Our Spiritual Director

Meet Father Dominic, SCJ

Father Dominic Peluse brings compassion, joy and an abiding devotion to the Sacred Heart to his role as Spiritual Director.

Originally from Poughkeepsie, NY, he is the second of three boys in a devout family. Deciding to pursue his vocation upon graduating high school, he visited a seminary operated by the Priests of the Sacred Heart – and in a matter of days had found his home.

“There were such wonderful priests and brothers at the seminary. They talked about Fr. Dehon and about the Congregation. The more I learned, the more I wanted to be part of them,” he recalls. In 1967 he professed his first vows. He was ordained in 1974.

“Except for a short time doing vocation work, most of my priesthood has been in parish ministry. I really loved it; being in a parish, making friendships, being part of people’s lives in both good times and bad. It is a way that we can be Eucharist to others.”

Fr. Dominic’s pastoral experience underpins his role as Spiritual Director. “It’s just that now the congregation is bigger,” he chuckles.

“Being present to others and being supportive is a way to give joy and hope. You can’t buy joy, but in giving of yourself you receive joy. That’s what I learned in parish ministry, and that’s what I bring to my work as Spiritual Director.”

Fr. Dominic enjoys meeting benefactors and sharing with them as much as he can about the SCJs. He feels blessed to be able to visit SCJ missions around the world and get to know the people served by the Priests of the Sacred Heart. He’s proud of the Congregation for its ministry among the poor and needy, and for its spirituality.

“Being an SCJ has expanded my knowledge of who the Body of Christ is. The Body of Christ is the people, the people of our world. What makes me proud to be an SCJ is that we are trying to be a living Gospel for others and helping to bring that out in those to whom we minister. We are the Body of Christ.”

Father Dominic in Action

Our Spiritual Leader

Prayer Request

Let the Priests of the Sacred Heart pray for your loved ones and intentions.

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Pray with Father Dominic

Join Fr. Dominic in a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

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FaLang translation system by Faboba

Dear Friend of the Sacred Heart,

On behalf of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, I thank you for your kind friendship. Your prayers and faithful generosity allow our priests and brothers to share the message of Christ’s love and peace and care for people in need throughout the world.

One hundred years ago, our congregation’s founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon, involved himself – despite cautions and hesitations from some brethren — with the poor, the repressed and those who were threatened. His call for social action in ministry did not rise from a sense of moral obligation as much as a response to the love Jesus revealed on the cross. It was to show love and mercy to others.

Love and mercy … each is such a simple word, but has great impact — impact that daily remains so important to the world! These concepts are central to the ministry of the Priests of the Sacred Heart, and through your generosity, you exemplify both.

Through your kindness, our priests and brothers continue reaching out to the poor, the repressed and those who are threatened. In an era burdened by unimaginable circumstances, who can doubt the world needs more mercy … more love?

Please know we at the Priests of the Sacred Heart are praying for you, your family and all those serving in the military. In turn, I hope you will pray for us.

Gratefully in Christ,

Father Dominic