facebook

A walk down Memory Lane… June 2026

Jun 30, 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.

Jomo’s Story

In the Summer 2013 edition of the MSC Message, we shared a letter from Jomo Kgapane Simango, who was being cared for at Tshwaranang Hospice, located close to Ivory Park in South Africa, following a HIV diagnosis. The care he received here allowed Jomo to reclaim his life, and go on to have a family and a successful job.

 

For sure I would have died!

I was 24 years old when I discovered I was HIV positive. One morning I was preparing for work, I felt dizzy, cold and very weak. When I got to the butchery my boss could see that I was not right and called an ambulance. They took me to the hospital and said I was dehydrated. They put drips in me and I felt better. The following week the same thing happened and I was back in hospital again. The doctor advised me to get tested for HIV.

I ignored his advice but weeks later the illness came back even worse, I could not take the pain and terrible diarrhea. This time I had the sense to go and get tested. The result came back positive and very shortly I started on the Anti Retro Viral tablets.

After some months I felt so good I forgot I was HIV positive and I stopped taking the tablets. It was not long before I was in hospital again. I was so weak I couldn’t even walk. I was there for almost a year but did not seem to be improving and the nurses seemed uncaring. So I discharged myself. I was foolish as I was in no condition to look after myself and I struggled with the simplest of tasks. I could not even get to a toilet even if I had one.

I had the help of a Home Based Care Giver coming to visit. She told me about Tshwaranang Hospice set up by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and how good they cared for people. I was frightened but I went. The hospice was like a five star hotel and the nurses treated me very well. They bath you in the morning and give you breakfast and all meals during the day. Over the months I learnt to eat properly, take my tablets and walked again.

I thank all the sisters at the hospice for giving me hope and changing my life. I am now blessed with a baby boy and he is negative. I am back at work again and proud of my life. I thank the hospice for giving me my life back. I will never forget the staff. Keep up the good work and save more lives.

With thanks
Jomo Kgapane Simango

Ebiany’s Story

Summer 2013 also shared Ebiany’s story, as a student in the school run by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Maracaibo, Venezuela.

My name is Ebiany Yussayu. I am a 4th year student in Our lady of the Sacred Heart School in the barrio of Chino Julio, Maricaibo, Venezuela, where I live. I belong to the Wayiuu ethnic group.

For those of you who do not know our tribe, I will give a little information. The original habitat of the Wayiuus is the territory north of Maricaibo right up to the Columbian border.

My parents moved into Maricaibo some years ago and took up residence in barrio Chino Julio where we live today. Our house is a humble residence made of galvanised sheets and wooden poles. I live there with my parents, 5 brothers and sisters and my paternal grandparents. At home we speak Wayuneiki, our native tribal Indian language but with others Spanish is the language.

The presence of Our lady of the Sacred Heart School in our barrio has meant a lot to my family and me. If it was not there, we would have had to walk very long distances to school. The school gives a good education. We get secondary education with emphasis on technical subjects such as accountancy and computers.

After graduating from high school we will be able to get a job or if we wish we can go on studying in the University. A few friends of my family have already done this and have got on very well and are now able to provide for their families.

This opportunity gives families like mine hope for the future and for this we are very grateful to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for providing this school. The school caters for 800 students now having recently opened 3 new classrooms for an additional 150 students and I know they hope to build more in the near future. Supplying learning materials to children makes a huge difference as it changes all of our lives.

Thank you.

Lorraine’s Story

Finally, Summer 2012 gave us Lorraine’s story, as a volunteer care worker at the MSC HIV/AIDS Response Programme in Nzhelele, South Africa.

I am a volunteer at the Drop-In Centre in Nzhelele, South Africa, working with Fr Andre Bohas MSC helping orphans and vulnerable children in the HIV Aids Response programme.

Our care-givers who visit families in the village come across orphans and inform us. We visit the families to see their needs. These children often live and are cared for by a grandmother, the real unsung heroes of the Community. If necessary, we provide them with food-parcels and help them apply for grants. But what happens when the children out there, living with a grandmother, or in a child headed family? Our church is looking after some of their needs. I volunteered to work at this mission according to what I have learned before.

The children age from 7 to 17 years. They have had no time to grieve and as a child they feel the pain but nobody cares. Later they act out of character. We sympathise with an adult, but not with a child. It hurts me. I lost my parents as an adult and found it difficult having no one to turn to. Children who lose parents keep everything to themselves as they afraid that life might become worse and they could be victimized.

Street children are vulnerable and some beg for money to buy bread, but often for something else like drugs. They are neglected and nobody wants them. They did not choose to be orphans. We talk with them and find out the true situation. If we don’t see them for two weeks we ask the care-givers about them. We have become a big family.

At the Drop-In Centre the children meet other children and it is there that they become friends for life. Most of these children do not know anything about Christmas or the Church. To me, it is my calling, my passion to care. It is mostly our Church who cares for them and we do not discriminate, there are no Catholics among them. It takes a village to raise a child.

I am happy to show love, compassion, to be the love of God in Africa, in every situation, where children are involved. What can a child do when he or she is left alone in the world?

Lorraine

An urgent update from Venezuela

Jun 25, 2026

Two devastating earthquakes occurred in Caracas, Venezuela, on the evening of Wednesday, June 24th. Many people have lost their lives and many others have been seriously injured, while homes and buildings have been destroyed. While it is impossible to know the full extent of the destruction caused by the earthquakes at this point, we are very grateful that our missionaries are safe, and we ask that you please join us in keeping the people of Caracas in your prayers.

Irish Provincial Superior Fr. Joe McGee MSC shares a letter following Wednesday’s tragic events, while Brother Deiby Fuenmayor MSC writes to us directly from Venezuela. 

 

A letter from Fr. Joe

“Tragically and regrettably, devastating earthquakes occurred in Venezuela on the evening of June 24th. Many lives have been lost and homes destroyed. We have several missionaries both Venezuelan and Irish working in Maracaibo and in Caracas. Thankfully, our missionaries in Caracas or their local parishes have not been directly impacted, with the same devastation as other parts of the city.  As the earthquake occurred, they were able to evacuate the parish church where Mass was taking place. All escaped without harm. We will keep in regular contact with our missionaries and will offer assistance from our Irish resources as the situation unfolds.”

~ Fr Joe McGee MSC, Irish Provincial Superior

A letter from Br Deiby

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We are addressing you following the strong 7.1 magnitude earthquake recorded in our capital today, June 24, at 6:05 p.m., which was followed 40 seconds later by a 7.5 magnitude aftershock.

Fortunately, and thanks be to God, the infrastructure of our church, the parish house, and the halls did not suffer major damage, reporting only small cracks that are easy and inexpensive to restore. However, we deeply regret the total collapse of many homes, buildings, and sister churches across the city.

We would like to highlight that during the emergency, the faithful evacuated our church in an orderly and civic manner, allowing Father Juan Jennings, MSC, to lead a prayer of strength outside.

Tomorrow we will continue with prayers, holy hours, celebrations of the Word, and the Holy Eucharist. We will pray for the eternal rest of the deceased, the prompt recovery of the injured, and the protection of those leading the rescue efforts: Civil Protection, police, military, medical personnel, and volunteers of good will.

“Let us pray to the Lord for those affected by the strong earthquake that caused loss of life, for their eternal rest”

Finally, we inform you that both Father Juan Jennings and myself, Brother Deiby Fuenmayor, MSC, are doing well. We remain on alert and with great caution, as more than 20 aftershocks have been registered and new tremors that could exceed magnitude 5 are forecast for the coming hours.

Let us remain united in prayer and solidarity.

† Fraternally in Christ,
Brother Deiby Fuenmayor, MSC

 

A Prayer from Fr John Fitzgerald here at Sacred Heart Church Cork

A Reflection on Love: Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026

Jun 23, 2026

Our 2026 Novena to the Sacred Heart has come to an end, and it is with truly grateful hearts that we thank everybody who helped to make it such a special occasion for all involved.

This year’s Novena took place from Thursday, June 4th to Friday, June 12th, at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork. We were delighted to see so many familiar faces join us during the Novena, and of course to welcome new friends along too. An astounding 13,500 people joined us in prayer on our live stream over the course of the nine days, from close to home and across the world, reminding us in such a lovely way that we are all very much interconnected and part of something bigger, part of a great community of faith, wherever in the world we may be located.

MSC Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026 – Fr John Fitzgerald MSC introduces Fr John H. Walsh OP at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

It was a joy and a privilege to have this year’s Novena to the Sacred Heart celebrated by Fr John H. Walsh OP. Born in Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Fr John entered the Order of Preachers in Cork after leaving school. Having been educated in Maynooth, Oxford, and Rome, Fr. John has served as a preacher of parish missions and retreats, and was also promoter for the Rosary Apostolate and a superior of Dominican communities in Ireland. Currently, he is the director of the St. Martin Apostolate in Dublin and the editor of the St. Martin magazine, as well as promotor for itinerant preaching for the Irish Dominicans.

Having been welcomed by our own Fr John Fitzgerald MSC, Fr John Walsh opened the Novena with some lovely words. “It’s a great honour to be asked to preach this Novena,” he said. “It’s a great honour for a Dominican to come down here to this Church of the Sacred Heart and to lead you in these nine days, and to remind you of the love of God. It’s a great honour for me to be with you and I look forward to these nine days here on the Western Road.” This set the tone for the nine days ahead, and we were extremely grateful to Fr John for leading us through this special time of prayer and reflection with such an open, loving heart.

Fr John H. Walsh OP (left) and Fr John Fitzgerald MSC (right) mark a day of healing at the Sacred Heart Church Hall on the Western Road, Cork.

A reflection on love

“There’s only one word in English for love, you know, and that’s love,” reflected Fr John at the opening Mass of the Novena. “There’s only one word we use, it’s this love, but it’s kind of fluid in many ways – there are differences in love, aren’t there? What the Lord is asking us on this first day of this Novena, is, he’s asking the question, what have we to do? You have to love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Continuing with this thought, Fr John spoke about the picture of the Sacred Heart in so many Catholic homes. “Why do we have the Sacred Heart picture?” he asked. “It was to remind our mothers and our grandmothers, who spent most of their days in their houses, that they weren’t alone.”

“It was to remind them that they were loved. And you are loved. You might feel unloved, and we struggle with that as humans, we struggle with love… And that’s why I want to spend these nine days with you, is to show you that love.”

Fr John Fitzgerald MSC and Fr John H. Walsh OP celebrate Mass at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

Going to on speak about love, and the importance of loving your neighbour, Fr John explained, “You can love the Sacred Heart all you like, and you can love your God all you like, but in order to love him fully as the Gospel says today, you have to love your neighbour. You might say, ‘Who’s my neighbour, Father?’ Your neighbour might be the cat at home. It’s the next person you meet. It’s the person you meet in the shop, and you hold the door for them… I don’t know the person, but I have to see in the person and each person, God, to see that Sacred Heart in them. It’s hard, it’s difficult, people ignore you, people blank you out – but we have to love them. St. John of the Cross said, if you want to find love, put love into it, and therefore you’ll find it. You’ve to go out of yourself, and that what Jesus is asking every one of us today. Go out of yourself. A simple smile won’t crack our face, does it? No. You mightn’t feel like smiling, but that’s what Jesus is saying – you will find me if you go out of yourself. Go out of yourself. Hold the door, be patient.”

“You don’t know what a person is carrying… You never know what another person is carrying.”

“It’s a small thing, this is how you love others as you love God.”

“It’s for us Christians to go out of ourselves, and that’s how we change the world, that’s how we’ve always changed the world, because we went to incredible strengths to do things. And you’re asked to do the same today. I’m not asking you to be a Missionary of the Sacred Heart – your mission is at home, or your mission is in the car park, or holding the shop door… Go out of yourself for love.”

Fr John H. Walsh OP and Fr John Fitzgerald MSC celebrate Mass at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

Celebrating the Feast of the Sacred Heart

“The Feast of the Sacred Heart is a feast of not just something Jesus did, but something who Jesus is, his love, his infinite love for each one of us,” said Fr John on the final day of the Novena, and the Feast Day of the Sacred Heart.

“Isn’t it amazing, you never know what you live with, or what you live among, and you never know what another has suffered for you, and that’s what we celebrate in the heart of Jesus, and the wounded hands. This is how much I love you, that I would die for you to save you – and to know that you’re loved. You just think back on your own lives, the love of your parents and your grandparents and your neighbours and your friends, and all those who have done so much for you, that you could have life.”

Fr John H. Walsh OP (left) and Fr John Fitzgerald MSC (right) mark a day of healing at the Sacred Heart Church Hall on the Western Road, Cork.

Pausing in the love of the Lord

In a beautiful moment of peaceful reflection, Fr John invited all those gathered in the Sacred Heart Church, and watching on the live stream, to pause for a moment of prayer.

“Feel your pulse,” he said. “You know, I often sit in prayer, and that’s all I do. I listen to my heartbeat. Feel your pulse, your heart is beating out that blood. And if you close your eyes and just think of the love of Jesus for you, that’s what we’re celebrating for nine days here, the heart of Jesus that beats out of love for you.”

“The beauty of our faith is that heart didn’t just stop on Calvary, it continues to beat for you. So if you feel lonely, if you’re under stress, if you feel insulted or hurt or abandoned by your family, abandoned by your world, even by those whom you love most, and yet you keep pouring it out, check your pulse. Just close your eyes, and say Lord, that’s your heart too, beating for love of me. It’s beautiful, isn’t it? You could spend hours listening to your pulse. If it stops, good luck to you! But if you do feel lonely sitting at home, and if you’re feeling depressed or anxious, angry or hurt, just close your eyes or look up at your Sacred Heart picture, check your pulse, and sit and listen to that rhythm – I love you, I love you, I love you. I love you above all things, and I would die for you. It’s what we all need, don’t we?”

“No matter what you’re going through, or whatever pain that you’re undergoing, return love, not hatred, not vengeance. Jesus is the opposite.”

MSC Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026, led by Fr John H. Walsh OP at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

With heartfelt thanks

We are profoundly grateful to Fr John Walsh, who provided us with great pause for thought in his daily reflections, helping us to look ever deeper in our spiritual reflection and healing, and leading us down useful, interesting, and healing paths of prayer. “You brought the power of the Sacred Heart so close to us that it’s just straight in front of our eyes and in our hearts, and we are privileged to have you with us,” said Fr John Fitzgerald as the Novena came to a close.

“We will leave this place, and there’s a bit of a sadness always when we leave a nine-day thing like this, when we’ve come together,” said Fr John F. And with that slight regret at the ending of such a special time, comes a great hope.

“There’s a letter here from one of the priests in 1975, and he said that the Sacred Heart Novena was on its way out because everyone was in their 50s and 60s and 70s,” recalled Fr John F. “This is when we were slips of boys and girls back in the 60s and 70s – and of course how wrong he was.”

“I remember here, there might be a little basket of petitions – and now there are thousands of petitions all around, and still some to come, so it is far from a dead Novena.”

With so many mission friends and parishioners joining us from near and far at the Sacred Heart Church each day, and thousands of others tuning in from around the world, it is clear that the Novena to the Sacred Heart is as powerful and beloved as ever.

We are truly grateful to all who contributed to making this year’s Novena such a resounding success, as we take with us such a powerful and great message of love. The time and effort that went into the many details, from flowers, music, and readings, to the teas and coffees and socialising, and the planning of all the details in between, is always hugely appreciated. To all who joined us in prayer, be it in person or online, your presence has been a blessing and a gift. God bless you all.

MSC Novena to the Sacred Heart 2026, led by Fr John H. Walsh OP and accompanied by MSCs Fr John and Fr Tijo at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

If you would like to watch this year’s Novena Masses,
please click here to view recordings of all nine days.

 

A Pilgrim’s Diary: Walking St. Declan’s Way

Jun 23, 2026

At the end of May, our MSC pilgrim group took on a six-day journey along the historic St. Declan’s Way, raising funds for the vital work being done on the infant twins’ care programme in the rural village of Maker Kuei, South Sudan. Under the expert guidance of Phil and Elaine at Celtic Ways Ireland, our pilgrims undertook a truly unforgettable journey along the ancient pathways of Ireland’s eastern coast.

Our group was based in the beautiful Glencomeragh House, which was built in the early 1800s and is an oasis of prayer, peace, and tranquillity, with a waterfall and ponds on the grounds for visitors to enjoy. The first day of the pilgrimage saw our group meet and settle in their rooms in Glencomeragh House, making new friends and preparing for the journey ahead.

After a hearty breakfast, Day Two signalled the start of our walk, beginning at the Rock of Cashel with a private tour by renowned author and travel writer John G. O’Dwyer. “We had a brilliant private tour of the Rock of Cashel,” says Mary, one of our pilgrims. “It was really interesting, he had some fantastic stories.”

A 12km walk took our pilgrims through the Golden Vale, stopping in an old friary in Lough Kent. Here, Fr Tony Horgan celebrated Mass, and the group enjoyed lunch together. “It was absolutely beautiful,” Mary recalls, “surrounded by birdsong and flowers. It was very pretty.”

The day ended with a walk by the riverbank in Cahir, and dinner together at Glencomeragh House. Day Three began with another private tour at Cahir Castle, before spending some time at the beautiful Swiss Cottage. The weather was glorious, and the sun shone all the way to Ardfinnan, where local guide Conor met the group. “We had lunch under the trees,” Mary tells us, “and the children were hopping into the water in the River Suir. It was just gorgeous.”

The group had Mass in Lady’s Abbey, joined by a new friend – a 96-year-old lady with a life’s experience to share. “Fr Tony’s Masses are so gentle,” Mary says. “They are just lovely.” Our pilgrims also enjoyed a special reflection along the Cahir River Walk, and a delicious dinner in a pub in Kilsheelan. Celebrations were in order for our guides, Elaine and Phil, as it was their eighth anniversary, and the evening ended on an extra-special note with a hot air balloon sighting at the day’s end, highlighting the pure magic of this journey.

On Day Four, our group took on the Knockmealdown Mountains, beginning at the Liam Lynch Memorial. This magnificent Round Tower monument is surrounded by four greyhounds, representing each of the four provinces of Ireland. Our pilgrims were joined by local guide Mark, and dog, Ludo – “the most adorable black Labrador I’ve ever seen in my life!” says Mary. “The walk was stunningly beautiful,” she tells us. “As you’re walking, you’re seeing this green, fertile land, and then all of a sudden, you come to a grey, rocky landscape, and the contrast is just incredible to see.”

“You’re just in awe,” Mary continues. “The stories that we heard were fascinating. Our ancestors had a lot to contend with!”

The day continued with a visit to Mount Melleray Abbey. “All we could hear was the sound of the birds, and the cuckoo’s call,” says Mary. “We also saw a deer, it was just beautiful. We were all very quiet on the journey back to Glencomeragh, because we were tired after the walk, but also because we were just overwhelmed by the sheer beauty we had seen that day.”

That evening was a special one. Monday’s guide, John G. O’Dwyer, joined the group again with his lovely wife, Carmel, and our very own Fr John Fitzgerald and Fr John Finn made the journey up from the Sacred Heart parish in Cork to wish our pilgrims well. “The piece de resistance took place that evening,” says Mary. “We had the most beautiful vigil for peace, led by the Island of Ireland Peace Choir. Phil and Elaine actually started this choir, and arranged the performance for us, and it was just the most joyous experience. The weather was like nothing on earth, we were surrounded by the most beautiful scenery, it was like being in a cloud of joy.”

Day Five took the group to Lismore Castle. “We were accompanied the whole way by a little robin, he was there guiding us the entire time,” Mary recalls. Our pilgrims spent some time exploring Lismore, before travelling to Dungarvan for a gala dinner to mark the finale of an extraordinary journey. Everybody received a certificate, and shared special memories of a wonderful week. Each pilgrim shared their favourite moments of the week. “One of mine was the beautiful Mass we had on the first day,” says Mary, “and another was the concert by the Choir of Peace, it was the most amazing performance.”

On the final day, our group walked to Ardmore, where we were welcomed by Fr. John Fitzgerald, who joined the pilgrims on the Ardmore Cliff Walk. Local guide James led the way, with an expert knowledge of all things Ardmore. The final Mass of the trip took place in the old section of the cathedral in Ardmore, concelebrated by Fr John and Fr Tony. “It was an amazing week,” says Mary. “Our group was wonderful, we really did have great craic! There was a singsong every night – Fr Tony’s special was Stairway to Heaven!”

“We were all so grateful for our own reflections, and especially for the people of South Sudan, who we did the walk for.”

With sincere thanks to all who made our first pilgrimage along St. Declan’s Way such a special one, from our pilgrims themselves, to Phil, Elaine, and all the local guides, to our MSCs who contributed along the way – and of course, everybody who supported us, helped us, or contributed to a truly wonderful cause. Fr Alan Neville MSC sends a special message of thanks and encouragement from South Sudan.

Summer Appeal 2026: Mary Immaculate Hospital, Mapourdit, South Sudan

Jun 19, 2026

<br /> Hospital founder Br. Rosario at the Paediatric Oncology Ward
Hospital founder Br. Rosario at the Paediatric Oncology Ward

 

Mary Immaculate Hospital is a rural hospital that has no state support and is located in a very remote area of Mapourdit, South Sudan.

Founded in 2002, the hospital has capacity of 134 beds to serve a catchment area of three counties (Yirol West, Mvolo and Rumbek East), with an estimated population of approximately 200,000 people. Many other people outside of the official catchment area also seek help from the hospital, which is extremely difficult to reach. Road transport is hugely undeveloped, meaning that people have towalk to the hospital or rent a motorbike to travel there, which is largely unaffordable for most. 

Situated in a very isolated rural area, the hospital relies on solar-powered electricity, and borehole water which is piped to the various areas it is needed. 

The hospital runs an ambulance service, which helps pregnant women who are bleeding heavily or are in labour, or very sick children. These are the only patients the ambulance has the capacity to serve, as the hospital can only afford to hire one ambulance driver. 

There are currently 133 paid staff at the hospital. Last year, a total of 56,124 people presented at the outpatients department, while 8,274 patients were admitted for care. The team here also run a vaccination outreach programme which facilitates healthcare members visiting rural communities to provide essential immunisation to children in the region. The maternity department is an integral part of the hospital’s service, providing vital care to women in the region. Effective maternity care is nothing short of life-saving in a country with one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. 

 

Akol’s Story

 Akol is pictured here with her grandmother, who cares for her. Her mother fell pregnant with Akol at the age of 16, before she was married. Akol’s father did not have the required number of cows needed to wed her mother, and a year later, a suitable match was found. Akol’s mother was married and left Akol in her grandmother’s care. One year later, Akol’s mother died in a subsequent pregnancy, from severe anaemia.  

In January of this year, Akol’s jaw started swelling, and she arrived in Mapourdit Hospital at the end of the month, too weak to begin treatment. She was diagnosed with Burkitt Syndrome, an aggressive form of lymphoma which affects children in the area. She had to spend a month on the ward to build up her strength, including transfusions, in order to be able to begin chemotherapy. Her first chemotherapy session was in late February, and she has received four sessions since. Her fifth and final dose was postponed and she was waiting for this at the time of publication. Following this, she will spend a further two weeks at the hospital before being discharged, and she will be given a date to return for review at this point. 

 

Diabetes care

Pictured here is Br. Rosario, founder of the Mary Immaculate Hospital, teaching a young boy diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes how to inject himself with insulin. There is a serious issue with this type of diabetes in the region, and a severe shortage of insulin. The hospitals themselves cannot get insulin, and often, it is sold for a high price.  

Br. Rosario provides insulin free of charge to those who need it. This young boy lives in an extremely rural, remote region without electricity and the necessary refrigeration facilities for the insulin. He therefore has to bury his insulin supply to keep it safe and as cool as possible. 

The mission statement of the hospital is to provide “integral, affordable, accessible and sustainable health care for the people living in the hospital catchment area.”  

Dr. Hanan in the dressing clinic

“The hospital is therefore committed to a holistic, integrated and sustainable action in health. This includes disease prevention, curative treatment, health promotion, and facilitation of training of health workers. The most vulnerable members of the community remain the priority of the hospital, and the poor, blind and any other disable (including epileptic and psychiatric patients) known to the hospital are exempted from payment of user fees in order to ensure that they receive treatment whenever they fall sick.” 

Please help us to help Br. Rosario, Sr. Dolorosa (Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart), and the hospital team to continue in their life-saving work. 

SUPPORT OUR MISSION PROJECTS

Summer Appeal 2026 : Sustainability in the Philippines

Jun 19, 2026

“Much to do and dream of…” 

The MSC CEPAGCO (Centre for the Poor Agriculture Cooperative) Multipurpose Cooperative is an award-winning cooperative in the Philippines, which is growing and thriving with a current total of 457 members. The cooperative describe themselves as “a grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to taking care of the environment and the well-being of the people, and providing services to the community in terms of spiritual, pastoral and socio-economic needs”. 

Each and every decision made by the cooperative aims to align with their mission to “Care for the Earth, Care for the People, Share the Surplus”. 

“The climate crisis is most deeply felt by rural communities and smallholder farmers who depend directly on the land for survival,” explain the MSC CEPAGCO. Dependence on conventional electricity comes with a series of serious challenges, including high energy costs, an unreliable power supply, and due to this instability, frequent interruptions during important operations such as milling, drying, and storage. 

The MSC CEPAGCO Multipurpose Cooperative manages a 7.66-hectare farm and agricultural hub which is home to a rice and corn mill, flatbed and solar dryers, barns, and an Earth Kitchen. This site serves as a vital centre for food security and sustainability, but is also poised to be a future Training Centre for Agriculture, which will model sustainable farming practices that can survive the various climate challenges that come with the location. 

The cooperative now includes 457 members, and many of those involved are smallholder farmers. During harvest season, members have access to the cooperative’s facilities to help with milling, drying, and storage, to ensure that the post-harvest services are accessible and affordable for all. 

Thanks to the support of the cooperative, many local farmers have been able to transition from synthetic to organic farming practices, with the cooperative itself a guaranteed purchaser of their produce. This strengthens both community livelihoods and local food security. 

As the cooperative remains heavily dependent on electricity to operate, disruptions to the power supply compromise both member productivity and the quality of the products themselves. Rising energy costs also reduce profitability, and consume resources that could otherwise be used for expansion. As such, the cooperative is working to transition to a renewable energy source, through solar power, as a sustainable solution aligned with the ethos and vision of the MSC Centre for the Poor and the MSC CEPAGCO. This will not only reduce costs, but will also empower the MSC CEPAGCO community to actively model the use of sustainable energy in agriculture. 

This summer, the MSC CEPAGCO are raising funding to install a new solar power system, with a battery back-up for critical operations in case of power interruptions. As well as reducing dependency on fossil fuels, this will also lower monthly energy costs, showcase the efficiency of renewable energy for the community, and strengthen the ethos of the co-operative’s climate action plan. With the rising cost of living and escalating operational costs, this will be an effective way to reduce energy costs and re-direct the savings made into the growth of the co-operative and development of its various sustainability programmes.  

“By investing in this solar initiative, we are not only reducing costs and ensuring operational stability, but also building a model farm and training centre that demonstrates the power of renewable energy in advancing food security and climate action,” say the MSC CEPAGCO. “Beyond cooperative operations, this project will also directly benefit the 457 cooperative members, who can continue to access the cooperative’s post-harvest facilities during harvest season. As more farmers in San Luis are converting from synthetic to organic practices – with the cooperative serving as a guaranteed buyer of their yield – this solar project ensures that our facilities remain accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all members.” 

 

Organic farming to protect the earth 

The MSC CEPAGCO are also raising funds to launch a one-year programme focused on the conversion of 3.75 hectares of farmland in Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, changing current conventional farming methods over to organic practices. The programme aims to reverse damage to the soil, while improving food stability, empowering small farmers, and promoting climate justice. 

“Decades of chemical-based agriculture have degraded soil fertility, reduced biodiversity, and deepened farmers’ dependency on expensive synthetic inputs,” explain the MSC CEPAGCO. 

In Talacogon, Agusan del Sur, these challenges are particularly severe. Many small farmers in the region are suffering with rising costs, diminishing harvests, and unstable incomes, making long-term sustainability a great uncertainty in the region. In response to these issues, the MSC CEPAGCO are proposing this initiative, which will offer “a practical, community-driven solution that seeks to heal degraded soils, strengthen local economies, restore ecological balance, and empower farmers as leaders in sustainable food production”. 

The year-long programme will cover two cropping cycles, and will cover costs including dedicated soil care and nourishment, and on-site training and mentoring for up to 50 local farmers. It will also develop demonstration farms, which will serve as training hubs to educate other famers in the region.  

Developing solar-powered water pumps 

In addition, the MSC CEPAGCO are currently working on the development of solar-powered water pumps to help farmers in conditions of severe drought. In April, Super El Niño brought about temperatures of 47°C, and many farms simply cannot survive the effects of this extreme heat. 

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and the ensuing effects on fuel availability and cost, are also taking their told, as many of the farm’s systems currently depend on fuel pumps for operation. 

“When food cannot be put on the table, all other problems become secondary,” writes Fr Richie Gomez MSC. “Our solutions, while technical in nature, also need social transformation and political will. If we know the problem well, then so the solution follows.” 

Expert engineers are already developing prototypes of solar-powered water pumps specifically designed to suit the needs of the region, which would make an enormous difference to the farmers struggling with the challenges of extreme heat. For one community working approximately 500 acres of farmland, having five portable solar water pumps would make a tremendous difference. 

“We are working to harness the power of the sun to drive sustainable agriculture,” writes Fr Richie. With the technology available to us today, we can combine this high-tech efficiency with clean, safe, sustainable power that will help to protect the ecological environment while benefitting the farming communities who are caring for the earth. 

“With determination and collaboration, we can find sustainable solutions to support our farmers and strengthen our communities.  There is so much to do and much to dream of,” says Fr Richie. From sharing resources, knowledge, and technology, to encouraging youth involvement in agriculture, to expanding renewable energy solutions and building sustainable food systems, the MSC CEPAGCO have a multitude of plans in the works for the coming months and years. 

“Together, through innovation, collaboration, and determination, we can transform these challenges into opportunities and ensure a stronger future for our farmers and communities,” Fr Richie tells us. 

SUPPORT OUR MISSION PROJECTS