Oct 24, 2019
Our Mozambique mission spent a wonderful weekend marking the Diocesan Day of Youth in August, with the Bishop of Pemba, Bishop Luiz Fernando, celebrating the opening Mass.
At the opening Mass, Bishop Luiz reminded the young people in attendance that the young Catholic must always bear in mind the joy of the Lord and the workings of Christ within society, and to always keep an open mind to saying yes to God. “Only then”, he said, “will it be worth the participation”.
The Diocesan Day of Youth was a real moment of unity for the young people of the area. Throughout the weekend, the group reflected on celebrating faith in Christ, establishing a positive relationship between the local youths, acknowledging the challenges faced by the parish, and establishing harmony and peace in the region.
The celebrations served to greatly increase the sense of friendship and togetherness amongst the youth of the diocese, encouraging young people to come together in their faith and in the love of the Lord.
Above all, Bishop Luiz encouraged the young people present to be vigilant in hearing and understanding the call of the Lord, and being available to serve Him in any way they can. “In addition,” he said, “meet with God through prayer, have joy, says yes to God, and have faith.”
Oct 17, 2019
August saw great celebrations for our MSC community in the Democratic Republic of Congo, when four MSC novices came to the end of the novitiate journey and made their First Professions.
“First Profession takes place at the conclusion of the Novitiate, which is a one-year period of intense spiritual preparation for young men who wish to become Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. From this point on, they are now members of the Society, with temporary status, and they will continue their studies in preparation for the day when they will make their Final Profession as full members of the Society.” (Fr Joseph McGee MSC)
The ceremony took place in Kimwenza, outside the city of Kinshasa. The three-hour Eucharistic celebration was led by the Regional Superior of the Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fr Dieudonné Kenda MSC, and was a powerful and joyful celebration for all involved. There were approximately 130 priests and members of the religious community in attendance, along with family and friends of the newly professed MSC brothers, and members of the local congregation who all wanted to celebrated the beginning of a new chapter for these four young men.
The newly professed MSC members will now continue with their studies, while also engaging in different types of ministry and pastoral experiences as part of the MSC community. We wish them all the very best on the beginning of this new leg of their journey, and our prayers are with them all.
Congratulations and blessings to the newly professed Br Roland Kaboré MSC, Br Sylvain Mingou MSC, Br Alfred Gomis MSC, and Br Brinda Nguele MSC!
Images via @AmeturMSC on Facebook.
Oct 14, 2019
The end of September marked the beginning of the 25th MSC General Conference, which took place in the city of Busan, South Korea.
Due to start on September 23rd, the opening of the Conference was postponed by a day due to a tropical typhoon passing through the south of the peninsula, which was the cause of a number of delayed and cancelled flights into Korea. Many Provincial Leaders were affected and had to find alternative means of transport as a result of the storm, including the Irish Provincial, Fr Carl Tranter MSC, who was fortunate enough to be able to get a bus from Seoul to Busan when his connecting flight was cancelled.
The Ametur MSC Facebook page shared a collection of “HEARTbits” from the Conference, snippets of prayer, meditation, and reflection from the gathering.
“Our being MSC doesn’t call us to come out of ourselves. Coming out of ourselves is why we are MSC. This is the ecstatic nature of religious vocation, to go out beyond ourselves, as did Jesus, following him,” reflected Fr Chris Chaplin MSC.
“Everyone needs support from each other. Even leaders are not self-sufficient,” noted Br McKee, following a discussion on leadership. “Everyone has to engage in the transforming process so as to open up new possibilities and listening attitude is requirement.”
“We should meditate in the gospel but that is not enough, we have to put it into effect. Look into the depths of the hearts, the inner depth of the heart.”
Renewed focus and energy for mission was another topic of discussion, with a focus on Pope Francis’ invitation to missionaries. “Francis wrote letter to the members of the consecrated life, he told us to wake up the world; we have to be expert of communion, to go forth, to live the gospel radically and sincerely. We should meditate in the gospel but that is not enough, we have to put it into effect. Look into the depths of the hearts, the inner depth of the heart.”
“We have a common mission,” it was noted, and “the spirit that we are one big family. We need to LISTEN and not be AFRAID.”
“In today’s world, generative listening is prophetic. Let us make it a reality for all of us.”
The closing remarks of the Superior General, Fr AbzalĂłn Alvarado MSC, reinforced the sense of unity and mission that shone through during the Conference proceedings:
“This morning the Gospel invited us to be leaders, but different from the leaders of a world that is often manipulative and inhuman. To be humble servants, forming ourselves and offering formation to be leaders according to the Heart of Jesus.
We have gathered here together, and we have listened to each other. Together we have co-created the atmosphere of this conference. We have tried to practice not only factual but empathic listening that has opened our hearts. And we have also experienced moments of generative listening, when we opened our will to listen to the life that was emerging from the depths of our confreres, and in this way we listened to the life that is emerging from within each MSC Entity, the older and the younger entities.
Here we have shared and deepened the need to live a leadership that must be for the present moment, with all that this present moment has to offer. Not a leadership lived out of nostalgia for a past that, although valuable, no longer exists. A leadership that listens more than it speaks. When it does speak, it should be the fruit of empathic and generative listening, and not simply after downloading.
We need to build bridges of communication and trust between us and among our entities. We would offer a great witness if we could learn in all our Provinces to feel that we are a WHOLE that is not simply the sum of the parts. My entity is neither better nor worse than any other.
We do not love what we don’t know. How can we come to love each other more, to love the brother who comes to my province if I don’t know anything about his culture?
We are aware that we are returning to our different realities, realities which today are lived in uncertainty and chaos.
In today’s world, generative listening is prophetic. Let us make it a reality for all of us.”
Ahead of the Conference, Irish Provincial Leader Fr Carl Tranter wrote, “We pray that this Conference will be a moment of grace for our entire Congregation” – and indeed, it truly was, as our MSCs look ahead to the future with renewed hope.
Images via Ametur MSC on Facebook.
Read more about the 25th MSC General Conference from the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Australia.
Oct 10, 2019
On Sunday, September 22nd, the parishioners of the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road in Cork came out in great style for a family fun day, to raise funds for our Venezuelan mission. Our MSCs have spent over 50 years working in regions of profound hardship in Venezuela, and today, the population is deep in the worst political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis ever experienced in the country’s history.
The day began after 10.00am Mass, and was filled to the brim with fun, games, and a sweet treat or two! There were raffles, face-painting, art projects for children, tables selling jewellery, bags, clothes, Delph, lamps, cushions, and homeware, plus enough tea, coffee, and cakes to keep everyone going through the day.
At 2.00pm, there was music and entertainment, and at 7.00pm that evening, participants in a table quiz filled the hall. There were plenty of spot prizes awarded during the evening’s festivities, and everyone involved had a wonderful time.
Fr Vincent Screene MSC is currently back in Ireland from the Venezuelan mission. He came to support the fundraising on the day, and explained to those in attendance just how much of a struggle life is for the people of Venezuela in the grip of the current social and political turmoil.
The fundraising day raised over €8,000 for our Venezuelan mission. This will make an enormous difference to the communities served by our missionaries in the troubled region, and we send our sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated for their enthusiasm and generosity of time and spirit.
“With the help and support of friends, a lady called Mary Kate made this possible,” said Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, director of the MSC Missions Office on the Western Road. “Special thanks to Mary Kate, our friends, and all the businesses who so kindly donated spot prizes.”
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN VENEZUELA
Find out more about our missionary outreach in Venezuela
Read Fr Michael’s diary from his 2019 visit to Venezuela
Sep 30, 2019
Welcome to the Winter 2019 edition of the MSC Message!
• Read a special seasonal greeting from Fr Michael O’Connell MSC, Director of the MSC Missions Office.
• Catch up with the latest news from the mission fields, with updates from our ongoing projects in Mozambique, Africa, and Venezuela.
• Find out about this year’s MSC pilgrimage to Fatima.
• MSC Cardinal John Ribat speaks out about climate change and the vital importance of awareness and education.
• Read all about Br Giacomo Gelardi’s missionary journey and the path that led him to a vocation with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
Read the MSC Message Winter 2019
Sep 26, 2019
On August 12th, the Indonesian Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart officially welcomed 25 young men to their Postulancy Programme in a beautiful Eucharistic celebration, held at the MSC Skolastikat Pineleng Chapel in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The Ametur MSC Facebook page shared photos of the event, noting that the homily was celebrated by Fr Hubert Berry MSC, who spoke inspiring words of motivation and encouragement to the young postulants. “Surely, there will be many challenges and struggles,” he said, “but don’t worry – you are not alone.”
“Be confident, and rely on Him,” continued Fr Hubert, “for He will never leave you.”
Last year, Indonesia fell victim to the devastating effects of a series of natural disasters, with over 2.4 million people affected in all.
In late September 2018, an earthquake and tsunami killed almost 2,300 people across the regions of Palu, Sigi, and Donggala. A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit the Sulawesi province, which in turn generated a deadly tsunami with waves measuring up to 10 feet high. Just a few days later, in early October, a volcano erupted in North Sulawesi, spewing lava and ash 19,600 feet into the air. Floods, landslides, and mudslides destroyed homes, buildings, vehicles roads, and bridges. Children were separated from their parents and families were torn apart. Over 220,000 people were displaced from their homes, and over 1,300 people were reported missing.
A short time later, in late December, a ruinous tsunami swept along the Sunda Strait, injuring over 14,000 people, and causing further catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and the local landscape.
MSCs in Indonesia provided emergency response throughout this terrible time, and are continuing their work as they help devastated families as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods following this series of disasters. The official acceptance of 25 young men to this year’s Postulancy Programme is testament to the wonderful work done by the Indonesian Province of the MSC, and we keep these young men and their leaders in our prayers as they embark on this new and exciting journey.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN INDONESIA
