was a joyful success, uniting parishioners from St. Kateri Tekakwitha, Blessed Sacrament, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and St. John the Evangelist, with nearly 400 guests in at-tendance. We are deeply grateful to the Sycuan Tribe, especially Vice-Chairman Josh Muse and his wife, Priscilla, whose leadership and 100% […]

This year marks a remarkable milestone: 150 years since the founding of the Divine Word Missionaries. What began as a small mission has grown into a worldwide community of faith and service. Here in Phoenix, we had the joy of celebrating this jubilee with the entire diocese. When Bishop John Dolan warmly invited us to […]

On September 6, 2025, the Western Province celebrated the climax of our yearlong commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of our founding at Queen of Angels parish in Riverside CA. It was a milestone in mission, one that resonated deeply across our Province. SVDs and laity came from the furthest corners; north to south from San […]