Nov 14, 2024
The team at the MSC Centre for the Poor in Butuan City were all on board to promote mental health and wellbeing at a recent mental wellness workshop, which took place at the beginning of November.
An evening centred on Self-Care for Mental Wellness and Well-Being took place at the centre on November 5th, with guest speaker BK Sister Ma. Lourdes L. Aseneta, chairperson of Brahman Kumaris – Phils,  providing an educational insight into mental wellness and the importance of self-care.
The team at the MSC Centre for the Poor work daily to promote a harmonious relationship between local communities and the world in which we live – nurturing our natural environment, while reaping its benefits in creating a sustainable lifestyle that will help poor and struggling families to build the foundation for a brighter future. The team here are highly active in their ministry, developing and facilitating programmes that encourage disadvantaged and vulnerable individuals and families to learn the skills they need to build a better quality of life and a brighter future. Some of their outreach programmes include agricultural and clean water projects, plastic-free and zero-waste initiatives, and emergency response aid which provides urgent care to survivors of the typhoons and tropical storms that frequently hit the country.
The community at the MSC Centre for the Poor are working tirelessly to build a better world and a better quality of life, and the focus on mental health and wellbeing is just one of the ways in which they are continuing on their journey to encourage a brighter, more positive future for all.
Images via the Facebook page for MSC Centre for the Poor.
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Nov 4, 2024
In November, we remember, keeping family, friends, and loved ones who have gone before us in our prayers at this sacred time. This year, we invite you to take part in a very special ceremony of remembrance and thanksgiving, as we celebrate the tenth anniversary of our much-loved Light Up a Memory Mass.
Our annual Light Up a Memory Mass has become a beloved tradition in the hearts of many, and this year, we mark its tenth anniversary in a special celebration of cherished memories. Once again, we are glad to invite old friends and new to take part in our remembrance Mass, which will be celebrated this year on Saturday, November 23rd. This beautiful candlelit evening of music, reflection, and remembrance will take place at 6.30pm the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork, and will be streamed live here on the MSC website for those who cannot attend in person.
Grief inevitably touches us all, and the Month of the Holy Souls is a special time to honour fond memories of those we have loved and lost. This November, we come together to light a candle in tribute to those whose memory we hold dear, honouring precious memories of lives well lived.
All are welcome to join us in reflection on this special night, and to submit the names of departed family, friends, and loved ones for remembrance. We would greatly appreciate your support for our ongoing mission projects, and in gratitude for your contribution, we will be glad to remember your intentions on the evening. You can then send us the names of your departed loved ones, and our MSC priests will remember them specially during our Light Up a Memory Mass.
This year is a particularly special one, as we mark the tenth anniversary of what has become a much-anticipated tradition to close the Month of the Holy Souls. From the COVID pandemic to ongoing war and social unrest, the events of recent years have demonstrated more than ever the tremendous power of unity and love. Those who cannot be with us in person on the night are very welcome to join us on our live stream, and to light a candle in their own homes or in our online candle gallery, where those listed will have a special place in the prayers of our MSC priests.
In the bleak winter months, the light of remembrance warms our hearts, and the flame of hope and love continues to burn brightly, an enduring spark to light up the darkness. We hope you will join us for an evening of reflection and remembrance in honour of the loved ones who are always in our thoughts.
Find out more about our annual MSC Light Up a Memory Mass.
Please click here to watch the Light Up a Memory Mass, and all November Masses for the Holy Souls, on our live stream.
Oct 31, 2024
A recent article on the Aleteia website shone the spotlight on Fr Albert Boudaud MSC, Papua New Guinea’s oldest missionary. Aleteia’s Camille Dalmas writes a touching piece on Fr Albert, now aged 84, and his missionary journey, following an encounter during Pope Francis’ visit to Port Moresby in September of this year.
Fr Albert Boudaud MSC (Image from Camille Dalmas’ article on www.aleteia.org)
The article explains how Fr Albert began his ministry in Papua New Guinea in 1968, at the age of 28. Originally from the Vendée, he joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Issoudun and was ordained in 1967.
Following his initial pastoral year in Paris, Fr Albert embarked on what was an epic voyage to Papua New Guinea, “a place where his congregation were pioneers”. The journey took 45 days, taking him “across the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and finally to the Pacific via the Panama Canal… Then came the Marquesas, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Sydney. And from there, he traveled to Port Moresby.”
“He remembers sailing the Pacific Ocean for nine days without seeing anything but water,” writes Dalmas.
Making Papua New Guinea his home, Fr Albert moved throughout local villages, learning as many of the country’s 800 different languages as he could. “I came voluntarily, I integrated myself, I made it my country by living close to the people,” he says in the Aleteia piece.
To fit in, he also had to chew areca nut, the natural drug — also known as betel nut — that turns the teeth of so many Papua New Guineans red (and causes mouth cancer). “When the situation was a bit difficult, we’d chew together and that made it possible to get things done.”
Shoes and sandals wore out during these years of mission, when he wasn’t simply going barefoot over muddy terrain. He took the Gospel and the Eucharist on “patrols” to remote villages. He remembers being bitten by snakes before chasing them away with a stick.
He also has baptized people everywhere. “It’s our most important job,” he insists. He spent several days in each village, celebrating Mass and conferring the sacraments.
– Camille Dalmas, Aleteia
Fr Albert is now retired after many years of faithful service. To read his full story, please click here to visit the Aleteia website.
Oct 24, 2024
October 21st marked the 117th anniversary of the death of our founder, Fr Jules Chevalier MSC. Each year on this day, we pray especially for the man who planted the roots of our foundation from humble beginnings, sparking a charism and a mission that we still share over a century later, as our extended Sacred Heart family continues to minister in over 50 countries across the world.
Representatives from several of the Chevalier communities gathered in Rome to pray for Fr Chevalier in the run up to his anniversary, the Chevalier Family in the Philippines also commemorated the day “celebrating the life and mission Jules Chevalier bequeathed to us”, MSCs in the Province of the Pacific Islands “gathered with our Sisters of the OLSH, former Chevalier students, families, friends, and benefactors to mark this special day”, and our MSC and OLSH communities in Vietnam came together for a beautiful service that celebrated the love of the Holy Spirit, and our shared mission to spread that love to every nation throughout the world.
Philippines:
Province of the Pacific Islands:
Vietnam:
The Australian website for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have shared an account of the Death of Fr Jules Chevalier, from the writings of Fr Charles Piperon, quoted from October 21st in the Jules Chevalier Daily Readings (selected by Jan Bovenmars MSC).
“Father Chevalier’s sickness was rapidly bringing his life to an end. Monday, October 21, was the day on which God, in the plans of his infinite mercy, chose to call to himself his faithful servant. Our Superior General, Father Mayer, had set out in haste from Rome and arrived at Issoudun during the night. Immediately on his arrival, he hurried to Father Chevalier who recognised him and still had the strength to bless him. Father Mayer did not leave him again.
Towards midday a crisis seem to indicate the end. Father Mayer then had the community assembled and with them recited the prayers for the dying. From this moment on prayers were said continually at the deathbed of our Father. At three o’clock, there was a fresh crisis, no less painful than what had preceded; but the infirmarian’s intervention helped him surmount it. This was the last of his sufferings. After that he remained for more than two hours in great calm, almost motionless, as if in a peaceful sleep. Then, like the flickering out of a flame, he fell peacefully asleep in the Lord. The clock struck five and the evening Angelus was ringing in the parish.
Thus died our beloved Father, surrounded by his intimates and by some of his religious who had come from various parts to assist at his last hour and to render him their final respects. He had lived eighty-three years, six months and six days, the greater part of which – fifty-three years – had, by a special design of divine Providence, been spent in the town of Issoudun.”
Together, we pray for Fr Chevalier in his eternal rest in the Lord’s love, and we continue, encouraged in our shared missionary journey “to be on Earth the heart of God”.
Sources:
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Australia
Facebook – Ametur MSC
Facebook – MSC Scholasticate Community-Philippines
Facebook – Missionaries of the Sacred Heart – Province of the Pacific Islands
Facebook – MSC Vietnam
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Oct 17, 2024
September and October were action-packed months in San Agustin, Guatemala, at the MSC-run vocational school Centro Faustino Villanueva!
The month of September brought very special celebrations indeed as students at the school marked the 203rd anniversary of Guatemala’s independence.
“Guatemala is your land, your homeland, cherish it, magnify it, love it, defend it. Make it Happy!,” read a post on the Facebook page for Centro Faustino Villanueva, which was accompanied by these wonderful images of colourful and fun-filled celebrations.
In October, the community at the centre celebrated the joy of youth with Dia del Niño, or Children’s Day. “We celebrate those who, with their infectious laughter, teach us to enjoy the little things,” the centre posted on Facebook.
Founded by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1984, Centro Faustino Villanueva marks its 40th anniversary this year. This vocational centre is dedicated to helping disadvantaged and underprivileged youths, and is located in the extremely remote region of San Agustin, Alta Verapaz, in Guatemala. Situated more than eight hours’ drive from Guatemala City, the school provides a vital service to children and youths living across this very rural area.
With the motto “Open doors to education”, the centre works with over 200 students from impoverished villages and vulnerable family groups in the surrounding area, with a waiting list for places. Youths at the centre can study a range of three career skill sets: business administration, science, and teaching. A recent agricultural programme also works to supplement the food supply for the school community, while teaching the students valuable life skills that they can take back to their own homes and communities to improve the quality of life there.
With blessings and best wishes to Fr Jairo and all at Centro Faustino Villanueva as they continue in their invaluable work for families and communities across Alta Verapaz.
Oct 10, 2024
In September, Pope Francis undertook an Apostolic Journey throughout Southeast Asia, visiting Papua New Guinea, where the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have been ministering since the 1800s.
Cardinal John Ribat MSC, Archbishop of Port Moresby and Papua New Guinea’s first cardinal, greeted the Pope, telling him, “I offer you a warm welcome to this beloved country.”
On Sunday, September 8th, the Holy Father presided over Mass for approximately 35,000 Catholics at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby. Cardinal John Ribat MSC joined the Papal Mass, where beautiful images of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Blessed Peter To Rot were displayed on the altar.
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart arrived in Papua New Guinea in September 1882, and have been a strong and constant presence for good since, “making them an intrinsic part of the history and mission of the Catholic Church in the country and a point of reference to this day, including in the education and healthcare sectors.” (Claudia Torres, Vatican News)
Speaking to Vatican News earlier this summer, Superior General of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Fr Mario Abzalón Alvarado Tovar MSC reflected, “In fact, since 1881, we have been in Papua New Guinea, marking the beginning of the modern era of the Church there.”
“There had been minimal presences many centuries before, in very ancient times, but since 1881, we have been present continuously. We are, in a sense, the pioneers of the ecclesial growth in Papua New Guinea.” (Renato Martinez, Vatican News)
Archbishop Rochus Joseph Tatamai MSC, the Archbishop of Rabaul, also spoke at length with Vatican News ahead of Pope Francis’ visit. Touching on the origins of the mission in Papua New Guinea and the upcoming canonisation of the Blessed Peter To Rot (a lay Missionary of the Sacred Heart who was martyred for the faith in the 1940s), the Archbishop was optimistic about the Holy Father’s visit, noting that it would encourage “a greater revival and reawakening of the faith amongst the elderly, the seniors, the oldest, but also amongst our younger generation”, in a “vibrant Church” with a “vibrant faith”. (Claudia Torres, Vatican News)
Indeed, during his visit to the northwestern coastal city of Vanimo, Pope Francis encouraged all present to embody the missionary spirit, as we can all be “missionaries where we live: at home, at school, in the workplace”. He reflected on the fact that love is stronger than fear and “destructive behaviours”, and reminded us that “its beauty can heal the world, because it has its roots in God”. (Devin Watkins, Vatican News)
This is one of the most simple, yet powerful, messages to come from the Holy Father’s trip to Papua New Guinea: “The beauty of love can heal the world.” (Linda Bordoni, Vatican News)
Images via Vatican News and the Ametur MSC Facebook page.
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