Jul 31, 2017
Throughout the month of June 2017, the MSC community in Venezuela have joined together in celebration of 50 years of MSC ministry in the region. Since 1967, when four Irish Missionaries of the Sacred Heart began the first MSC mission in Maracaibo, our missionaries have been working to bring hope to local people struggling with extreme poverty and hardship.
On June 10th, 2017, parishioners and MSCs alike gathered to mark the Golden Jubilee of our Venezuelan mission in the parish of Nuestra Senora De La Paz La Victoria. Here, local parishioners were joined by Fr Joseph McGee MSC, members of the MSC community from near and far, and well-wishers from all over the city of Maracaibo.
In his homily, which reflected on the mystery of God as it is revealed in the Trinity, Archbishop Ubaldo Santana quoted from Pope Benedictâs writings on Christian hope, Spe Salvi.
âOur encounter with God who in Christ has shown us his face and opened his heart must be, for us too, not just informative but performative,â said Archbishop Santana. In essence, this encounter with Jesus must change our lives so that we know we are redeemed. We are invited into a personal relationship with God, Father, Son, and Spirit â the God who has opened his heart to us in Christ.
Embracing the mission of MSC founder Fr Jules Chevalier
This thought is very close to the spirituality of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, who have worked in the diocese for the past 50 years. The Archbishop acknowledged the great efforts that have been made by the MSC over the years â efforts that have required a significant investment of time and financial resources, incorporating the building of churches, educational facilities, and medical centres. In all of these places, reflected the Archbishop, local people have been able to find healing, peace, and dignity as children of God. Giving thanks to the community of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Archbishop recognised the dedication and perseverance of Irish MSCs since 1967, when they were first invited into the region by Archbishop Roa Perez.
Archbishop Santana also expressed his gratitude that the presence of Irish MSCs has inspired young Venezuelan men to devote themselves to religious life as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, continuing the great work that has already been done in the region. He noted that the MSC founder, Fr Jules Chevalier, wanted the Sacred Heart of Jesus to be known and loved everywhere, and today, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart continue to embrace this mission in Venezuela and across the world.
Celebrations in the streets of La Santa Cruz
A second thanksgiving Mass was celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Monsignor Jesus Gonzales de Zarete on Saturday, June 17th, in the parish of La Santa Cruz, Caracas. To facilitate the crowds in attendance, Mass was celebrated outside the parish church, where the street was closed off for the day. The Bishop reflected that it was very appropriate to celebrate Mass on the street with the people, as the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are not simply missionaries of the church or the sacristy. Instead, MSCs bring the message of the Gospel to the streets, to the homes and hearts of the people to whom they minister. The celebration of Mass outdoors on the street, welcoming all who wished to take part, perfectly reflected the missionary nature of the work of the MSC.
Over the past 50 years, triumphs and achievements have been accompanied by trials and struggles for the MSC community in Venezuela, reflected the Bishop. This MSC mission has not just been about giving; Irish MSCs have walked alongside the people of Maracaibo and Caracas throughout the years, and have been enriched by the spirit of these communities. Though times are still difficult, great improvements have also been made, and MSCs and the local community are encouraged to trust in Godâs loving presence as they move forward together.
The Bishop specifically mentioned Fr Joe Ruddy MSC, who was one of the first Irish MSCs to undertake ministry in Venezuela, and who is retiring from the mission this year. When the mission first began, the people of Caracas were in desperate need of help, and many challenges faced Fr Joe and his fellow MSCs. Over the years, Fr Joe has never hesitated to go out into the streets or up to the hills to visit the homes of local people. Fr Joe and his fellow missionaries have never been too proud or too afraid to climb the steps of the barrios of La Santa Cruz to help local people living in the slums. Together, Fr Joe and the Irish MSCs have enabled local people to take pride in their parish as they join together as a community.
Looking to the future
The MSC mission first arrived in Venezuela in 1967, at the invitation of Pope Saint John XXIII and the Vatican Council. 1960’s Venezuela was a very different place from the one it is today â a place that was at the time recognised as âan immigrantsâ paradiseâ. Emigrants came from the United States, Europe, and all over the world. Today, Venezuela is a changed society, one where poverty, hardship, and social and political unrest motivate young Venezuelans to go abroad to create better lives for themselves. During this time of great suffering and uncertainty, the Bishop encouraged the gathered assembly not to lose hope that one day, their country will once again become a place where everyone can find prosperity, peace, and justice.
PLEASE HELP US TO CONTINUE OUR VITALÂ WORK IN VENEZUELA
Jul 24, 2017
During the summer of 2017, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart reached out to support students at Berea-Albion Football Club and Academy, South Africa, where disadvantaged youths are given hope and encouragement as they strive for a better future.
Cougar Park in Pretoria, South Africa, is home to Berea-Albion Football Club and Academy, which was established in 2009 by Stephen Haupt and Neil Bosman.
Students of the academy live in Cougar Park on a full-time basis, where they are entirely devoted to pursuing their dreams of playing football at a professional level while also learning essential social skills and receiving academic tuition. âThe majority of disadvantaged youths in our development programmes are orphans, or they come from single parent families,â says co-founder Neil Bosman. âThey have struggled with poverty, HIV/AIDS, abuse, alcoholism, and poor educational backgrounds.â
The academy is situated on 4.2 hectares of land in the Magaliesberg Mountains of Pretoria. Here, the rough grassland of the mountainous terrain has been developed to create a working football club and academy where students can fully focus on their studies without the distractions of urban life.
The academy is currently home to 50 students, who share two full-sized playing fields, a small pitch, a gym, a pool, a study centre, and a residential area.
âExcellent preparation for the next step in education, in work, and in life.â
At Cougar Park, students also attend Bosman College, where the focus is on providing âa sound education baseâ as well as full professional training in football. The academy aims to promote âa sense of structure that is conducive to diligent and consistent academic performance, while also allowing the necessary flexibility for the training programmeâ.
The 30-week academic courses are run via the University of Cambridgeâs International Examinations programme, which are designed to give each student an âexcellent preparation for their next steps in education, in work, and in lifeâ. Students receive support from tutors as they gain experience in practical problem-solving and social skills, while also networking with fellow students from around the world. A trained facilitator oversees the studentsâ daily progress, and written exams take place at a local accredited exam centre.
âPassio Pro Perfectoâ
The academyâs motto is âPassio Pro Perfectoâ (a passion for perfection), and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are delighted to be able to support both staff and students in their future endeavours as they pursue their passion.
âWe sincerely thank you for your generous donation of âŹ10,000, and particularly for your support and interest in our youth development programmes. Your donation is being put to very good use as we make sure that our young footballers are housed, clothed, educated, trained, and nutritiously fed at Cougar Park.â
Neil Bosman, co-founder of Berea-Albion Academy
The Berea-Albion Academy Mission
âą To provide the best football development programme in South Africa, and to compete with the best internationally.
âą To promote skills and expertise locally, and to develop a culture of good sportsmanship, friendship, and hospitality.
âą To develop self-belief in our players, and to create a safe and enjoyable environment within a self-sustainable facility.
âą To establish a passion for perfection (âPassio Pro Perfectoâ).
Jul 18, 2017
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were delighted to welcome His Eminence Cardinal Christoph Schönborn OP to the Sacred Heart Church, Cork, on Friday, 14th June 2017.
Cardinal Schönborn, Archbishop of Vienna and editorial secretary for the Catechism of the Catholic Church, celebrated Mass in the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road to mark the 25th anniversary of the promulgation of the Catechism. Cardinal Schönborn was joined in the celebration by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, and Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan, Bishop of Waterford and Lismore.
The 3.00pm Mass followed a day-long event at the Kingsley Hotel in Cork, where students of the Catechism gathered for a day of music, reflection, prayer, and a keynote address from Cardinal Schönborn. 
The Cardinal also preached a moving homily at the afternoon Mass as he reflected on the significance of the Catechism in todayâs world and for generations to come.
Cardinal Schönborn spent some time studying with Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), and together, the pair co-edited the Catechism of the Catholic Church ahead of its publication in 1992.
âHaving the general editor of the Catechism in Ireland is a great blessing,â said MĂĄirĂn NĂ ShĂșilleabhĂĄin, national co-ordinator of Adult Studies of the Catechism. âThe opportunity to listen to Cardinal Schönborn reflect on the Catechism will give us further insight into the Gospel of the family at this moment in our history⊠This event will help us to increase our knowledge of what we believe as Catholics and will help us to enrich our understanding of the dignity of the Christian family.â
A full house at the Sacred Heart Church marked the 25th anniversary Mass as a resounding success, proudly celebrated by the MSC community, local parishioners, and adult students of the Catechism from near and far.
Jul 15, 2017
Reflection: The word of God inspires eager longing and hope.
The Gospel (Matthew 13:1-23)
A sower went out to sow.
“In todayâs Gospel reading, after an introduction, there are three (or even four) sections, all united in theme. First, there is the introduction, giving the setting of this parable, or parables in general. After the parable of the sower itself, there is a question from his disciples as to why Jesus had chosen this particular method of instruction.
His answer is that his preaching of the Gospel has a dimension beyond the human. It is about the revelation of Godâs plan of salvation, hidden for ages past but being revealed in his own person and preaching. It requires the gift of divine faith on the part of his hearers if they are to understand it properly. The apostles have this divine gift. The mysteries of the kingdom have been revealed to them, and they are blessed, they are happy, since many holy people throughout Israelâs history had longed to see and hear what the apostles saw and heard but never did.”
The word of God lasts forever.
“The text then goes on to give Jesusâ interpretation of the parable, an interpretation that has held true down through the centuries. Jesus, who first told the parable, does not say that he is the sower. The sower is anyone preaching the message down through the centuries. The first listeners would easily understand the imagery used, with various types of soils side by side: paths, thorns, stones, and rocks, as well as some rich soil. Church membership in any age will have a mixture of people corresponding to these soils. The parable has a message for all: to pray to have the gift of hearing faithfully the word of Godâs mystery revealed in Christ, and thanking God and rejoicing that to us too has been revealed the mystery hidden from many just people for untold ages, but made known to us through Christ and his Church.
As reflection on the Gospel reading, we may recall that the theme of eager longing and hope runs through the three readings today, and invites us to reflect on them in our dialogue with our modern situation. The people of Israel, to whom the first reading was addressed, were in very low spirits during the exile in Babylon, with little hope of any meaningful future. The prophet communicated Godâs word to them that the divine plans were quite different. God was with them in the past and the word of their God lasts forever. A new age was in store for them â a divine promise that awoke their eager longing for the better life. It is this longing and hope that led to action on their part.”
We should not worry if the seed often falls on rocky or barren ground, or among thorns and thistles.
“Likewise, in the text of Paul to the Romans, there are references to the groaning and eager awaiting of creation itself for the revelation of the freedom and the glory that are proper to the children of God. Paul regards creation as lacking something of what it was intended originally to have. Today, creation â the environment â is regarded as being in danger; not from God, but from human neglect or misuse. There is a special interest in the protection of the environment, something very much in keeping with the text of Paul read today.
With regard to the image of the sower, one may observe that the sower and seed sowing are very much part of Irish political and revolutionary history: the seed sown by former generations comes to fruition in a later harvest and inspires action by later generations. However, we should not forget that every believer in God and in Jesus is a seed sower, by their word and example. They, we, should not worry if the seed often falls on rocky or barren ground, or among thorns and thistles. This has always been the case. But there will always be fertile soil, immediately or in the future. Let the seed sowing continue.”
Fr Martin McNamara MSC
For more reflections from Fr Martin, please visit the Sunday Scripture Online.
Jul 10, 2017
Congratulations are in order for eight of our MSC priests, who celebrated their Jubilees of Ordination at the Sacred Heart Church, Cork, on June 30th, 2017.
L-R: Jubilarians Fr Jerry Daly (Kilcrohane), Fr SeĂĄn Horgan (Kilshannig), Fr John McCarthy RIP (Kilfinane), Fr Tim Gleeson (Glenfesk), Fr Bill Collins (Kerry), Fr Charles Conroy (Cork City), and Fr Pat O’Sullivan (Glengarriff). (Image: Mike English)
Between them, Fr Charles Conroy, Fr Pat OâSullivan, Fr John McCarthy (RIP), Fr SeĂĄn Horgan, Fr Bill Collins, Fr Jerry Daly, Fr Tim Gleeson, and Fr Kevin Blade have devoted 395 years of ministry to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
On a sunny June afternoon, these MSCs joined together with their families, friends, and the MSC community to celebrate what was, in the words of the then Provincial Leader Fr Joseph McGee, âa great occasionâ.
âThese men, having heard the call of God, recognised it as a precious gift. They have dedicated their lives in His service and in the service of the people of God,â said Fr Joseph at the opening of the Jubilee Mass. âThis year is a favourable and blessed year for each of them â a time to remember, a time to rejoice, and a time to give thanks.â
Provincial Leader Fr Joseph McGee MSC leads the celebrations for the MSC Jubilarians at the Sacred Heart Church, Cork. (Image: Mike English)
The Fr Joseph McGee MSC went on to say:
âToday, we salute each of them, and we thank them for their outstanding commitment to Christ and for their dedicated ministry in many different countries. Between them, they have proclaimed the Good News of the love and compassion of the Heart of Christ to people throughout the world, particularly in different areas of the Irish Province â Ireland, England, Southern Africa, the United States, Venezuela, Russia, and Rome.â
We wish the Jubilarians all the very best as they continue their work across the world, sharing the love of the Sacred Heart that is so alive and active in their own hearts and lives.
Congratulations to the JubilariansâŠ
25 years:
Fr Kevin Blade MSC
50 years:
Fr Charles Conroy MSC
Fr Pat OâSullivan MSC
Fr John McCarthy MSC (RIP)
Fr SeĂĄn Horgan MSC
Fr Bill Collins MSC
60 years:
Fr Jerry Daly MSC
Fr Tim Gleeson MSC
Jun 30, 2017
This June, as children all over the world prepare to put away their pencil cases and pack up their bags at the end of another school year, Pope Francis held a special audience at the Vatican with a group of school-going children from Communion and Liberationâs âThe Knights of the Grailâ educational initiative. Here, he gave some sound words of advice on the difficult business of growing up.
âLife is a long series of hellos and goodbyes, so donât be afraid to let go of the past; remember old friends, but keep moving and be open to the new,â he said. Over the course of the 45-minute question and answer session, the Holy Father addressed questions about leaving school and moving on, like âWhy do I have to change everything?â and âWhy does growing up make me so afraid?â
Pope Francisâ responses were encouraging:
âLife is a constant âgood morningâ and âfarewellâ,â the Pope said â with the goodbyes something being forever. âYou grow by encountering and by taking your leave,â he continued. âIf you donât learn to say goodbye well, you will never learn how to encounter new people.â
Any moments of change in life are âa challengeâ, he empathised, but âin life, we have to get used to this journey of leaving something behind and encountering something newâ.
“There is no magic wand, but there are little things we can learn to do every day.â
Speaking to a teenage girl who shared her fear about moving forward to secondary school, the Pope said:
âLook at that wall. Whatâs behind it?â
âI donât know,â replied the girl.
âBut if you go outside, to the countryside, what do you see?â Pope Francis responded.
âI see everything,â she said.
âEverything! You see the horizon. We have to learn to see life by looking at the horizons. Look at the wall and think about the horizon that lies in the countryside.â
The Holy Father encouraged the thousands of youths gathered to avoid words like âfearâ or âafraidâ, and instead to focus on the âchallengesâ, urging them to remember the phrase: âI will win this challenge or I will let this challenge defeat meâ.
Finally, Pope Francis shared his thoughts on the best way to approach life:
âYou can begin to change the world with an open heart,â he said. We should never wish ill on others, no matter how badly they may have treated you: âNever return evil with evil. Thatâs how you can change the world. There is no magic wand, but there are little things we can learn to do every day.â
For more information about the religious and educational philosophy of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, please visit CEIST.
Images of Pope Francis at the special audience sourced from Catholic News Service.
