Mar 21, 2024
It is with glad hearts that we received recent news from our friend Sr Jenny Christie FDNSC, International Development Officer for the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, with an update from the OLSH Global Outreach Projects that are blessed with such generous support from our mission friends here in the Irish Province.
Educating children in Burkina Faso
In our 2023 World Projects Appeal, the Sisters asked for help in funding the development of classrooms at their school in Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso, West Africa. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the Sisters in Ouagadougou have been working in the region since 2007 to help young children who would otherwise have no prospects of education and advancement. The demand for places at the school is overwhelming, and the Sisters strive to accommodate as many children as possible, which has led to severe issues with overcrowding in recent years.
Thanks to the wonderful response to our 2023 appeal, which raised funds to create separate classrooms in the existing school space, the work has already been completed to great effect. Teachers and students now have the use of four new classrooms, giving the children a safe, comfortable space to learn and grow together.
Caring for the elderly in Papua New Guinea
Sr Jenny also shared photos from her recent visit to Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea, where funds raised by our 2021 World Projects Appeal funded a laundry area in the Hartzer Centre, an aged-care facility for elderly OLSH Sisters and MSC missionary priests. Prior to the installation of the laundry room, the nurses at the centre had to carry the residents’ dirty laundry through the dining room at the adjacent convent in order to reach the communal washing area, a significant hygiene issue throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and in subsequent years.
Now, the centre has its own dedicated laundry area, with a drying spot outside to hang clothes, and indoor lines to dry washing in rainy weather. “The Sisters are deeply appreciative of the difference this has made to their lives,” writes Sr Jenny. “Sincere thanks once again to the very generous donors.”
With thanks to Sr Jenny for sharing these very welcome updates with us, and to you, our mission friends, for making this work possible through your ongoing support and friendship. Every day, your compassion is touching lives all over the world, in ways that you can’t imagine. On behalf of our OLSH Sisters and MSC missionaries everywhere, we thank you, sincerely, for your kindness. We keep the OLSH communities of Ouagadougou and Port Moresby in our prayers as they continue in their dedicated work, with gratitude for the encouragement of our extended Sacred Heart family.
IF YOU CAN,
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR OLSH SISTERS IN THEIR GLOBAL OUTREACH
Mar 14, 2024
Recent months have seen great activity at Centro Faustino Villanueva, the MSC-run vocational centre located in the rural region of San Agustín, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Situated in an extremely remote area more than eight hours’ drive from Guatemala City, the centre was founded by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1984 to bring opportunities for progression to adults from disadvantaged communities, and it has since grown into a large school for children that come from impoverished backgrounds or vulnerable family circumstances.
The community at the centre saw 2023 out in style with a wonderful graduation ceremony in November, celebrating students who had completed a two-year course in Business Administration.
A beautiful ceremony heralded a new year and new beginnings for students in January, with the Facebook page for Centro Faustino Villanueva sharing a collection of pictures with the caption, “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.
February brought a celebration of love in all its forms, with two students elected “Romeo and Juliet”, and teachers and staff joining in with the exchange of gifts in appreciation of friendship.
At the end of the month, the Villanueva community marked a special day honouring their country and culture, celebrating their language and showcasing traditional clothing and foods.
With the centre marking 40 years of service in 2024, this very special anniversary year is already off to a flying start! We look forward to seeing more great things from the staff and students at Centro Faustino Villanueva, and, as ever, we keep the community there in our prayers as they continue in their remarkable efforts to create new opportunities for employment and empowerment for young people in need.
Images via the Facebook page for Centro Faustino Villanueva.
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE SUPPORT OUR GLOBAL MISSIONS
Mar 6, 2024
As we journey together towards Holy Week and Easter, we are united in prayer with our MSC communities all over the world – though separated by miles, we remain connected in prayer on our Lenten progress. The images below, shared by our MSC mission in Mozambique, show the beautiful ceremony led by Fr José Eduardo Paixão MSC to celebrate the first Sunday of Lent in the community of St Antonio de Metuge.
Our MSC mission in Mozambique marks its sixth anniversary this month, having originally been established in 2018 in what is a very poor part of Mozambique. Serving the Diocese of Pemba, the mission is continuously adapting to serve the many and changing needs of the vulnerable and displaced, from emergency response to natural disasters, to the brutal impact of violence and political unrest. In a volatile climate, our MSC community is working to adapt and act responsively in accordance with current needs.
The Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have a well-established relationship with our Mozambique mission, as we work to support them in their ongoing ministry. Thanks to the friendship and compassion of our mission friends and benefactors here at home, we have been able to bring about positive change to disadvantaged communities made up of thousands of people across the Diocese of Pemba. Civil war in the region has brought about huge hardship, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced from their homes and their lives since 2017, and many others killed or reported missing. In recent years, we have been working alongside Fr José to raise funds to support those in real and urgent need, helping to provide essential aid and brighter prospects in a region where hope is in short supply.
Though local issues persist, the people of Pemba are not alone, and throughout it all, the inestimable spirit of faith, hope, and perseverance prevails at the heart of our Mozambique mission. The enduring power of unity and community shines through in these wonderful pictures of their Lenten celebrations, and we ask that you please join us in keeping our friends and brothers in Mozambique in your prayers this Lenten season as they continue to share the message of God’s love in the most challenging circumstances.
Images via the Facebook page for MSC Mozambique, with credit to Abudo Manara.
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Feb 28, 2024
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, a day to celebrate the strength and love of the wonderful women who raised us. It might be the case that you don’t go a day without seeing your mum, or maybe you talk on the phone every week. Perhaps your time with your mother is a precious memory now, to be held dear. It may be that you’re showing your gratitude for a grandmother, an aunt, or a treasured friend or another mother figure. However you celebrate, Mother’s Day is a time to stop and remember a love like no other.
This year, Mother’s Day falls on Sunday, March 10th
– and you can make it a day to remember with a thoughtful card, gift, or keepsake
from our Mother’s Day range.
Our special Mother’s Day candle features a poem to commemorate a beloved mother, celebrating the women who light up our lives with unconditional love.
A selection of delightful angel statues inscribed with affectionate messages are a special way to thank you own personal guardian angel on earth!
The traditional Madonna and Child image honours maternal love in its purest form. With a white resin holy water font and a hand-painted statue to choose from, these are timeless gifts to celebrate a mother’s love.
Our beautifully designed Mother’s Day cards all include a thoughtful Prayer for my Mother, and each one includes remembrance in a special Triduum of Masses, which will take place this year from Saturday, March 9th to Monday, March 11th at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road in Cork. Those enrolled are very welcome to join us in prayer and watch the daily Mother’s Day Masses on our live stream. This is also an especially lovely way to remember those mothers who are no longer with us, and whose memories are carried in our hearts always.
A perpetual enrolment in our Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue book and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart prayer’s and Masses is also a beautiful way to honor our beloved Mother’s who are in Heaven before us.
Remember, when you choose from our range of Mother’s Day cards and gifts, you’re not just making a special gesture for your mother, but you’re also reaching out to help vulnerable mothers and their families all over the world. Each and every order we receive helps our MSCs to continue to bring the gift of hope to families in need across the globe – from mothers doing their best to care for the children with very little, to young children who have no mothers at all. On a day where we celebrate a mother’s love, you in turn are helping us to bring warmth, love, and friendship to the homes of young families where hope is in short supply. Thank you for your part in spreading kindness this Mother’s Day!
BROWSE OUR MOTHER’S DAY RANGE
Feb 27, 2024
OLSH Global Outreach
MSCs from all over the world continue to work in partnership with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH), providing help and support to the poor and vulnerable on our shared mission: “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved.”
OLSH ministry in South Africa
The Congregation of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart work together at the Holy Family Care Centre in Limpopo, South Africa, where they provide residential care for orphans and sick and vulnerable children.
At the Holy Family Care Centre, a community of Sisters, volunteers, and local staff care for between 75 and 80 children. Many of these children are living with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDs, TB, and other critical conditions. The children are mostly orphaned, and all are vulnerable. The community here work closely with the Department of Social Development to provide the best possible opportunities for the children in their care.
At the moment, the boys’ dormitory accommodates 23 children and two staff members. It is very crowded, with no space between the beds. With your help, the Sisters would like to buy new bed linen and mattresses, as most of the current ones are now 15 years old, and to replace some of the beds with bunk beds to give the children who sleep here more space.
The Holy Family Sisters are currently working to raise a total of €6,000
to provide more space in the dormitory for boys aged 2 to 10 years.
The onsite crèche at the Holy Family Centre helps the Sisters, along with their volunteers, to care for up to 25 children. To cater for the changing requirements of the youths in their care, they would like to build an extra toilet block so that the children can be toilet trained on low junior toilets suited to their needs. Unfortunately, due to rising costs, the Sisters need your help to fund the construction and fitting of this toilet block.
€4,900 will make a great difference in the Sisters’ ability to provide comfortable facilities
for the toddlers in their care.
In South Africa, “load shedding” is an unfortunate and frequent aspect of daily life, when the electricity in the Care Centre has to be cut. The Centre has its own back up generator, but this is only used when it is vital, as the cost of diesel continues to increase. The Centre would like to install solar panels to power their bore water well and sewerage pumps. The solar panels would ensure savings on power, which in turn will help reduce costs and prevent major systems from failing.
€9,900 will enable the Holy Family community to pay for solar panels to be installed,
including batteries and labour.
“The Holy Family Centre hopes to help each child to regain their childhood. We aim to address their physical, emotional, psychological, educational, and spiritual needs. Our main focus is to create an environment where they feel safe, loved, happy, and to extend them kindness and guidance.”
“Our Vision” ~ OLSH Sisters, South Africa
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR OLSH SISTERS IN THEIR GLOBAL OUTREACH
OLSH outreach in Brazil
In a Eldorado, a small city in Brazil, lives Sr Bruna. Here, she administers to the spiritual needs of the local community with the help of Eucharistic ministers. Together, they visit members of the parish who cannot attend Mass due infirmity or illness, bringing Holy Communion to those in need and providing spiritual solace to people who are often alone.
€900 will enable Sr Bruna FDNSC to purchase 12 pyx cases to help bring the Holy Eucharist
to sick, elderly, and infirm parishioners who cannot attend Mass.
The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in San Paulo, Brazil, run a special programme for senior parishioners. The Sisters here have reached out to the seniors in the community to give them access to computer classes, a local choir, and other activities such as yoga and crafts for the aged. These workshops are free and are held twice a week. The meeting place for the senior groups is in great need of renovation, including a new roof and the repair of the floors. The newly renovated roof will also capture rain water, which can then be used sustainably in the toilets and gardens.
€16,000 will provide immeasurable help to the Sisters as they continue to provide a place for the seniors of the parish to gather for friendship and personal development.
Sr Maria Jose is a teacher in San Paulo, Brazil, who works with a youth group who meet weekly. She is appealing for our help in raising funds to purchase some musical instruments, enabling local youths to learn new skills individually and as a group, and to develop their musical talents. Sr Maria Jose would like to buy a keyboard, an electric guitar, a cajon, and a ukulele, to bring the youth group together in harmony and in prayer.
€1,000 will buy musical instruments to encourage unity and personal growth
for members of the youth group.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR OLSH SISTERS IN THEIR GLOBAL OUTREACH
OLSH ministering across Africa
The OLSH Sisters have a nursery school and primary school in Zagtouli, Burkina Faso, where they provide two snacks and a meal each day for the pupils. In this way, they guarantee that vulnerable children receive muchneeded nourishment. The Sisters would now like to build a dining room, so the children can eat in comfort, and will no longer need to eat in their classrooms or outside.
€20,000 will enable the Sisters to build a dining room for the children attending the school.
The Sisters also minister in the region of Fada N’Gourma in Burkina Faso, where they have been caring for the local community since 2013. The population of this town is 34,000, with 40% of the people living below the poverty line. Taking into consideration the needs of the people of this area, the Sisters have recently managed to acquire some land and hope to build three classrooms on this site. With your support, they can help local children and their families to look forward, with hope, to a better future.
€20,000 will provide the funds needed to start building three classrooms on the new site.
“To the wonderful benefactors in the Irish Province, we thank you sincerely for the assistance you give to us. It is very much appreciated! We remember you in prayer, with deep gratitude.”
~ Sr Jenny Christie FDNSC
International Development Officer for the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR OLSH SISTERS IN THEIR GLOBAL OUTREACH
Feb 27, 2024
Empowering communities in India
For almost 40 years, MSCs in India have provided practical, spiritual, medical, and educational aid to communities in real need of help and encouragement. Today, we continue in our ministry as we adapt to the specific needs of changing times.
MSCs in Therkukalidaikuruchi Village in the Tirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu are working to raise funds to establish a new environmentally sustainable agricultural programme that will preserve and encourage the local ecosystem, while also providing opportunities for employment in the rural population. With approximately 30 acres of land devoted to the fulfilment of the project, the MSC Indian Union is working to develop a model farm that cultivates crops and native trees, while also rearing cattle and poultry, with the aim of “contributing to both environmental conservation and economic empowerment”.
The project will see 1,000 trees planted on the farm, promoting biodiversity and combating deforestation. A variety of crops and fruit-bearing trees will be cultivated alongside the farming of cattle and poultry, while a dedicated MSC team will also provide an educational programme for the local community, covering modern agricultural techniques, marketing strategies, and sustainable practices. The land will also serve as a spiritual sanctuary, “inviting people to connect with nature and experience its transformative power”.
The MSC Indian Union are working to raise a total of €35,300 for the establishment and development of their agricultural programme in Therkukalidaikuruchi Village. This budget includes expenses for tree planting, agricultural infrastructure, livestock management, educational programmes, and the development of a spiritual sanctuary for the local community.
€11,765 will cover the cost of planting 1,000 native trees.
€11,765 will be spent on the cultivation of the land, including the installation of an irrigation system,
planting and caring for crops, developing the land, and paying for essential labour.
€10,594 will purchase cattle and poultry,
along with the necessary equipment, feed, and labour for rearing.
€588 will be spent on educational initiatives and workshops.
€588 will be spent on the development and promotion of a spiritual sanctuary on the land,
including workshops and development programmes.
CAN YOU HELP US TO CHANGE LIVES IN INDIA?
Sustainable living in rural India
In his encyclical, Laudato Si’, Pope Francis calls for a harmonious relationship between humankind and the world around us, highlighting the inevitable connectedness between environmental, social, and economic issues. The new agricultural programme proposed by the Indian Union of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart will address the pressing needs of local communities in deeply impoverished villages, providing job opportunities, promoting sustainability, and enhancing education and quality of life for rural families.
With your help, MSCs in Tamil Nadu can work to encourage self-sufficiency and community empowerment, while also answering the global call for environmental stewardship.
“Our proposed project will contribute to both environmental conservation and economic empowerment… addressing the needs of the local community while fostering environmental stewardship. By supporting this project, the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart will play a pivotal role in fostering environmental sustainability, rural development, and community empowerment in the MSC Indian Union. Thank you for your support – we look forward to working together to bring about positive change.”
~ Fr Thatheus Darwin MSC
Indian Union Superior
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY IN INDIA
