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Reflection for the Feast of St Patrick | 17th March 2018

Mar 15, 2018

Reflection & Dialogue: We preach the Gospel not to please mortals, but to please God.

Eternal voices: Christ, Peter, Patrick. Messages for St Patrick’s Day

 

 On this feast of our national apostle there are many voices inviting us to listen. It is Christ himself who speaks when Holy Scripture is read in the church, and this voice is addressing Church authorities and all of us through the prophet Amos: “Go and preach to my people”, preaching to all to be faithful to the covenant, to the teaching of Christ and his Church. The voice of Paul in the liturgical readings reminds us that there will always be accusations (not all of them true), difficulties and obstacles to the preaching of the Gospel message. The voice of Paul also reminds us of the need of honesty and transparency for all involved in teaching the Christian message. Then we are reminded of the “voice of the Irish” to Patrick to return to Ireland and walk again among its people. His voice and his prayer for our fidelity are still with us. Then we have the voice of Jesus concerning Peter to have confidence, since his Saviour has prayed for him that his faith may not fail, but that he might confirm his brothers and sisters in this faith.

 

And now as we have a call for a new evangelization we have the successor of Peter gently, but firmly, calling on the Church to return to her true self. Shortly before he retired, Pope Benedict XVI reminded the Church that while she was in this world she was not of this world. In his very first days is office Pope Francis has called on the Church to be faithful to her true self, and called on believers help facilitate a spiritual renewal or face the possibility of the Church being considered a compassionate, pitiful, NGO. Not of course that the Church is not concerned about such work; it is central to her mission. But her fundamental call is her relation to Christ her founder, and participation in his sufferings and resurrection.

It is hoped that reflections such as these may help on this feast of our national patron, to revive the fervour of the faith he preached and lived. Let us pray with Patrick himself that God may grant that he may never loose the Irish people which he possessed for himself at the ends of the earth.

 

Martin McNamara MSC

Gospel Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent | 18 March 2018

Mar 14, 2018

Reflection: Christ’s victory is that of believers.

 

Gospel (John 12:20-33).  “When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself”.

 

Reflection.  Christ is speaking to us and encouraging us in today’s Gospel  reading, since, as the Second Vatican Council (Document on Sacred Liturgy, paragraph 7) reminds us, Christ is present in his word, as it is he himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church.

A message with believers in this dialogue with ourselves and the society in which we live from today’s Gospel reading is that for Christ his crucifixion is a victory, his victory over all forces opposing his saving work, this “world”, the power of the devil and any other power. Jesus says all this to give confidence to his followers. He has given his victory to them. “I have said to you so that you may have peace. In the world you will have persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world” (John 16:33). The same message is for believers of all generations in time of attacks on their faith. Christ and the Holy Spirit are in their hearts and consciences to strengthen then. “The One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4), meaning any force trying to draw you away from Christ and the church. A little later the same writer gives the encouraging words of the victory of faith over adverse forces (“the world”); “Who it is who conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4).

The victory of which Christ speaks, won by him and given to believers, presumes that believers remain united with him, taking Jesus’ example of the grain of what, and dying to one’s passions and sinful ways.

If we pass from reflection to dialogue with “the world”, with the society of our own day, sometimes unbelieving, we can bear the advice of 1 Peter 3:15-16 in mind: “Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence”. Believers are involved in social life at all levels, the cultural, the political and others as well. But in all this they believe in the prime demands of Christ, recalling his words: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37). The same would hold true (and much more so) for country, political party or anything else. There cannot be question of country or political party first and one’s Christian religion (which means the demands of Christ) afterwards. If such assertions are made, it can clearly be pointed out that allegiance to Christ and his Church does not take from political or cultural commitments.

It may not be too often that a person is called on to decide between allegiance to Christ, one’s religion, Church or political party or country.  There is, of course, no intrinsic incompatibility between allegiance to Christ, the Church and social commitments. The contrary is the case, as devotion to God and Church has inspired and continues to inspire, involvement in community development.

 

Martin McNamara MSC

 

MSC commence new mission in Mozambique

Mar 13, 2018

Yesterday, Monday 12th March 2018, the first two MSC arrived to commence the Congregation’s new mission in Mozambique.

Fr Angelo and Fr Eduardo from the Sao Paulo Province arrived with their provincial, Fr Edivaldo and the Superior General, Fr Absalon to be greeted and received by the Bishop and pastoral workers of the Diocese of Pemba where we will establish the mission in a very poor part of the country with no church infrastructure or functioning pastoral ministry.  This project has been several years in the planning and we congratulate the Sao Paulo Province for its missionary courage in taking on this new mission.

 

Ametur Ubique Terrarum Cor Iesu Sacratissimum – May the most Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere.

Fasting for South Sudan

Mar 12, 2018

It is no secret that South Sudan has become one of the largest crises in the world, and the fastest growing crisis on the African continent. In reaction to this crisis Pope Francis declared a day of fasting and prayer for this crisis-embroiled country. People around the world joined in solidarity with over 7 million South Sudanese, 1.1 million of whom are under the age of 5, and who do not know where their next meal is coming from.

 

The young women enrolled at the Loreto Girls Secondary School approached Sr. Orla about their desire to participate – to fast during lunch. They decided to donate the food that they would have eaten for that meal to Pan Ngath; a women and child center run by the Missionaries of Charity in Rumbek town.

 

Loreto has been working to support the community through this time of extreme food insecurity and is providing over 2000 meals each day and distributing over 2 metric tonnes of dry rations each month. Loreto again expresses their gratitude to all donors, advocates and supporters for standing in solidarity with them and their community and for all the support they continually receive throughout this time of great need.

PLEASE HELP US TO SAVE LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN

Child Safeguarding Statement of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Mar 8, 2018

Child Safeguarding Statement of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

 

 

This statement has been prepared to comply with the requirements of the Children First Act 2015 and is derived from Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016 and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Safeguarding Procedures 2014.

 

Statement

As a constituent member of the Catholic Church in Ireland, we recognise and uphold the dignity and rights of all children, are committed to ensuring their safety and well-being and will work in partnership with parents/ guardians to do this. We recognise each child as a gift from God, and we value and encourage the participation of children in all activities that enhance their spiritual, physical, emotional, intellectual and social development.

All Church personnel (including clergy, religious, staff and volunteers) have a responsibility to safeguard children through promoting their welfare, health and development in a safe and caring environment that supports their best interests and prevents abuse.

 

Nature of Service & Principles to Safeguard Children from Harm

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart as a constituent member of the Catholic Church in Ireland exists to promote the teachings of the Catholic Church. This includes the following ministry with children, as defined in Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016:

  • Celebrating the Eucharist and other Sacraments
  • Sacramental preparation of children including school visitation
  • Retreat/overnight pilgrimage (1-2 times per year)

 

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Principles to safeguard children from harm are:

  1. The safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Through training, communication and quality assurance, we will ensure that we create safe environments for children and young people and those who work with them.
  2. The best interests of the child remain paramount.
  3. Children have a right to be heard, listened to and taken seriously.
  4. Parents/carers have a right to respect and should be consulted with in matters involving their child or family.
  5. Mandatory reporting: Each of us has a duty to notify the statutory authorities of suspicions, concerns, knowledge or allegations that a child is being or has been abused:
  • physically
  • emotionally
  • sexually
  • through neglect.
  1. A proper balance must be struck between protecting children and respecting the rights and needs of parents/carers and families.
  2. Child protection is a multiagency, multidisciplinary activity. Agencies and professionals must work together in the interests of the children.

 

Risk Assessment of Potential Harm to Children while availing of our services

A formal hazard assessment is completed when planning activities with children. The requirement for the completion of hazard assessments in advance of an event is stated in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Safeguarding Procedures. Included in this procedure is the need for a review of activities subsequently. Any issues are incorporated into the hazard assessment and risk management plan for future activities.

The table below sets out the identified risks attached to any Missionaries of the Sacred Heart activity for children and young people:

 

 Risk Identified

Procedure in place to manage identified risk

Those that work with children are unsafe to do so

 

Safe recruitment procedure

Those that work with children behave inappropriately towards them

 

 

Those that work with children fail to respond appropriately to allegations or concerns of abuse

 

 

Children or guardians are not aware of different roles and responsibilities of people working with children and who they can speak to if they have a concern

 

Unsafe environments putting children at adverse risk eg. Inadequate supervision, activities not well planned, risky physical environment

 

Those who wish to exploit children through the use of digital media in our ministries are able to do so

 

The procedures for safeguarding children fail to be implemented

  • Code of behaviour
  • Whistleblowing policy
  • Complaint procedure
  • Training policy

 

  • Procedure for responding to allegations and concerns of abuse
  • Communication policy
  • Training policy

 

  • Safeguarding poster displayed prominently
  • Communication policy

 

 

Procedures for creating safe environments

  • Supervision ratios
  • Hazard assessment
  • Guidance on trips away

 

Procedures on use of technology

 

 

Policy on quality assurance

 

 

 

Procedures

All procedures outlined in the risk assessment above are available at Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Safeguarding Procedures www.mscmissions.ie. The procedures listed above include the following:

  • Procedure for the management of allegations of abuse or misconduct against workers/ volunteers of a child availing of our service. (Standard 2: Responding to allegations; Standard 4: Management and care of respondents)
  • Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children.
  • Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.
  • Procedure for the reporting of child protection or welfare concerns to Tusla.
  • Procedure for maintaining a list of the persons (if any) in the relevant service who are mandated persons.
  • Procedure for appointing a relevant person: This person fills the position of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Safeguarding Manager.

 

Implementation

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart is committed to safeguarding children through the implementation of Safeguarding Children Policy and Standards for the Catholic Church in Ireland 2016. This Child Safeguarding Statement and our practice supports our desire to keep children safe from harm while in our ministries. As part of our annual audit against the relevant indicators of the child safeguarding standards, we will review the effectiveness of our practice as outlined in this statement and will revise, as appropriate.

 

Signed: Fr Carl Tranter Provincial Superior

Date: 5th March 2018

 

For any queries relating to this statement please contact Claire Tobin, Designated Liaison Person, on safeguarding@mscmissions.ie or 01-4906622.

A De La Salle Future

Feb 9, 2018

The De La Salle Brothers have visited the Loreto Schools, Rumbek, on a number of occasions to date, the first of which was in January 2014. This month, we are delighted to hear, they have started the foundation for what will become a De La Salle Boys Secondary School in the Rumbek community to act as the counterpart to the work of the Loreto Girls Secondary School. 

 

This month, Br Bill, Br Pierre and Br Amilcare (featured in the photograph below) visited Loreto and met with young men from the community who will be attending the inaugural class of the De La Salle Boys Secondary School in March 2018.

 

Brothers Bill, Pierre and Amilcare (far left, centre and far right) stand with the De La Salle Boys Secondary School Inaugural Class of 2018.

 

The Brothers visited for 3 days to forge the path for two more brothers who will be arriving in a few months to start the school. The local community has agreed to donate land to support the Brothers’ work, ensuring that the young men of the community have access to a high quality and relevant education.

 

For the young men finishing Primary 8 at the Loreto Primary School this means a bright future where they can dictate their own success and futures through hard work and perseverance. The De La Salle Boys Secondary School will start their classes within the Loreto Compound while they wait for their own buildings to be built. It is the birth of a new school, and a new hope in Maker Kuei for the community’s vulnerable young men.