This year, we’re celebrating the 60th anniversary of the MSC Missions Office on the Western Road, Cork, and as part of our anniversary commemorations, we’re looking back on old issues of our newsletter, the MSC Message, on a walk together down Memory Lane.
1995 saw the beginning of the Russian Mission for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and throughout the end of 1995 and early 1996, the MSC Message was full of fascinating reports from Fr Con, Fr Kevin, and Fr Michael in Moscow.
A new mission begins… (Autumn 1995)
Our three MSC priests, who are now in Russia, wish to thank you for your most generous support and for the huge encouragement given to them.
On August 5th, our Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork, was packed and 35 priests concelebrated at the specially arranged Mass of Missioning our three MSC priests in preparation of starting a new Mission in Russia.
Our Provincial Fr. Ciarán MacCárthaigh, MSC, who gave the homily at the mass and who also gave the Missioning Ceremony, expressed delight that the MSC were now starting a Mission in Russia.
“The sending of Fr. Michael, Fr. Connie and Fr. Kevin to serve the needs of the Russian Church will strengthen our bond of Communion with the local Church in Russia to which they are going, and the prayers we offer in this celebration are an expression of that Communion,” said Fr. Ciarán.
Each of the Missioners were called by name, prayed with, and given a Mission Cross with the words ‘Receive the sign of Christ’s Love and of the Mission for which the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart has chosen you’.
In taking on this Mission, we are extending prayer into action. And despite the huge demand on existing numbers within the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we are very conscious indeed that only 65 priests are in all of Moscow and European Russia and many of them are old.
The Catholic population needs help and guidance. Some young people have never seen a priest and are starved of any knowledge of Christ and His rich Gospel.
Pictured here after the Missioning Mass, the Missionaries with our Father General and Father Provincial. L to R: Fr. Connie Doherty MSC, The Superior General Fr. Michael Curran MSC, Fr. Michael Screene MSC, Fr. Ciarán MacCárthaigh MSC & Fr. Kevin Blade MSC.
Russia…Early Surprises! (Early 1996)
Dear Friends,
Nature made us very welcome in Moscow, in a beautiful autumn, full of colour and warmth. Red, yellow, green and gold trees greet us everywhere. The parks are still full of people, walking about or gathered around tables, playing or watching chess.
Travel surprises us. We, like everyone else, spend much time travelling. There is a superb system of buses, trolley buses, and metro. And they are always busy! Everyone seems to be moving. Fr. Con Doherty (from Thurles) thinks its “a permanent Munster Final”.
Part of the travel relates to shopping. It is a struggle to get the essentials. The many new markets around the city attract people and they all travel with their shopping bags. Come prepared as you may spot some item and it may not be there tomorrow. Food is dear but reasonably available this autumn. A few superstores have a fair range of products but are expensive. Fr. Kevin Blade has located shops that meet our essential needs.
There is a lot of activity around the city, cleaning, repair work, etc. It suggests new hope about the economy.
In spite of our study of Russian, we still feel very cut off because of our language difficulties. Rarely do we hear English, but at a Sunday Mass recently, a woman greeted me, “Dia is Muire dhuit. Tá fáilte rómhat anseo.” Well she might – all the way from Ring, Dungarvan.
We wish to thank you all for your good wishes and support for our New Mission.
God Bless you,
Fr. Michael Screene MSC.
Frs. Con Doherty, Kevin Blade & Michael Screene. In the background, one of the Kremlin chapels.
Russia (Summer 1996)
Early impressions
Everything seemed so strange as we made our way from Shermetievo Airport. Many thoughts flashed through our minds – hopes, fears, aspirations, concerns. As we turned off the main road and headed towards a rather stern and uninviting four-storey building, semi secluded by trees, and in the dark of night, we wondered what was in store. Heavy laden with luggage and tired from the journey and long airport delays.
Out and about
Very soon we began to move out and about and explore our new surroundings. One can see hundreds of people, young and old, selling their wares, from toothpaste (including the Irish Fiacla) to pet cats. Vegetable markets are also visible at every street corner. Our language inadequacy has brought us some funny moments.
We enjoyed the beauty and colour of an extended autumn. The parks are a big feature of Russian life and a contrast to the stern look of many of its buildings. In the wooded parks, with their many pathways, many stroll and chat, with dogs and kids, and, before the snow arrived, many could be seen deep in concentration around chess tables.
Pastoral Scene
Our main apostolate this year is learning Russian and we are attending classes. Recently, we attended our first pastoral council meeting. The First day was a retreat day. The second, which was attended by the Archbishop, was tough going due to our spartan Russian and two three-hour sessions. With church structures only evolving and resources very limited, one sensed the struggle facing the emerging and re-emerging Church, catechetically, socially, ecumenically, etc. We also had the opportunity to meet priests, lay people and sisters working here.
A Mafia Man?
A funny incident must be related. On our way to the vegetable market, we stopped at an Exchange Kiosk. On entering, we were approached by a 40 year old man in a leather jacket, who talked in rapid Russian. Thinking that we recognised we were foreigners and he was offering his services to change our money at the desk for us for a small tip, we politely thanked him and said we were OK. Anyway, the exchange was closed and he again approached us on the way out. He mentioned money. I thought he was looking for the price of a smoke and asking Fr. Kevin for change, gave it to him. Fr. Kevin had a good laugh. “He’s a Mafia Man,” he said, “and is asking to change your dollars black-market style. I have seen him in town.” Fancy giving charity to a banker – a Mafia banker. So there you are…
Red Square
We have been to Red Square and visited the Kremlin and all its Cathedrals. Here we saw the very ornate interior of Moscow’s principal Orthodox Church, with its many and beautiful icons, putting one in touch at once with centuries of history and the Lord of that history.
Moscow growing on us
When asked how we liked Moscow, Fr. Kevin put it well when he said, “It would grow on you.” And so it would! This is what we want to happen, to get to know people and the life and culture around us and get rooted here.
“Must sign off here as we are ‘Russin’ to catch the post!” writes Fr. Con Doherty, “but you, our benefactors, can be assured of a very special place in all our prayers here in the East.”