Oct 16, 2018
Kasparina Renwarin is a teacher and a former student at Siwa Lima St Joseph’s Technical School in Langgur, Indonesia. Built in 1970, the school is run by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart with the aim of educating young people in the region so “they can do something good for themselves and for their families”. In a region where poverty is a pressing issue, St Joseph’s provides the youth of the community with hope for the future. Here is Kasparina’s story:
“My name is Kasparina Renwarin and I am 53 years old. I have been a teacher in St Joseph’s Technical School since 1983.
When the school first opened, it was attended by male students only. Female students did not begin to attend St Joseph’s until 1979. I was one of six ladies who began studying in the school together.
I finished my studies in 1982. In 1983, the headmaster at the time invited me to teach in the automotive department and I was very happy to get this job, even though I was not an expert in the subject. I do my best for my students. Although my salary is low, I wish to dedicate myself and my skills to my beloved alma mater.
I realised that I needed to develop my knowledge and my ability in the automotive department further, so I continued my studies. In 2014, I became a civil employee as a teacher, and I remain teaching in my alma mater.
I hope that St Joseph’s Technical School remains constant, and continues to develop to become the best technical school in the Malucu Province. God bless us all, and our beloved St Joseph’s!”
PLEASE HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN INDONESIA
Oct 11, 2018
“Ever this day, be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide…”
We all draw comfort from our guardian angel, a peaceful presence on our shoulder that guides and guards us always.
Our beautiful range of guardian angel gifts are the perfect way to honour our angel guides, or to remind someone we love that they are never alone. In times of trouble or stress, when there’s a big decision to be made, or when we simply feel a little bit lost, we turn to the angelic messenger who guides our footsteps and leads us along the right path.
From an elegant silver-plated bracelet adorned with a delicate angel charm, to a collection of angelic statues featuring encouraging messages, our angel gifts are wonderful keepsakes to inspire and enchant.
When you choose one of our guardian angel gifts, your gesture goes further than you can imagine, bringing the gift of hope to vulnerable families and communities around the world. Our MSCs work in regions of extreme poverty and hardship, bringing vital aid to people who have nowhere else to turn. Every order we receive makes a difference, allowing our MSCs to continue their work in transforming lives across the globe.
Pick the perfect present for someone special, or find your own personal reminder that your guardian angel is never far from your side. This lovely collection of angel mementos will bring delight to all who hold their guardian angel dear.
EXPLORE OUR GUARDIAN ANGEL GIFTS
Oct 6, 2018
It is not good for man/woman to be alone
Gospel Reflection: Mark 10:2-16
God has created us as relational. It is not good for us to be alone. This is an important message for us in this very individualistic age.
Jesus is asked if divorce is OK. His response is to recall God’s original vision for us. God made us for one another. For most people, this takes the shape of finding one special person and forming a special relationship. Those who are single also live in relationship with other people. Without such connection people become sick, both physically and mentally.
In Romania, under communist rule, many orphans were kept in institutions where they were deprived of human touch. Even though these children were fed and given enough to drink they became sick and some died. For human beings to live and thrive, they need touch, love, relationship.
However, the kind of relationship that people need is deep rather than superficial. Unfortunately, today, many people see relationships as almost a commodity. Something to be taken off the shelf and replaced when it no longer suits. This is not how God made us. For relationships to grow, they must pass through difficulty and struggle, confusion and understanding, forgiveness and reconciliation. Without working through the problems, relationships never deepen.
Jesus invites us to accept our need of deep relationship. That is not to say that sometimes relationships end. However, God’s dream for us remains deep, long-lasting, and life-giving relationships.
Fr Con O’Connell MSC
Oct 4, 2018
In the summer of 2017, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart marked their Golden Jubilee in Venezuela, 50 years after our missionaries first started their work in this troubled country. Today, Venezuela is deep in the worst political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis ever experienced in the country’s history, and our MSCs are the only Irish priests working to bring relief to local communities caught in the midst of this social and political turmoil.
“A serious, volatile, and rapidly deteriorating situation.”
Simon Coveney, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, recently addressed the issue of the Venezuelan crisis, highlighting the “serious, volatile, and rapidly deteriorating situation”, where “reports of human rights violations are a cause of real concern”.
Pope Francis has also spoken out about the situation in Venezuela, following a meeting with the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Venezuela in Rome. Archbishop Luis Azuaje Ayala, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Venezuela, and Archbishop of Maracaibo, spoke about the Pope’s interest and empathy, stating “The Pope did not simply listen to us, he expressed himself on the importance and value of the Church in Venezuela”.
Those who can raise enough money are fleeing the country to escape from the volatile social, political, and economic climate. Following a visit to Venezuela last year, Fr Joseph McGee MSC said, “People are doing all they can to leave the country and start a new life”. Archbishop Azuaje reiterates this, dividing the migrants into three categories: those who emigrated to Venezuela and are now returning to their countries of origin; professionals and business people who are leaving to work elsewhere; and the poor, who are fleeing for their lives, on foot and without money or provisions.
“Stay close to the people of Venezuela, especially to those who are suffering.”
Continued hyperinflation means that the price of necessities is sky-high, far beyond the means of people who are struggling to survive. “The most difficult thing I witnessed was seeing people scavenge in the rubbish heaps for scraps that have burst through the overflowing rubbish bags and appear to be edible,” recalls Fr Joe McGee MSC, a state of affairs that Archbishop Azuaje echoed in his meeting with the Holy Father.
Pope Francis spoke with the Venezuelan bishops, encouraging them to “stay close to the people of Venezuela, especially to those who are suffering”. Our MSCs continue to do all they can to support those who are worst affected by the ongoing crisis, offering some hope to those who have nowhere else to turn.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS
Read Fr Joe McGee’s reflections on Venezuela here.
The Venezuelan Community in Ireland have reached out to thank the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for our ongoing ministry in Venezuela.
Read their letter here.
Sep 25, 2018
Each year, the coming of September sees a flurry of activity at the MSC Missions Office as we prepare for our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes. This year’s pilgrimage took place from September 17th to 22nd, and as ever, it was a wonderful journey for all involved.
MSCs Fr Michael O’Connell, Fr Tim Gleeson, Fr Joe McGee, Fr Eugene Clarkson, and Spiritual Director Fr Charles Sweeney joined our pilgrims on this year’s trip. The opening Mass, which saw 80 pilgrims join together in prayer and song, marked a beautiful beginning to what was a truly enriching journey for all.
Mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes is always a highlight of the pilgrimage, and this year was no exception. Here, the sun shone on our MSCs and pilgrims and they prayed for our MSC mission friends and benefactors in the magnificent surroundings of the Grotto.
Another very special stop on this year’s pilgrimage was Mass at Sheepfold Chapel. This rustic chapel dates back to the 1800s, when St Bernadette would shelter her sheep under its thatched roof. With a great sense of peace and serenity residing here, Mass was an especially memorable occasion for our MSCs and pilgrims.
Many thanks to all involved in making this year’s pilgrimage such a rewarding one, where many happy memories were made, new friendships blossomed, and old acquaintances were fondly renewed. Until next year!
If you would like to find out more about the annual MSC pilgrimage to Lourdes, please click here.
Sep 18, 2018
In August, much of the state of Kerala, India, was submerged following devastating floods with the highest recorded rainfall in almost 100 years. Indian Union Secretary Fr Syam Kumar MSC writes to tell us about the terrible destruction caused at the Sacred Heart Seminary in Kanjoor, Ernakulam.
A Deluge in God’s Own Country
“The floods in Kerala caused the deaths of hundreds and drove many millions out of their homes. With the highest rainfall in nearly a century, Kerala state hit the headlines of every newspaper in the country. God’s own country was drowned; we MSC in Kerala were also affected very severely by the unprecedented rainfall and the unexpected rising of the water levels in the River Periyar which flooded our campus in Kanjoor village. Like many millions who were afflicted by the Kerala floods, our men were also forced to flee for their lives, fearing the deluge.
Located by the bank of the River Periyar (which means ‘big river’, and indeed it is a big river), is our seminary. The seminary was built to train our men in their Novitiate year, and is most suitable for prayer, reading and reflection. The beauty of the view of the river from our campus is so serene that many who visit this campus would love to visit us again and again. Many say that they love to while away the time, simply sitting there.
“The water level in the river started rising to alarming heights.”
Since the unusual rainfall during this monsoon, the water level in the river started rising to alarming heights. On August 15th, our confreres went to the parish church for the blessing of the newly refurbished church. Once they returned from the celebrations, the priests and brothers realised that continuing to stay at the seminary would be life-threatening, and they started shifting every mobile piece of furniture, home appliances, utilities, and whatever else they could, from the ground floor to the first floor. They managed to move many things safely. The local parish priest of St Mary’s Forane church, Rev Fr Pottackal Varghese, opened his presbytery for our priests and students to stay there on the evening of August 16th.
For four nights, our men took shelter at the parish presbytery. Along with our men, many people whose houses were drowned in the flood also took refuge on the church premises. Men and women, together with children; the camp sheltered over three thousand people. A couple of our students shared with me how they felt sorry for the children struggling because of the flood, leaving their houses and their comforts and standing in long queues to get their stomachs filled with meagre porridge. It is very heart-breaking for anyone to see children struggling.
“The decreased rainfall came as a long-awaited relief… Tougher times were still ahead.”
As our men were away from the community, water levels gradually rose to the highest level, flooding the whole campus. At the entrance, the water level was even neck deep. The electricity department disconnected the power to the campus. Fr Baskar Raj, with the help of our neighbour, managed to get into the campus on a boat to capture the devastating and shocking scene at Sacred Heart Seminary. The video was in circulation through WhatsApp and other social media to our confreres in India and abroad. Everyone who saw the video was overwhelmed by shock and dismay at the extent of water that engulfed our beautiful campus. After a couple of days, the water level eventually subsided. Though the reduced water level on the campus and the decreased rainfall came as a long-awaited relief, once our men went to see the campus, the sights that greeted them left them in shock and horror. Only then did they realise that tougher times were still ahead.
“There was danger from snakes and poisonous insects hiding in the house.”
Fr Baskar Raj and Fr Francis Babu visited the seminary periodically to see if anything needed their immediate attention. Fortunately, the water levels reduced, but the house still remained in a terrible state. Though it stopped raining and there was no threat from the water, the danger from the remnants of the flood seemed much more deadly than the flood itself. With so much slush and waste stagnated on the floor of every living area, cleaning the house seemed an endless task. In addition to being a laborious task, cleaning of the house was, in fact, hazardous to the community’s health. There was danger from snakes and poisonous insects hiding in the house; as it was unavoidable, our men had to kill a snake. But with dedication and with uncomplaining commitment, our confreres and the students pulled their spirits and energy together.
As the electricity was still disconnected, the only source of water was the well. Students had to draw buckets and buckets of water from the well in the old-fashioned way with a rope. Though the task was extremely arduous, slowly and meticulously they cleaned one building after another on the campus, starting from the chapel. On August 18th and 19th, as they did not have the facilities to cook, they had their breakfast at the parish church, then came to our campus and cleaned the house, then went back for lunch and returned to resume the cleaning. Anyone can imagine how painstakingly difficult it has been for all our men.
On August 20th, as the house was to some extent liveable, our confreres and students returned to the community, without drinking water and electricity. Until this time, no one outside Kerala could get to our community as the transport system was completely disconnected. On August 21st, as soon as the transport system resumed, Frs Tijo John, Irudhaya Raj, Richard, and I drove down to Kanjoor from Bangalore. At places like Palakkad and Trissure, roads were very severely damaged, but we managed to get to the Sacred Heart Seminary by 5.00pm after eight hours of driving, taking with us 140 litres of drinking water and utensils to clean the seminary premises. Our arrival was seen as a welcome relief for them. We could see great joy in our confreres that someone was visiting them in their time of difficulty. Fortunately, after we arrived, the electricity connection was restored, after many hours of meticulous cleaning of the electrical room which was submerged in water for days.
“The difficulties we face don’t come to destroy us, but difficult times come to make us durable and tough.”
The damage caused by the flood was colossal. The furniture that was destroyed is going to cost us a lot. We need to do a lot of repair works to the building, painting the inner and outer walls of the buildings, and replacing the water-damaged furniture. We spent two more days with the Sacred Heart community, helping them in cleaning the seminary and assisting them in bringing things back to their normal routine. We really admired the dedication and commitment of our men in fighting the odds posed by the flood. The spirit of courage and forbearance they exercised was indeed praiseworthy.
This experience came as a reminder that the difficulties we face don’t come to destroy us, but difficult times come to make us durable and tough. In a fight between nature and humans, nature seems to be devastating and destroying, but our men, like many others in Kerala, exhibited a great sense of unity and brotherhood. We appreciate and applaud the fight they put up against nature. As the old saying goes: ‘Tough times don’t last but tough people do’. The Kerala flood was indeed tough, but our men proved themselves tougher.”
Fr Syam Kumar MSC
Indian Union Secretary
PLEASE HELP OUR MSCS IN KERALA
