Each Tuesday and Friday morning two SCJ priests with plenty of experience in delivering a homily sit side-by-side with a group of fourth-year seminarians at Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology who are just beginning to learn the basics of preaching.
Why the trip back to the seminary, sitting in a “Liturgical Preaching” class with 15 transitional deacons?
The SCJ priests are Fr. Ari Saputra SCJ, of the Indonesian Province, and Fr. Floribert Bulo Dhelo, SCJ, of the Congolese Province. Students in SHSST’s ECS program (English and Culture Studies), the two are preparing for ministry in the United States. Recognizing that preaching techniques often vary from country and culture, Dn. Steve Kramer, SHSST Director of Homiletics and Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies, reached out to Ryan Stubbs, Director of the ECS program, as well as the SCJ community, and suggested that the two priests would benefit from the Liturgical Preaching course. A staple of a seminarian’s preparation, the course would offer the international SCJs an opportunity to practice preaching in the US church.
Frs. Floribert and Ari are also taking “Sacramental Rites,” a course for third-year seminarians who are learning how to minister as deacons. Again, while they are both well-versed in celebrating baptisms, weddings and funerals, it is an opportunity for the international priests to transfer their skills to ministry in the United States.
“Intercultural relationships are crucial in learning how to serve an increasingly global church,” said Dn. Steve.
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