Jul 27, 2026
This year, we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of the MSC Missions Office on the Western Road, Cork, and as part of our anniversary commemorations, we’re looking back on old issues of our newsletter, the MSC Message, on a walk together down Memory Lane.
1995 saw the beginning of the Russian Mission for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and throughout the end of 1995 and early 1996, the MSC Message was full of fascinating reports from Fr Con, Fr Kevin, and Fr Michael in Moscow.
A new mission begins… (Autumn 1995)
Our three MSC priests, who are now in Russia, wish to thank you for your most generous support and for the huge encouragement given to them.
On August 5th, our Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork, was packed and 35 priests concelebrated at the specially arranged Mass of Missioning our three MSC priests in preparation of starting a new Mission in Russia.
Our Provincial Fr. Ciarán MacCárthaigh, MSC, who gave the homily at the mass and who also gave the Missioning Ceremony, expressed delight that the MSC were now starting a Mission in Russia.
“The sending of Fr. Michael, Fr. Connie and Fr. Kevin to serve the needs of the Russian Church will strengthen our bond of Communion with the local Church in Russia to which they are going, and the prayers we offer in this celebration are an expression of that Communion,” said Fr. Ciarán.
Each of the Missioners were called by name, prayed with, and given a Mission Cross with the words ‘Receive the sign of Christ’s Love and of the Mission for which the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart has chosen you’.
In taking on this Mission, we are extending prayer into action. And despite the huge demand on existing numbers within the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we are very conscious indeed that only 65 priests are in all of Moscow and European Russia and many of them are old.
The Catholic population needs help and guidance. Some young people have never seen a priest and are starved of any knowledge of Christ and His rich Gospel.
Pictured here after the Missioning Mass, the Missionaries with our Father General and Father Provincial. L to R: Fr. Connie Doherty MSC, The Superior General Fr. Michael Curran MSC, Fr. Michael Screene MSC, Fr. Ciarán MacCárthaigh MSC & Fr. Kevin Blade MSC.
Russia…Early Surprises! (Early 1996)
Dear Friends,
Nature made us very welcome in Moscow, in a beautiful autumn, full of colour and warmth. Red, yellow, green and gold trees greet us everywhere. The parks are still full of people, walking about or gathered around tables, playing or watching chess.
Travel surprises us. We, like everyone else, spend much time travelling. There is a superb system of buses, trolley buses, and metro. And they are always busy! Everyone seems to be moving. Fr. Con Doherty (from Thurles) thinks its “a permanent Munster Final”.
Part of the travel relates to shopping. It is a struggle to get the essentials. The many new markets around the city attract people and they all travel with their shopping bags. Come prepared as you may spot some item and it may not be there tomorrow. Food is dear but reasonably available this autumn. A few superstores have a fair range of products but are expensive. Fr. Kevin Blade has located shops that meet our essential needs.
There is a lot of activity around the city, cleaning, repair work, etc. It suggests new hope about the economy.
In spite of our study of Russian, we still feel very cut off because of our language difficulties. Rarely do we hear English, but at a Sunday Mass recently, a woman greeted me, “Dia is Muire dhuit. Tá fáilte rómhat anseo.” Well she might – all the way from Ring, Dungarvan.
We wish to thank you all for your good wishes and support for our New Mission.
God Bless you,
Fr. Michael Screene MSC.
Frs. Con Doherty, Kevin Blade & Michael Screene. In the background, one of the Kremlin chapels.
Russia (Summer 1996)
Early impressions
Everything seemed so strange as we made our way from Shermetievo Airport. Many thoughts flashed through our minds – hopes, fears, aspirations, concerns. As we turned off the main road and headed towards a rather stern and uninviting four-storey building, semi secluded by trees, and in the dark of night, we wondered what was in store. Heavy laden with luggage and tired from the journey and long airport delays.
Out and about
Very soon we began to move out and about and explore our new surroundings. One can see hundreds of people, young and old, selling their wares, from toothpaste (including the Irish Fiacla) to pet cats. Vegetable markets are also visible at every street corner. Our language inadequacy has brought us some funny moments.
We enjoyed the beauty and colour of an extended autumn. The parks are a big feature of Russian life and a contrast to the stern look of many of its buildings. In the wooded parks, with their many pathways, many stroll and chat, with dogs and kids, and, before the snow arrived, many could be seen deep in concentration around chess tables.
Pastoral Scene
Our main apostolate this year is learning Russian and we are attending classes. Recently, we attended our first pastoral council meeting. The First day was a retreat day. The second, which was attended by the Archbishop, was tough going due to our spartan Russian and two three-hour sessions. With church structures only evolving and resources very limited, one sensed the struggle facing the emerging and re-emerging Church, catechetically, socially, ecumenically, etc. We also had the opportunity to meet priests, lay people and sisters working here.
A Mafia Man?
A funny incident must be related. On our way to the vegetable market, we stopped at an Exchange Kiosk. On entering, we were approached by a 40 year old man in a leather jacket, who talked in rapid Russian. Thinking that we recognised we were foreigners and he was offering his services to change our money at the desk for us for a small tip, we politely thanked him and said we were OK. Anyway, the exchange was closed and he again approached us on the way out. He mentioned money. I thought he was looking for the price of a smoke and asking Fr. Kevin for change, gave it to him. Fr. Kevin had a good laugh. “He’s a Mafia Man,” he said, “and is asking to change your dollars black-market style. I have seen him in town.” Fancy giving charity to a banker – a Mafia banker. So there you are…
Red Square
We have been to Red Square and visited the Kremlin and all its Cathedrals. Here we saw the very ornate interior of Moscow’s principal Orthodox Church, with its many and beautiful icons, putting one in touch at once with centuries of history and the Lord of that history.
Moscow growing on us
When asked how we liked Moscow, Fr. Kevin put it well when he said, “It would grow on you.” And so it would! This is what we want to happen, to get to know people and the life and culture around us and get rooted here.
“Must sign off here as we are ‘Russin’ to catch the post!” writes Fr. Con Doherty, “but you, our benefactors, can be assured of a very special place in all our prayers here in the East.”
Jul 23, 2026
We are glad to share this wonderful video message from the MSC Centre for the Poor in the Philippines, where MSCs and the local community work together in harmony with the world around them to build a more positive future for poor and struggling families.
In a region all-too-often ravaged by soaring temperatures and natural disasters, the MSC Centre for the Poor are a lifeline for families who face countless challenges in their daily lives. This video gives us a snapshot of just some of the extraordinary work done by the MSC Centre for the Poor and their extended community.
Click here to watch the full video from the Philippines.
“Your heart can reach the Philippines today.”
In every generation, there are people who choose to love beyond borders. They are called the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, a Catholic missionary congregation founded more than 170 years ago, serving the poorest and most vulnerable across the world. In the Philippines, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart carry a mission rooted in one belief: that God’s love must be felt, not just preached. This mission is carried forward through the MSC Centre for the Poor, dedicated to transforming compassion into concentre action.
Across the Philippines, countless families face hardship every day, from natural disasters, to lack of clean water, to children struggling to stay in school. For them, hope often arrives quietly, through clean drinking water, through education, through relief during moments of crisis. Your donation makes this possible, because when you give, you are not just donating money – you are rebuilding homes after typhoons, providing safe water to entire communities, supporting education for disadvantaged youth, and restoring dignity to families who feel forgotten. The MSC Centre for the Poor ensures that every gift is used with care, transparency, and accountability, working directly with communities, parishes, and mission partners. This is not charity from a distance; this is mission with heart. Your generosity becomes a lifeline, your compassion becomes a future, your faith becomes action. No matter where you are in the world, your heart can reach the Philippines today.
Click here to watch the full video from the Philippines.
Find out more about how we’re helping to promote sustainability in the Philippines this summer.
Jul 16, 2026
Relief efforts in Venezuela are ongoing in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of Wednesday, July 24th. The damage has been catastrophic, with the tragic loss of hundreds of lives as well as the destruction of homes and livelihoods across the city.
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC has been sending regular updates from Caracas, where he is working alongside Fr John Jennings MSC and a whole team of volunteers and relief workers to provide crucial support to those impacted by the earthquakes. Most recently, Br Deiby sent photos and videos from the shelters and support centres that have been helping thousands of people.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have also been working closely with Caritas Venezuela, providing funding to help with the ongoing relief aid. In a message to Irish Provincial Superior Fr Joe McGee MSC, Monsignor José Luis Azuaje Ayala, Archbishop of Maracaibo and Head of Caritas Venezuela, sends his gratitude to the Irish Province of the MSC for the generous support of our benefactors here.
Monsignor José Luis Azuaje Ayala, Archbishop of Maracaibo and Head of Caritas Venezuela (Image via www.caritasvenezuela.org)
Dear Fr Joe, warm greetings from Maracaibo.
I wish to express my gratitude on behalf of the people of Maracaibo, who are trying to reach out to the victims of our recent earthquakes. We are very grateful to the Irish Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and to the good people in Ireland, your benefactors, who have provided badly needed funds to help with our relief effort.
We are in full emergency mode at this time. We will keep in touch and let you know later how we have put your funds to good use.
Once again, I thank you most sincerely for the generosity of the Missionaries of the Sacred and their benefactors. May God reward you, and please continue to pray for the people of Venezuela.
Jul 16, 2026
In May, Fr Marcelo Campoverde MSC celebrated a very special Mother’s Day with indigenous communities in Ecuador.
“May was a busy month with various activities and celebrations, but I am especially happy to celebrate Mother’s Day with the local community,” Fr Marcelo writes.
The photos sent by Fr Marcelo show a wonderfully special day, with beautiful cakes shared to celebrate the women of the community.
Thanks to the support of our mission friends and benefactors here at home, we have been able to provide great help in recent years to Fr Marcelo and several indigenous communities in Ecuador. We are very grateful for your ongoing support and friendship as we work to help these communities in real and pressing need.
“We greatly appreciate the help so often provided by the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and I would like to convey the gratitude of the parish families from afar,” Fr Marcelo says.
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE SUPPORT OUR GLOBAL MISSION PROJECTS
Jul 7, 2026
Relief efforts in Venezuela are continuing in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of Wednesday, July 24th. With two earthquakes over a magnitude of 7 hitting within a minute of each other, severe damages have been wreaked throughout the city of Carcas, with homes and livelihoods destroyed, and hundreds of lives lost.
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC sends regular updates from Caracas, where he is working alongside Fr John Jennings MSC and a whole team of volunteers and relief workers to provide crucial support to those impacted by the earthquakes.
Emergency shelters
In an update on Friday, July 3rd, Br Deiby wrote that he has been visiting the various shelters that are currently in place, with Monsignor José Manuel León, auxiliary bishop of Caracas, and Fr Gerardo Guillén. These temporary shelters have been set up in areas such as car parks and sports courts, to provide urgent care and emergency relief to affected communities.
“The majority of those sheltered in these temporary locations have been forced to leave their homes out of fear of aftershocks or major structural damage,” Br Deiby writes. “These families remain outdoors as a preventive measure, waiting for the authorities to carry out the necessary technical inspections to verify if their homes are fit and safe for their return.”
Two official shelter facilities have been set up within the Santa Cruz parish, which will house about 800 people from La Guaira State who have tragically lost everything. “They have lost their homes, their belongings, and, in many cases, family members, leaving them in a situation of total vulnerability,” Br Deiby explains.
“Support teams are visiting shelters daily, distributing basic supplies, food, and the necessary assistance to meet their day-to-day needs in the midst of this crisis.”
A letter from Br Deiby
In a letter to Irish Provincial Superior Fr Joe McGee MSC, dated Monday, July 6th, Br Deiby sent our most recent update.
“I am writing to inform you that, so far, the Parish of the Holy Cross and our support centre continue to provide direct aid to almost 2000 people. We are visiting the parking lots and designated shelter areas daily, monitoring for safety, as well as the three large refuge camps already set up.
Currently, we have begun a vital programme of humanitarian, spiritual, and psychological support. We have several people on board specialising in these different areas, and, from July 12th to August 3rd, we will be supported by between five and six seminarians from the archdiocese in recreational and sacramental activities together with neighbouring parishes and auxiliary bishops. We also continue to support those centres outside our jurisdiction with medicines, mattresses, and clothing, working alongside the Archdiocese and Caritas to help those that we can.
We thank God that people of goodwill and great faith continue to support with us food, medicines, medical supplies, and everything they have within their reach. We are very grateful for the compassion and generosity of Sacred Heart benefactors who are helping us through the Mission Office in the Irish Province also. Today, I will be taking part in a meeting of the emergency committee of the Archdiocese of Caracas to coordinate new strategies. We greatly appreciate your financial support and prayers, as this process of relocation and recovery will last for several months.
God bless you always. We will continue to keep in touch.”
Grateful for generous hearts
Br Deiby has also sent a video update, to give us a short glimpse into how the aid work is progressing. Please see below for an English transcript of the video commentary.
On the morning of Thursday, July 2nd, the Auxiliary Bishop Elect of Caracas José Manuel Leon, together with the Vicar for Pastoral Ministry, Fr Ricardo, and Bro Deiby Fuenmayor MSC, made a pastoral visit to the refugees in the eastern part of Caracas to accompany, console and understand the reality of the difficulties being faced by each community in the wake of the earthquake.
Bishop José: This is a situation which certainly merits our attention, meeting our brothers and sisters who have been deeply affected and those who need our support and help.
Br Deiby: We are here to support those who have been so affected by this terrible earthquake. The people living here, have not lost their lives as a result of the quake, thank God, but they have lost their homes. We have visited about a thousand or so people, assessing the situation and bringing them the help that you have been supplying with such generous hearts.
We have also been in Pro Patria this morning. There is a team of a hundred or more people providing support at the shopping centre there, and there is also a refuge centre which has already welcomed about 100 people from La Guaira and expects to welcome about another 300 tomorrow and the day after.
Here in this zone, there are about 500 people who are all supporting each other, and receiving help from the Archdiocese support teams.
Bishop José: What we are trying to do is reconstruct lives with faith, hope, and love. We are beginning the reconstruction with faith, because what remains now is such a huge challenge. The attention that we can give to these brothers and sisters, our love and care, is so important, not only in a practical and material way, but also in a spiritual way, making them part of our family, part of ourselves… This is the challenge we are embracing as an Archdiocese. May God bless each and everyone.
Jul 7, 2026
Fr Alan Neville MSC has been ministering in South Sudan since 2020. One of the projects he works closely with is the Mary Immaculate Hospital in Mapourdit, where founder Bro. Rosario works closely with the Daughters of the Lady of the Sacred Heart to care for patients in need. This summer, we’re raising funds to help the team at the hospital – you can find out more about the workings of the hospital, and some of its patients, here.
Today, Fr Alan shares news of a recent visit to the hospital.
I’m just back from Mary Immaculate Hospital in Mapourdit. We arrived earlier today. It’s a bit of a long journey, as the road isn’t great. The hospital was established 25 years ago by a team led by a Comboni Brother, Br. Rosario, who is also a surgeon. They are still working there today, looking after a catchment area of 200,000 people with just 134 beds and an outpatient department. Needless to say, it’s a busy place.
Bro. Rosario, founder of Mary Immaculate Hospital, in Mapourdit, South Sudan, receiving supplies.
The care people receive there is really good, and the team are doing excellent work. They’re providing solid professional health care. They have access to medication that other places do not because they are well-organised, and people know that whatever they provide will go directly to those who need it most.
The outpatients’ registration area at Mary Immaculate Hospital in Mapourdit, South Sudan.
However, what really struck me today was that one of the wards we went into was a paediatric chemotherapy ward. A doctor who’s volunteering from Central Europe has painted dolphins on the wall. Most of the buildings here can be pretty dark, as electricity is limited for essential services, like surgery or the laboratory. However, she really went out of her way after what must have been a very busy week, last Sunday, to take time to go painting. The fact that we’re in a landlocked country and no one here really knows what dolphins are doesn’t matter. It has given the place a little extra special something.
Bro. Rosario visits the Paediatric Oncology Ward, with its newly painted undersea murals.
The patients in the ward have come from all around Lakes State. They are young and are suffering from a particular type of cancer called Burkitt’s lymphoma, named after the Irish doctor from Enniskillen who first described the disease during his work in Africa in 1958. It is one of the fastest-growing cancers and is fatal without treatment. What is more, it is really a cancer of poverty, as young people who have suffered malaria become highly susceptible, a regular occurrence here in South Sudan. Over the course of three months, these children are given chemotherapy treatment, with a success rate of 80%. During that time, a family member must stay with them, and they really must make sacrifices to be there.
Akol has been receiving treatment for Burkitt’s Lymphoma over the past few months. Thankfully, her treatment has been a great success.
I’m trying to think of how to explain the ministry, care, work that goes on there. The way that best describes it is that it’s an absolute good. In our world today, we’ve lots of shades of grey. It’s very difficult to find something that you think is just absolutely beautiful and perfect. But this ward, where the Comboni Brothers and Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Sisters are working with laypeople to provide care for these children, is an absolute good. It really is. Just to see it lifts your heart. They provide everything free of charge. The people there couldn’t afford it anyway, but they’re providing essential lifesaving care for children with cancer who otherwise wouldn’t have a prayer. I just couldn’t say enough for the people working in Mapourdit, the parents who were there, and especially the children. The children are just amazing. They’re resilient. They’re beautiful. They’re just fantastic.
So I just thought I’d share this with you, having come back from it today. It’s just a point where heaven meets earth in a small ward in the centre of South Sudan, in a room that may be a little bit dark, but now has dolphins on the wall.
Bol is one of the current patients in the Paediatric Oncology Ward.
Nhialic ke yin,
Fr. Alan
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Read more from Fr Alan’s missionary journey in South Sudan:
