Oct 5, 2023
The Missionaries of the Sacred would like to proudly congratulate our newly elected General Assistants to the General Team :
● Chris Chaplin, MSC (Australian) from the Province of Australia;
● Bernard Mongeau, MSC (Canadian) from the Province of the Dominican Republic;
● Simon Lumpini, MSC (Congolese) from the Union of French-speaking Africa;
● Fransiskus Bram Tulusan, MSC (Indonesian) from the Province of Indonesia
We thank these brothers of ours who have generously accepted their election.
We also thank André Claessens, Paulus Pitoy, and Humberto Henriques –the outgoing General Team members– for their generous service in the past six years.
Source: Ametur MSC on Facebook
Oct 3, 2023
Image from Vatican Media Article by Francesca Merlo published originally in Vatican News.
Pope Francis addresses the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart during their 26th General Chapter and emphasises the importance of knowing Christ through the Gospel, deepening understanding through fraternal sharing, and proclaiming His love joyfully in their mission. In his address to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of knowing Christ through the Gospel, deepening understanding through fraternal sharing, and proclaiming His love joyfully in their mission. He encouraged them to embrace compassion and tenderness in their interactions, and above all, to sustain their mission with prayer. Pope Francis’s words serve as a source of inspiration for the Missionaries as they continue their important work in the world.
Pope Francis addressed the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart during their 26th General Chapter meeting, on 2 October. The Holy Father began by acknowledging the congregation’s history, founded by Father Chevalier in 1854, and envisioning them as missionaries of God’s love.
“He thought of you from the very beginning as missionaries, committed to making God’s love known in the world in order to obtain from men a response of love.”
The Holy Father emphasized the importance of knowing the Heart of Jesus through the Gospel, referring to it as “the book ‘of the Sacred Heart.'” He urged the Missionaries to meditate on Jesus’s life, where they would discover His immense mercy, love, and compassion. Pope Francis pointed out that Jesus’s actions and teachings in the Gospel provide a profound understanding of His divine and human Heart.
“The Risen One, who makes Himself known in the breaking of the Bread, is the One who conquered death by giving life, who showed mankind the Father’s love by loving them without measure with His divine and human Heart, and who therefore knows how to speak words that make the breast burn!”
“For this powerful experience to become light for the journey, it must also pass through the enrichment of sharing. Here is the second element: deepening and understanding the Word in fraternal sharing”, said the Pope.
Pope Francis then shifted his focus to the importance of deepening understanding through fraternal sharing. He drew parallels with the disciples on the road to Emmaus who, after recognizing Jesus, shared their amazement and experiences with one another. This act of sharing joy and wonder when encountering the Lord is a practice that Pope Francis encouraged the Missionaries to adopt. “Before meeting him, the two companions discussed failures and disappointments, afterwards they rejoice at having seen the Risen One!” He also highlighted the role of sharing in Father Chevalier’s life, mentioning how he shared his fervor and dreams with fellow companions, whom he referred to as “knights of the Sacred Heart.” Sharing experiences of encountering Christ in the Word, Sacraments, and daily life is essential for fostering unity and constructive engagement within the congregation.
“And we come to the last aspect: the joyful proclamation in the mission. The disciples of Emmaus leave without delay, return to Jerusalem and tell what has happened.”
Pope Francis emphasized the significance of joyful proclamation in their mission. He commended the Missionaries for adopting the motto “‘from ego to echo,’ that is, from self to common home, to family, to community, to creation.” This shift, he explained, encompasses a commitment to serve as a common home for family, community, and creation.
“Faced with them, do not be afraid to allow yourselves to be caught up in the compassion of the Heart of Christ; as your Founder said, allow him to love through you and to manifest his mercy through your goodness.” “Please do not be afraid of tenderness! God’s style can be said in three words: closeness, compassion, and tenderness.” Embracing the compassion of Jesus’ heart The Holy Father acknowledged the numerous challenges faced by the Missionaries, such as serving the poor and migrants, and addressing injustices worldwide. He encouraged them to embrace the compassion of the Heart of Christ and allow His tenderness to shape their plans and projects.
“Please do not be afraid of tenderness! God’s style can be said in three words: closeness, compassion, and tenderness. God is like that: close, compassionate, tender. Be like this with others.”
“But this closeness, this compassion, this tenderness you will receive in dialogue with Jesus. Prayer is so important to bring this about. Without prayer, things do not work, do not go.” Image from Vatican Media The indispensable role of prayer In closing, Pope Francis highlighted the indispensable role of prayer in cultivating the qualities of closeness, compassion, and tenderness. He emphasized that prayer is essential for maintaining their mission and spiritual vitality.
“Thank you, dear brothers, for what you are and what you do! Continue your work with enthusiasm. Flee from sadness, which is the cankerworm that ruins personal and consecrated life! That sadness that brings you down, not the good sadness of repentance, that is another thing, but that daily sadness is a woodworm that ruins. I bless you from my heart. And I recommend that you pray for me, because I need it, this work is not so easy! Thank you.”
Source: All Images & Text from Vatican Media Article by Francesca Merlo published originally in Vatican News.
Sep 26, 2023
This is a very exciting time for our MSC’s as the election process takes place to elect our new Superior General and Leadership Team for the worldwide congregation.This General Chapter also happens to coincide with the jubilee year of our founder, Fr Jules Chevalier. The Chapter Assembly takes place from September 17 – October 7, 2023
The theme for the 26th MSC General Chapter is, “Did not our hearts burn within us as we walked along together!” (Luke 24:32). It reminds us that this journey started in 1854 when Fr Chevalier began to feel his heart burning for the mission. It has continued to burn for 168 years. In the last six years, this journey has flowed in synodality and interconnectedness through the General Conferences of 2019 and 2021, the accompaniments carried out, the provincial activities and meetings, as well as the international encounters undertook.
Inspired by the two disciples’ journey on the Road to Emmaus, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart “want to recognize Jesus approaching and walking with us welcoming our misunderstandings and disappointments as well as our hopes and desire to listen and to see with mercy the world, the reality and the people around us especially those most in need and excluded.”
The Chapter Hall, therefore, has been set-up to consistently invite the MSC’s to be present in the journey.
The Pre-Chapter Opening Mass was celebrated on the 17th September bringing all the Missionaries together as brothers and sisters as members of the Chevalier Family with the homily brought by Fr Abzalón Alvarado, MSC.
A General Chapter is a living process, an open life system with different stages. We come to this moment after a long journey of listening, discernment, and work, especially after the 2019 and 2021 General Conferences. This six-year process has included conversations, discernment, and listening at community and provincial levels.
During the first week, each meeting represented prayers on personal reflection and dialogues for the meaning of the Chapter and the structures of the congregation for the future.
On the fifth day, Friday 22nd September , the entire day was dedicated to Blessed MSC Martyrs of El Quiché.
Work was also done on the Reports from some of the Commissions established by the General Leadership Team according to the recommendations of the 2021 General Conference, including the Safeguarding Commission, and the international aspect of MSC formation.
The election process will begin this week to elect our new Superior General and Leadership Team for the worldwide congregation.
Images courtesy of Amateur MSC on Facebook
Aug 8, 2023
Our annual Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart has quickly come around again and it is a beautiful time of reflection and thanksgiving, when we bring our prayers and petitions before Our Lady.
Our Novena of Masses runs for nine days and will take place from Thursday, August 31st to Friday, September 8th.
All are welcome to join in this year’s Novena Masses, which will take place daily at 10.00am and 8pm at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork. Daily Novena Masses will also be available to watch live from the Sacred Heart Church, as we welcome those who cannot be with us in person.
The Sacred Heart Parish welcomes each and every one of our mission friends and parishioners, from near and far, to pray with us during this year’s Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
Be part of this year’s Novena to the Sacred Heart
At this special time of year, you can help us to help others by supporting our ongoing mission projects, and in gratitude for your contribution, we will be glad to remember your intentions at our daily Novena Masses. You can then submit your personal prayers and intentions online, and our MSC priests will remember your petitions specially throughout the course of the Novena.
The theme of year’s Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart will be “A Mother’s Care”,
Theme: “A Mother’s Care” .
Preacher: Fr. Des Farren MSC
Time 10am & 8pm Daily – 31st August to September 8th 2023.
Dates to Note:
Healing Service: Saturday 2nd September at 10 am and 3pm at the Parish Centre.
Reconciliation Service: Tuesday 5th September 10am & 8pm.
All are welcome to join us for our daily Novena Masses via our live stream.
Novena Prayer to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
Remember, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart,
the great things the Lord has done for you;
He chose you for His mother,
He wanted you close to His cross,
He gives you a share in His glory.
He listens to your prayer.
Offer Him our prayers of praise and thanksgiving.
Present our petitions to Him.
Share your petitions silently with Our Lady.
Let us live like you in the love of your Son that His Kingdom may come.
Lead all people to the source of living water that flows from His Heart,
spreading over the world hope and salvation, justice, and peace.
See our trust in you; answer our prayer.
Show yourself always, our Mother.
Amen.
For those who cannot be with us in person, you are very welcome to join us for our daily online Novena Masses on our live stream, united in spirit as we pray together as a great family of faith.
We welcome each and every one of you to this year’s Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
We hope and pray that these nine days of prayer will be a grace-filled and blessed time for all of us.
TAKE PART IN OUR 2023 OLSH NOVENA
May 9, 2023
The first ever Open Chapter of the MSC Irish Province concluded on Saturday afternoon, 6th May 2023.
Participants of the MSC Irish Province Provincial Chapter 2023
On Wednesday 3rd May, the members of the Chapter had worked on themes that had emerged from their conversations and self-selecting groups continued working on each of the these. Towards the end of the Chapter each group presented a guidepost for the Province and work will continue on these in the coming years for the good of the Province. Some of the main themes discussed were, laity, environment, healing past hurts, mapping the future for Venezuela and Southern Africa and the Missions as a whole.
On Thursday 4th May the first session was dedicated to conversation and sharing on the qualities and characteristics required for the role of Provincial Councillor. Following a time of silent prayer in the Chapter, voting for two Provincial Council members commenced in the conference room. The voting was overseen by our Superior General, Fr Absalón Alvarado MSC and the Scrutineers (Fr Alan Neville MSC, Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC and Fr Giacomo Gelardi MSC).
Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Manus Ferry MSC were elected and both accepted their election. We extend our heartiest congratulations to Fr Dave and Fr Manus and we wish them well in their role as Provincial Councillors. Fr Joe McGee MSC (Provincial-elect) will work alongside Fr David and Fr Manus to think, reflect and pray before inviting two more members to be part of the Leadership Team.
The day continued with work on the recommendations from the Statutes Commission to changes to our Provincial Statues and input from our MSC Safeguarding Manager, Ms Mary Tallon. During supper we had a celebration cake for those celebrating their birthday during the Chapter (Fr Seamus Kelly MSC, Fr Jonas Mokoena MSC, Fr Joe McGee MSC and Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC), for Fr Jimmy Mitchell MSC and Fr Michael Screene MSC who celebrated their 60th Jubilee of Ordination in February, and for Fr Giacomo Gelardi MSC and Fr Jaime Rosique MSC (Spanish Province) who were recently Ordained. Congratulations to all.
On Friday 5th May the Statutes Commission continued presenting proposed changes to the Statutes during the first session. Provincial, Fr Carl Tranter MSC, gave an update on new formation project being set up in Kenya and a possible new mission with the Indian Union for Ireland/UK. The Chapter indicated their desire to encourage the incoming Provincial Leader Team to explore this option with the Indian Union. Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, Provincial Bursar, and Mrs Mary Kelly, Finance Manager, presented a Finance Report to the Chapter and following the recommendation from our MSC Finance Advisory Group some properties in the Province were designated as Stable Patrimony of the Province.
The final session of the day was dedicated to electing two Delegates to attend the General Chapter – Fr Julius Katjipa MSC and Fr Carl Tranter MSC were elected as Delegates. The General Chapter will take place in Rome in September/October. Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC were elected as Substitute Delegates.
The final day, Saturday 6th May, involved table conversation on the following question: As you return to your particular Jerusalem, what are you taking back with you from the experience of walking together this past week? This was followed by a time of sharing.
The Steering Committee presented a Chapter Statement which was read, discussed and agreed. This statement captured all the work of the week. The minutes of the Chapter up to Friday morning were approved. It was agreed that the Provincial Council will finalise the minutes.
Handover to the new Provincial
Fr Carl Tranter MSC, Provincial, proposed to the Chapter that Fr Joe McGee MSC take over as Provincial on 1st August 2023. Fr Carl will finish his term as Provincial on 31st July. This was approved unanimously.
The work of the Chapter concluded with final words from Fr Carl. He said it has been a historic week as we had our first ever Open Chapter. It had gathered nearly half of the Province together in conversation and sharing. He is deeply thankful for the sense of brotherhood in their time together which has been strengthened. We have been accompanied by the Emmaus scripture. It has given us anchor points to hold, contain us and invite us to move forward and the Lord will be with us on our journey. He added that we have seen ourselves walking and talking honestly about all that has been happening in our personal lives, community life and the life of the Province and there have been beautiful and honest conversations throughout the Chapter week. We have experienced Christ joining us and sharing with us. We have encountered him in one another, in meeting some confreres for the first time, in our prayer, worship, sharing and struggles. He expressed his gratitude to Fr Absalón, Superior General, for his accompaniment during the Chapter week. As we come to the end of the Chapter we are ready for the Return to Jerusalem. We return to our place and hopefully discover something new about it. Return with the fruits of our journey and the desire to continue conversations, to engage deeply and live our MSC commitment and brotherhood more fully. It has been a rich week. Please God we return changed and wishing to grow.
Fr Carl concluded by thanking everyone for their deeply engaged presence this week and he expressed his thanks to all those involved in preparing for the Chapter and those working during the Chapter week: The Chapter Preparatory Commission, Finance Team, Safeguarding Manager, Fr Alan Whelan (Archivist), the Sound Engineers, Steering Committee, Scrutineers, Translator, Secretary to the Chapter (Paula Ryan-Kavanagh) for organising the logistics and being part of the preparatory commission. The Facilitator (Frances Heery) was thanked for walking with us and guiding us. Fr Carl again expressed his thanks to Fr Absalón for being with us during the Chapter week. It had been a wonderful way to accompany us, listening really deeply to who and how we are, our struggles etc. Fr Carl presented Fr Absalón with a token of appreciation. Fr Absalón replied by thanking everyone for the opportunity to be with them for the week.
Fr Joe McGee (Provincial-elect) then addressed the Chapter and he thanked Fr Carl on behalf of everyone for his work during the last six years. He thanked him for coming back among us and for his leadership. Fr Joe also thanked the members of Fr Carl’s team individually for all the work they have done for the Province for the last six years (Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Fr Tony Nolan MSC, Fr Manus Ferry MSC and he especially remembered Fr Mike Serrage MSC RIP).
The Chapter concluded with Eucharist led by Fr Joe McGee MSC, Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Manus Ferry MSC (members of the incoming Provincial Leadership Team).
Fr Absalón MSC presented Fr Carl Tranter MSC, Fr Joe McGee MSC and Fr Peter Ng’ang’a MSC with symbols from India representing hope for the mission ahead.
Fr Carl Tranter MSC as President of the Chapter then blows out the Chapter Candle to conclude the Chapter week.
“Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road”
Luke 24:32
May 4, 2023
Fr David Nixon MSC, Fr Joe McGee MSC and Fr Manus Ferry MSC
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Fr David Nixon MSC and Fr Manus Ferry MSC on their election to the incoming Provincial Leadership Team at our Provincial Chapter, and we wish them all the best for their future as they embark on their journey, pictured here with Fr Joe McGee MSC who is the incoming Provincial.
