Roisin and Deidre will support the children’s education during there time in Holy Family
Roisin Brennan, a childcare worker from Kilkenny, shares some of her experiences on the MSC Volunteering Project 2018:
“Where to start … Well I’m already considering returning in the future. The people here are so welcoming. You are guaranteed to have a great laugh with the children and staff. There are hugs galore and the children really do touch your heart. They are so happy to have volunteers to play with and teach them new games, I have learnt a lot from the children and working as a team at Holy Family Centre.
Roisin works with the kids developing their painting technique
The winter camp was great fun. The children loved baking, crafts, and having someone to run get out and play with. Time flies, as everyday there is a new adventure to be had.
The Holy Family Centre is situated in a stunning, rural location, surrounded by the spectacular Drakensburg Mountains. There is a great atmosphere in the local town. The support from Fr. Alan and Sr. Susan in the MSC Volunteering Programme was fantastic from start to finish. Sr. Sally, the director of Holy Family, works tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly has offered endless support throughout our time here.
I would highly recommend the whole experience!” (more…)
It was an intrepid group of pilgrims who set out on the Camino last month. Fifteen relative strangers were bonded together by a desire to walk to a different rhythm of life. We left behind the hustle and bustle of Cork, Dublin, and London for a week on the Way of St. James.
It’s hard to describe the Camino. It is a somewhat ineffable experience that those who have walked it, no matter where they are from, how old they are, or whatever their faith perspective is, understand what it means. In many ways it is the perfect antidote to the rat race and its attendant stress that we have come to see as a virtue. Pilgrims here move with a new freedom, where each day they walk to the horizon with the rising sun at their backs, and when they get there they walk on to the next horizon.
Sunset on the Way
This year we had our largest group yet and everyone gelled well. The first day took us to the town of Sarria, about 110km from Santiago. It was an early pilgrim meal, followed with the group’s first attempt to get unpacked and settled down in the albergue dormitory with the lights off. It’s not for the faint hearted, but by Day 3 you could do it blindfolded There were, after all, about twenty other people in the room, some who had walked all the way from France and beyond. (more…)
One of our members was sentenced in Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday having been found guilty of a most serious offence against a young person during the early 1980s.
We sincerely hope that the outcome of the court process will assist the person against whom this offence was so wrongly perpetrated – and we sincerely apologise to this man and his family for all of the hurt caused. We fully accept and acknowledge the immense pain, harm and distress suffered by persons who have been abused as well as their families
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have rigorous child safeguarding procedures in place, which are fully implemented. The National Board for Safeguarding Children and TUSLA both audited our safeguarding systems recently.
Anyone who has been abused and wishes to make contact with us will receive our support. We also encourage people who have been abused to report the matter to the Gardaà and TUSLA. Should people wish to speak to a representative of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart on a safeguarding matter, you can contact our Designated Liaison Person, Ms Mary Tallon.
Email: safeguarding@mscmissions.ie Landline: +353 1 4906622
Mobile: +353 87 381 9515
We also ask those who were abused to consider contacting Towards Healing, an independent, confidential and free helpline providing professional support for people who have experienced sexual abuse. They can be contacted on:
Freephone: 1800 303416 (Republic of Ireland)
Freephone: 0800 0963315 (Northern Ireland and UK)
Hearing Impaired Text Line Number: 085 8022859
The helpline is open Mondays to Thursdays 11:00am – 8:00pm and Fridays 11:00am – 6:00pm.
From the 22nd to the 27th of January 2019 World Youth Day is going to take place in Panama in Central America and the MSC Vocations Team is going to be there. If you want to be part of the largest youth event on the planet read on …
What is World Youth Day?
WYD is an encounter of young people from all around the world with Pope Francis in a fun, faith filled atmosphere. It draws people from every corner of the world for an unforgettable experience. “WYD is much more than an event. It is a time of deep and spiritual renewal; its fruits benefit the whole of society” (Benedict XVI). It is an extraordinary way of sharing faith to strengthen youth in our Church. WYD is held every three years and the last one was held in Krakow (Poland) in 2016.
Great, so what’s the point?
It’s a chance to be part of the largest youth event on the planet and to meet Pope Francis
The initiator and first promoter of WYD was Saint John Paul II, who started this movement in order to enhance our personal encounter with Christ, which is life-changing. WYD also promotes peace, unity, and fraternity among people and nations, commissioning the youth as ambassadors of this message. When you gather for the World Youth Day Vigil with millions (and I do mean millions) of other young people you are reminded that you are part of something global, faith filled and amazingly joyful.
It’s about making a real difference as well, like building a multi-sensory garden
What actually happens?
WYD is a multi-day event with two main group of events: the first one is related to the “Days in the Dioceses”, during which the participants visit to different dioceses in the host country, and on this particular occasion, other Central American countries. During these days before WYD, pilgrims interact with local families (who host them) and strengthen their faith through activities with the communities in the parishes. In Krakow we built a multi-sensory garden for people with disabilities and helped to run a youth ministry programme in the local parish.
The second group is the “Main Events”, referring to the activities planned in the host city: the opening Mass, the welcoming of the pope, the way of the cross, the vigil with the Holy Father and the final Mass. It’s an opportunity to meet with other young people from all around the world. There were millions of youth at both Rio and Krakow and the atmosphere is incredible.
Anita, a youth worker and teacher from outside Athlone, shares some of her adventures with MSC Volunteering …
Games are a big part of the programme
“With our final week fast approaching I am taking the time to reflect and share my volunteering experience with you. Holy Family is an amazing place, Sr Sally and her team have created a family for everyone who comes through the gate. The welcome we received lit up my weary heart and from the moment we arrived we were flooded in hugs and loving little hands wanting to show us their home. I feel such sadness knowing I have only a short few days left with them however I hope to return. An experience like this has opened my eyes and my heart to the importance of, well put simply, love…
There is no shortage of budding artists
Each morning the children, who have been awake since very early are playing games with each other, braiding hair or crocheting among many other things. They see us coming through the quad and it’s a lively loud chorus of hellos and hugs. Each day we arranged a variety of activities and were invited on their occasional days out during the winter holidays. The children were thrilled and excited to be going out for the day, they truly enjoyed it. The morning trip up one of the mountains close by with Fr Vince was a favourite of mine. It was here we were introduced to the splendour and beautiful scenes Mother Nature has to offer and reminded that nature has so much to show us and I was silenced in my astonishment of its vastness and majesty. We are situated close to the Drakensberg Mountains. This is the first lesson I have learned from the children at Holy Family. Make the most from each moment, minute and day enjoy your time together and be grateful to have the opportunities that you are experiencing. These children are some of the strongest people I have ever met and they are so young. The way they embrace each new day, new challenge, new experience without trepidation. Its 100 % engagement in life to the best of their ability.  Those smiles will recharge you, reward you, reignite in you your childish sense of play and I began to engage with a new perspective. (more…)
Laura, part of the 2017 MSC Volunteering Team, is a primary school teacher from Co. Tipperary …
The push and pull of volunteering can be a bit tiring!
“I am on the home stretch here in Ofcolaco at the Holy Family Centre. The last few weeks have went so fast. As the time passes, I realise how important it is to cherish every moment here. To love and be with the children as much as I can.
The team here in Holy Family are friendly, dedicated and work their hardest in nurturing every child here; mentally, physically, socially and emotionally. I take my hat off to all of them and I am grateful to have worked with them.
Each day can have its ups and downs
It is hard to put it in words what the centre is like and the experiences you gain. Holy Family, just like its name, is a family and I think it is the perfect word to sum up being here. The first few weeks of being here, allowed us to be with a smaller group of children, 21 to be exact, while the other children spent time with their extended families over the winter holidays. We were able to entertain the children in all types of activities throughout each day, from sports to baking!
Now that all the children are back and school life has commenced. Our duties have changed. I organise the homework club for grade 3 and 4. I support them in their homework and give them additional work to support their learning. I also help with the crèche aged children in the evenings. It is great fun and very lively!
It’s not trespassing to move out of your comfort zone
I have learned so much from these children. In particular, to keep smiling even if you are down. Being grateful for what you have and being happy with that. I will miss all the children and staff here. I wish I could do it all over again.”
