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We are Joseph-Thien Dinh, SCJ, Chuck Wonch, SCJ, and David Szatkowski, SCJ

On December 16, Joseph-Thien Dinh, David Szatkowski and Chuck Wonch were ordained to the diaconate by Bishop Joseph Perry, auxiliary bishop of Chicago.  The liturgy took place at St. Benedict the African Church (East) on Chicago’s south side.  Dn. David has ministered at the predominantly African-American parish while he has been studying at Catholic Theological Union. The faith community of St. Benedict’s  filled the church, even overflowing to a side room where the liturgy was viewed on closed circuit television.   Music was provided by the parish’s gospel choir; SCJs from around the country joined in the liturgy.

“This is a time of completion but also a start for me in my path of formation,” said Dn. Chuck about his ordination.  “I have completed my studies at Catholic Theological Union and have left Chicago to work and live in Lower Brule, SD.  I am very happy to be back in the rural setting of the prairie. [He had done a year of ministry with the Lower Brule Pastoral Team before completing his theological studies.]  

“I have completed the first major phase of my formation, but in reality I am just starting the next phase of my life-long formation as I move into living in community and working with the many people that we serve.”

Dn. Chuck, 55, is originally from Colville, Wash., but spent 25 years of his life in Crystal Springs, Miss., following a stint in the U.S. Air Force.  He has a bachelor’s in Industrial Management from Jackson State University, Miss., and a master’s in Theological Studies from Spring Hill College, Alabama. 

He has studied at Sacred Heart School of Theology and at Catholic Theological Union.  Dn. Chuck professed his first vows in 1997. 

Dn. Joseph, 32, was born in Saigon, Vietnam, but has lived in the United States since 1987.

“I have been associated with SCJs since 1992,” he said.  “During these years, I have had the opportunity to meet SCJs throughout the province by living, visiting, and working with the community.  Especially during the novitiate year and my ministry year, I have had more of an opportunity to get to know the SCJ community, ministries, way of life, and spirituality.”  He professed his first vows in 1996.

“What attracted me to religious life and especially to the SCJs is the charism, ministry, spirituality, the spirit of the SCJ community life, and most of all, the devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus,” he said.  “This special devotion is from the love of God through the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  SCJs then bring God’s love to other people and particularly to the poor and those who are neglected by society.”

Dn. Joseph is a member of the formation community in Chicago and is completing his theological studies at CTU.  His undergraduate degree is from Incarnate World University in San Antonio 

Professed with Dn. Chuck in 1997, Dn. David is 28 and as noted, has been very active with St. Benedict the African parish where the diaconate ordination took place.  For parishioners, it was like having a member of their family ordained (along with a few of his friends).  

Dn. David was born in Pueblo, Colo., but being the child of a military family, he has called many places home.  He earned his undergraduate degree from Incarnate Word University, and has done his theological studies at CTU.  He is a member of the Chicago Formation Community. 

For a year, he ministered with the SCJs in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas.  There, he taught confirmation and ESL classes, ministered in a hospice and did organizational work with area social service agencies. 

He will continue his ministry at St. Benedict the African. 

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