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
Let the Priests of the Sacred Heart pray for your loved ones and intentions.
Join Fr. Dominic in a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
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.
You are such a wonderful friend to the Priests of the Sacred Heart. As we begin 2023, I offer you this special prayer: May you live as though every day is a new beginning of life in Christ.
For those of us who follow our Lord, truly every day is a new beginning. Every day is a gift from God — an opportunity to grow more in love with Him and show love to one another.
I hope you will carry this prayer with you and share it with others so others will come to know the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Let us pray together for God to strengthen our hearts in His love and deepen our hope in His promises. Let us move forward as new creations.
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus bless you, as you have blessed our ministry with your kindness and compassion, each new day of this new year … and always!
Gratefully in Christ,