Here - Priests of the Sacred Heart

August, 2010, Vol. 31, No. 44SCJ NEWSthe Sacred Heart in 1972 and was ordainedin 1977.His first assignment landed him ina place that he still enjoys callinghome: Mississippi. Starting in 1980 atQueen of Peace parish in Olive Branch,Miss., he is now executive director ofSacred Heart Southern Missions,which is a combination of what usedto be SHSM and the Sacred HeartLeague.For eight years Fr. Jack was directorof the province vocation office. Hehas also served the province on a varietyof committees and commissions,and was a delegate to the 1997 generalchapter.“I have always found it to be affirmingto be nominated for the council;it is even more so to be elected,”said Fr. Jack. “The past six years haverequired a commitment of time and energynot only for the council meetingsthemselves but for meeting preparation,teleconference calls, emails andtravel. But, I have enjoyed it and foundit to be rewarding as well as challenging.I consider service to the provinceto be an important part of who I am. Ilook forward to serving as a member ofthis administration as the province togethercreates our future.”Based in SCJ spiritualityFr. Byron Haaland, 61, was the fifthcouncilor elected. A California native,he professed vows in 1970 and was ordainedin 1977.Formation, spirituality, and retreatministry have been the mainstays of Fr.Byron’s life as an SCJ. He was on theformation team of the Chicago Houseof Studies, of the undergraduate formationprogram in San Antonio, andfor the North American novitiate inDetroit.However, it is retreat ministrywhich has had a special place in hisheart since he directed his first retreatas a deacon. For many years, his retreatwork was based out of St Joseph’sRetreat Center in Baileys Harbor, Wis.But he has also traveled the country,and internationally, giving retreats fora wide variety of groups and organizations.In the 1980s and 1990s Fr. Byronserved on the Wisconsin State Boardfor Adult Children of Alcoholics. “Wefocused on getting information toteachers, administrators, counselorsand parents to help them understandhow alcohol and drugs affect children.”Out of that experience came a retreatseries that Fr. Byron developedfor adult children of alcoholics. Hespent eight years presenting the retreataround the country, including atSacred Heart School of Theology,where it was done as a part of the continuingeducation program.He has also presented retreats toparticipants in Alcoholics Anonymous.“There are many similarities in 12-stepprograms and SCJ spirituality,” he said.“I think that SCJ spirituality kind of ‘catapults’you into a poverty of spirit thathelps you to see your powerlessness.”And from that sense of “powerlessness,”said Fr. Byron, one realizes that itis only through God that “we can doanything.”With a full schedule that includesministry at St. Ann Center forIntergenerational Care in Milwaukeeand serving with the formation departmentat Sacred Heart School ofTheology, Fr. Byron has had to lessenhis retreat schedule a bit in recentmonths.But whatever he does he said thatollowing a tradition began in 2007,members of the U.S. Provincewere invited to a two-day assembly asa sort of “kick-off” for the new provincialadministration.Meetings took place at theProvincial Conference Center on thegrounds of Sacred Heart Monthebasis is always the same: SCJ spirituality.“Welcoming the spirit, respondingto Christ’s love, seeking unionand communion with Jesus, and cooperatingin the work of redemption.That is SCJ spirituality in a nutshell.”It’s the base of his retreat ministry,and the base of everything else he does.Continuing in administrationSeveral appointments were madeby the new administration soon afterits election. Dn. David Nagel, SCJ,will continue to serve as provincetreasurer and Br. Frank Presto, SCJ,will remain as provincial secretary.Other provincial appointments will bemade in September.Walkingtogether towardthe futureThe newest member of the province, Fr. Hendrik (center) voted in his first election assemblyF