SCJ

Priests of the Sacred Heart
Vocation Office in the United States

 

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Fr. Jim Walters, SCJ

Home Brother Lyle Fr. John Klingler Brother Ray Fr. Yvon Brother Ben Br. Duane Fr. Richard Fr. Quang Fr. Edward Deacons Dn. Chuch Wonch Rev. Guy Blair SCJ Priesthood Rev. Bob Bossie Rev. John Czyzynski Fr. Stephen Huffstetter Fr. PJ McQuire Fr. Michael Fette Fr. Frank Presto, SCJ Fr. Frank Wittouck, SCJ Fr. Leonard Elder, SCJ Fr. Bernard Rosinski, SCJ Fr. Richard Johnston, SCJ Fr. Jim Walters, SCJ Fr. Peter Mastrobuono, SCJ Fr. Michael van der Peet, SCJ Fr. Justin Guiltnane, SCJ Long Nyugen, SCJ Fr. Paul Casper, SCJ Son Ho Fr. Jim Schroeder, SCJ Fr. Tom Fix, SCJ Fr. Leonard Tadyszak, SCJ Fr. Charles Yost, SCJ Fr. Joseph-Thien Dinh, SCJ Fr. Nick Brown, SCJ Fr. Joseph-Thi Pham, SCJ

 

 

 

 

 

My first contact with the SCJ’s came through a newsletter, "Children of the Prairie' that was published at St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Later, I was to serve at the school as a chaplain and counselor for six years. I was drawn to the SCJ’s by their focus on mission and service throughout the world. Our call to be "prophets of love and servants of reconciliation' is a vocation to answer a growing need in the Church today. 

To me, being an SCJ means that I am a witness to the love of Christ symbolized in his Sacred Heart in the day-to-day work of building community whether among the Lakota Sioux of South Dakota or the Hispanic communities of South Texas or with second-career vocations at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin. What I live and who I am both challenges and enriches my life as I experience the presence of Christ in the diversity of cultures. 

Our founder, Fr. Leo John Dehon, believed in our mission to the world. It's a mission to which I witness no matter where I live. My counseling background opens me to frequent opportunities to reconcile those who feel hurt and often angry at the larger church or who are seeking a more peaceful way to live in their families and communities.

None of this would be possible without the support and struggle of living in community with other men who share a common vision and mission. I have lived in communities with as few as two members or as many as eleven. Presently, I live with 9 US SCJs and another 24 who come from countries around the world to learn English and share in our prayer and community life. Each community offers its gifts and challenges. 

I continue to feel motivated and energized as an SCJ. I see the challenges of living religious life today but I am encouraged by the many and diverse talents around me. Together I believe we can help build the church of tomorrow as today we live out the reality of the church in our prayer and community life.

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