Sep 25, 2017
Br Domenico Rosa, newly professed member of the MSC community, reflects on his time spent working in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, as part of his novitiate year.
“I was in prison and you visited me.” (Matthew 25:36)
Towards the end of my novitiate year, I spent three weeks working in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, for my pastoral placement. I was joined there by Jaime Rosique, another of the MSC novices. This was a very important and powerful experience for me.
At the beginning, I had strange feelings about the prisoners. I could feel their suffering.
The first day I spent in one of the wings, I felt like I was in a human zoo. Smoke, cigarettes, a lot of murmuring… I thought I might be going crazy and I was looking forward to going home. However, I slowly started to feel comfortable, as the prisoners wanted to speak with us – they trusted us.
They soon learned our names, which was very nice. Kevin, a prisoner, even gave me a poem. It is said that “to love is joy, to be loved is happiness”; it was a beautiful thing to see how the prisoners love the chaplains, including Fr John O’Sullivan, one of our own Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
Here, I learned humanity – that everyone is a person before being a criminal.
On a day that I particularly remember, we were visiting Wing D for the third time, where people with psychological problems are imprisoned. I was with one of the chaplains and Jaime, my Spanish MSC brother who was also working with me in Cloverhill. We entered the TV room and the chaplain offered cigarettes to the lads, who seemed happy to meet us.
Brendan, a six-foot tall, muscular young man, looked at me in a threatening way and rotated his fists in a provocative manner. Smiling, I said, “You’re too strong for me.” It looked like he smiled too, while inhaling his cigarette.
Meanwhile, Kevin came towards me with countless handwritten papers. He recognised me and asked, “Are you Italian?” I told him that I am, and he responded, “My brother is working in Bolzano. Italy is gorgeous”.
“That’s true, Bolzano is very beautiful,” I replied. “Have you ever been there?”
“No, but I know it’s close to Austria,” Kevin said.
In the meantime, several young men pass by. Their faces have the seen hard times on the streets. They have lifeless, sad eyes that only become lively when they stop to exchange a few words with us.
I said to Kevin: “Bolzano has the largest bas-relief sculpture in Europe, built by Mussolini. He was a poet, too. Do you write a lot?”
“Yes, I always write,” Kevin responded. “Writing is healthy. I look at people and I write”.
“Me too,” I said. “I write every day. I have my own diary. I suppose you like reading as well?”
“Yes, I like English-speaking authors – British, Irish, Anglo-American writers.”
“Do you like Allen Ginsberg?” I asked.
Kevin said that he did, and I continued, “He wrote On The Road, didn’t he?”
Kevin’s answer was immediate: “No, that was Kerouac!”
“Oh yeah, how stupid! I messed up,” I admitted. “I also like the American writer Charles Bukowski. He said that people are the world’s funniest show, and you don’t need to pay the ticket.”
“I know him too,” said Kevin. Then, he changed the subject. “Next time you come, will you bring me the Bible?”
“Yes, of course, with pleasure. Have you ever written poetry?”
Kevin answered that he didn’t have time for poetry. When I suggested that he could write one for me, he willingly accepted the challenge, and then invited me to play table football. As he arranged three balls on the pitch, he told me, “In Brazil, this is how they play. A Brazilian friend who was here with me taught me.”
Later that day, I had to part ways with Kevin, but he has stayed in my mind since, and I feel that I have gained a lot from my time working in Cloverhill.
Br Domenico Rosa MSC
Sep 20, 2017
“Return to your first and only love,” said Pope Francis last Saturday, 16th September, during a private audience between his Holiness and the members of the 2017 General Chapter of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. In an uplifting, yet profoundly challenging address the Pope stated that as missionaries we are called to keep our “gaze fixed on Jesus Christ and learn from Him how to truly love with a human heart, to care for the lost and hurting members of his flock, to work for justice and show solidarity with the weak and poor.”
Pope Francis greets Fr. Paco Blanco MSC, an old firend from Argentina.
He was speaking to a group ready and open to hear his message. As we arrived that morning for the audience you couldn’t help but be awed by the surroundings of the Vatican buildings. Designed to impress, they did just that. However, in contrast to the stateliness of the architecture, the beauty of the frescos, and the livery of the Swiss Guard, Pope Francis comes across as a simple man. He entered in a low key way, smiling and acknowledging with gratitude the presence of missionaries from all around the world. It was clear he was a little tired, but he has a sense of authenticity and simplicity of presence that is both difficult to describe and utterly unforgettable. He was particularly enthused to meet an old friend of his, Fr. Paco Blanco MSC, the Provincial of our Spanish Province with whom he worked in Argentina. (more…)
Sep 18, 2017
During his novitiate year, Br Daniel Filipek MSC spent three weeks working with the community in Cuan Mhuire treatment centre. Here, he shares his thoughts on his experience.
“This was not a walk in paradise, but a real and valuable experience.”
After 10 months of novitiate life in Myross Wood, my MSC brothers and I were given the opportunity to go to work in the community on pastoral placement.
I spent three weeks in an addiction treatment centre called Cuan Mhuire. The team here offer help to people struggling with addictions such as alcoholism, drug addiction, and gambling.
Before my placement started, I was a little bit afraid – I was nervous about my role at the centre. Some of the questions I asked myself were “Will they accept me?” and “Will I get along with the community there?”
I soon realised that the community in Cuan Mhuire were very welcoming, and my apprehensions disappeared. I had several opportunities to talk to the people there, and I also lent a hand in the kitchen and the coffee bar. Often, I just listened to others talking about their daily issues and worries.
I found that the people in Cuan Mhuire were humble and meek, and I realised that their life was and is full of struggling. Meeting with them, and hearing their stories, I can only express great admiration and praise for their courage.
It was also an important experience the reality of life, particularly the life of the non-religious community. I learned to become a listener, someone who sits quietly and observes, which taught me more than direct conversation with the community members.
My three weeks of pastoral placement were not a walk in paradise, but they gave me a real and valuable experience that will be very useful in my future.
Br Daniel Filipek MSC
Sep 15, 2017
Celebrate life’s triumphs or offer comfort in troubled times with enrolment in the Holy Family Entrustment Book.
What is the Holy Family Entrustment Book?
The Holy Family Entrustment Book is a one-year enrolment in the Masses and prayers of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The personalised prayer certificate is presented in a beautiful hand-crafted card with 3D embellishment. The specially designed eight-page card is filled with thoughtful prayers and reflections, and there is additional space for a personal message in each card.
What does a one-year enrolment involve?
Those enrolled in the Holy Family Entrustment Book are remembered in the Masses and prayers of our MSC priests for one year. This makes the Holy Family Entrustment a lovely gift to mark a special occasion, or to offer comfort and support in times of distress.
Can I enrol a friend or loved one in the Holy Family Entrustment Book for any occasion?
Enrolments in the Holy Family Entrustment Book are made for a variety of occasions, from remembrance of a loss to the celebration of a special life event.
In today’s challenging times, many people find themselves seeking direction, encouragement, and healing through prayer. As we deal with the stresses and strains of modern life, we often feel the need for something more, and an enrolment in the Holy Family Entrustment Book offers spiritual support to those who find comfort in prayer.
Of course, the gift of a Holy Family Entrustment Book is also a wonderful way to mark an occasion or celebrate a special achievement, from birthdays and anniversaries to weddings, graduations, and baptisms. This is a particularly lovely gesture to commemorate a special family occasion or celebration.
Where can I get a Holy Family Entrustment Book?
Visit our Cards & Gifts section to order a personalised Holy Family Entrustment Book online. You can have your order delivered to your door, or we can send it directly to the person being enrolled. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us by email at info@mscmissions.ie, or by phone on +353 (0) 21 454 5704.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love.
You can also enrol your loved ones in the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart,
or the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book.
Sep 12, 2017
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are delighted to announce the election of Fr AbsalĂłn Alvarado Tovar MSC as their new Superior General. As part of our 3 week General Chapter in Rome, September 2017, we elected our first Superior General from the Global South, Fr. AbzalĂłn Tovar.
Fr AbsalĂłn Tovar MSC – Our new Superior General
Fr. AbzalĂłn, from Guatemala, was the provincial of the Central American Province. He has a Masters in Theology, as well as a PhD in Psychotherapy. He has ministered as a vocations director and a formator, and has worked in parishes in Nicaragua.
In his acceptance speech Fr. AbzalĂłn thanked God for the honour. He also thanked his brother MSCs for their trust and confidence. He promised to do the best he can to serve the Congregation and be there to animate our mission. He then went on to wash the feet of five MSCs from different continents to show the global scope of the call to service as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart.
Sep 11, 2017
Br Jaime Rosique MSC chose to spent his pastoral work placement in Cloverhill Prison, Dublin, alongside his fellow MSC brother Domenico Rosa. Here, he reflects on the lessons he learned during his three weeks in Cloverhill.
“Each of these people has a story, a load on their back that has shaped the life they have lived so far.”
When I was initially offered a choice between two pastoral placement experiences, I had little doubt as to which one I would choose. Although Cork and the L’Arche community were very appealing to me, as soon as I saw that the other possibility was to assist the prison chaplains of Cloverhill, I sensed that this was there the Lord wanted me to be. This was not the first time I has been offered that possibility as a pastoral experience, and I took the hint! Now, looking back, I can understand why He wanted me there.
The proposed placement programme covered a very busy and interactive experience. This included visiting several courts of justice, involvement in prisoners’ services such as the school or the library, a day at the visitors’ centre to experience the work done with the families of the inmates, and a breakfast at the Capuchin Day Centre, where it is not uncommon to find former prisoners once they have served their sentences.
On our induction day, we were given some reading material to help us to understand how the prison service works in Ireland, and which also provided information on some trends among the prison population (such as drugs, homelessness, and mental health issues). We were then given security instructions and introduced to several officers. Shortly, afterwards we began our visits.
The D2 Wing, where people with mental health problems are kept under close scrutiny and supervision, was the main focus of attention of our ministry. Here, we found ourselves working with the most vulnerable of prisoners. Their joyful and appreciative response to small gestures of kindness, such as simply listening to them, was overwhelming. Their gratitude made me think about my own appreciation of many things that I would often take for granted – things that mean a lot to those deprived of freedom.
The stories and anecdotes that have touched my heart are too many to be able to express them in a few lines. All I can say is that I found the experience very enriching. It has helped me to become aware of a reality that I would otherwise not have had the opportunity to experience. My time at Cloverhill has helped me to understand the many different factors that take somebody to prison, making me realise that, regardless of the offences committed, I was working with human beings who in many ways are victims themselves.
In other words, after the three weeks I spent at Cloverhill, I feel moved to remember that behind the news headlines, the court case numbers, or the PN numbers (Prisoner Numbers), there is a person. Each of these people has a story, a load on their back that has shaped the life they have lived so far – and these people and their stories have touched my own heart and life as well.
Br Jaime Rosique MSC
