Fr Alan MSC : Everyone is included, The Surprising Grace of Hospitality – Part 2
After a torturously long trip including a delayed flight in Addis, as well as a missed flight, an overbooked flight, and militantly disinterested support staff in Istanbul, we finally made it to Lisbon. Pilgrimages are not meant to be easy. In fact, some challenges are not only expected, but are seen as an essential part of the experience. By the time we finally touched down in Portugal we had more of our share of difficulties. Chief among these was the deepening realisation of the different status of people in our world. Those from Europe move internationally with an assumed ease that is not enjoyed by many of the rest of our world, most especially those from South Sudan.
On our arrival though everything was different. Members of our host parish greeted us in Arrivals with sandwiches, drinks and a big ‘Welcome to Portugal’ sign. In no time at all we were on our way to the seaside village of Ericeira, a world famous surfing destination, and our base for the next eight days. Fr. Tiago, the parish priest of St. Peter’s, was a whirlwind of energy and ensured we were made to feel at home. This openness to complete strangers, to people with whom there is nothing in common, except for the faith they profess is an essential part of World Youth Day. In fact, it is not exclusive. It is to offered to all, including those with whom we don’t share the same creed. As Pope Francis said in his opening address:
“Friends, I want to be clear with you, for you are allergic to falsity and empty words: in the Church, there is room for everyone. Everyone. In the Church, no one is left out or left over. There is room for everyone. Just the way we are. Everyone!”
This was especially clear to our four South Sudanese pilgrims when they arrived in Lisbon for the official opening along with 1,500,000 young people from over 200 countries. Everywhere they went people were asking where did their flag come from, who were they, were they on social media? The welcome couldn’t have been more perfect. In no time at all they were joining a conga line of pilgrims dancing around the city’s main square.
A young Brazilian man with a disability being lifted at arm’s length by his friends in his wheelchair, so that he too can see the Pope on the day of the vigil.
Credit: Fr. Omar Sánches Portillo.
In a world caught up in ever decreasing circles of exclusion and division, the Pope’s message of inclusion is not only counter cultural, but completely Biblical. Again and again in scripture we see God reach out through the other, the excluded, the unwanted. In the life of Jesus this is especially evident. Many of the youth (and adults) who come to World Youth Day have doubts and questions. In that regard they are like all of us. Here however, the questioning is encouraged, but so too is the importance of looking for answers. As Pope Francis said during the Way of the Cross on Friday:
“Have the courage, then, to replace your doubts with dreams. Replace your doubts with dreams: do not remain hostage to your fears, but set about working to realise your goals!”
The Pope sees in our youth not just a group that needs guidance, but a future Church that is taking the lead right now. Our South Sudan young women feel this acutely. They and the other members of their generation will be responsible for building up their country. They are passionate and realistic, but also optimistic. This week left them with a different vision of how the world can be. Through times of prayer, like our midnight Rosary on the beach with surf boards, to catechetical sessions where Bishops unpacked the theme of WYD from the Visitation, to liturgies that were simultaneously chaotic and prayerful, they were encouraged to become not just followers of Jesus, but disciples.
During the Vigil, just as everyone was settling down to sleep, there was a time of Adoration. To have a million and a half youth kneeling in silent prayer is a testament to the power of both the Blessed Sacrament and the youth who adore Him. At the WYD Mass Pope Francis urged everyone present and those joining us around the world online to:
“Carry on; if you fall, get back up; walk with a goal in mind, and train each day of your lives. Nothing is free in life, everything has to be paid for. Only one thing is free: the love of Jesus! So, with this free gift that we have – the love of Jesus – and with the desire to carry on the journey, let us walk in hope, let us be mindful of our roots, and move forwards, without fear. Do not be afraid.”
The next World Youth Day was announced to take place in Seoul in South Korea. As we returned to South Sudan there was a feeling that next time we were definitely going to bring more youth. This encounter with the Holy Spirit, made real in the everyone who took part in the week, shows us how the world can be when we really work to be a Church on fire with faith, hope and love. Everyone is invited!
PLEASE HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN
Read more from Fr Alan’s missionary journey in South Sudan:
- Looking for a Sign on the Way to South Sudan
- Building a Better Future in South Sudan
- Christmas Greetings from Fr Alan in South Sudan
- A Cup of Sugar and Maybe a Goat
- Mock Exams and Real Life in South Sudan
- As Easy as Baking a Cake
- Holy Week on the Move
- Three Arrivals and a Party
- Celebrating the Missionary Life
- Seeds of Hope
- Young People Fighting COVID-19 in Rumbek
- Ticket to Ride
- Lions, Snakes, and the World’s Deadliest Predator
- Vaccine Status: Denied
- Christmas in South Sudan
- A Bigger Shovel
- A Week in the Life of Loreto – Bishops, graduations, an ambassador, and the Pope
- Sowing Seeds
- A visit from the MSC Superior General
- Advent
- Do They Know It’s Christmas Time?
- Fr Alan in South Sudan: The Papal Visit
- Life Goes On
- Give Peace A Chance
- The Surprising Grace of Hospitality: Part 1
MSC World Projects Appeal 2021: Holy Family Centre South Africa
Founded in 2002, the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa has been run by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart with the support of the MSC for almost 20 years, under the leadership of Sr Sally Duigan FDNSC.
The Holy Family facility provides invaluable care to young children who are seriously ill, and who, in the majority of cases, have been orphaned or abandoned. These children are primarily HIV positive and are in need of specialised care.
“The reasons for admission to the Holy Family Centre vary, but many children have been abandoned, sexually abused, physically abused, orphaned,or made vulnerable because of HIV/AIDS,” says Sr Sally. “Some come from horrific backgrounds and arrive here very ill, malnourished, frightened, lacking social skills, and generally very bewildered.”
The Holy Family Care Centre is, above all, a place of family, unity, and love.
“We love these children unconditionally,” says Sr Sally. “It doesn’t take long for them to feel at home and to change once they feel loved and cared for.”
With the resources to accommodate 70 children, the centre’s facilities are stretched to full capacity and beyond on a daily basis. Today, 76 children are resident at the centre, and of this number, 56 children attend the local primary school.
-
- The Holy Family facility provides invaluable care to young children who are seriously ill, and who, in the majority of cases, have been orphaned or abandoned.
-
- “We love these children unconditionally,” says Sr Sally. “It doesn’t take long for them to feel at home and to change once they feel loved and cared for.”
Last year, due to the challenges brought about by COVID-19, Sr Sally and the Holy Family team made the decision to home school the children for the year.This has proven to be very beneficial for the students, particularly those children with special needs who require extra care and attention.
Now that the school is returning for the new year, the Holy Family children are in need of help. The students need uniforms, shoes, books, pens, pencils,and bags, to prepare for their return to school and to be able to receive an education that will give them a solid foundation for a brighter, more hopeful future.
From pens and pencils to full school uniforms, even a small donation will make a big difference to Sr Sally and the Holy Family team.
Can you help to educate the Holy Family children?
“It is with deep appreciation that I say ‘Thank you!’ In the past year, you have helped our ministries very significantly, and in this time of uncertainty, you are helping us to help people affected by the coronavirus pandemic all over the world.”
“May you be blessed! Be assured of our continued prayers for your intentions, through the intercession of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.”
Sr Marife Mendoza FDNSC
Congregational Leader of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart
CAN YOU HELP EDUCATE THE HOLY FAMILY CHILDREN?
Your support greatly appreciated at Berea-Albion FC & Academy
Five academy learners that are greatly benefiting from your extremely generous donation very gratefully received : Koketso Mamogopodi, Lucky Marema, Vokois Mohlabini, Thato Moeti and Litha Lugalo.
Last year as part of our World Missions Appeal you helped us aid the students at Berea-Albion FC & Academy in Pretoria South Africa and we are glad to report the donations have been put to good use. The Academy helps young disadvantaged learners through quality education, accommodation, housing, nutrition, football training and development for a better future life. These youths often have struggled with poverty, HIV/AIDS, abuse, alcoholism, and poor educational backgrounds.
-
- The community come together to erect the water tanks
-
- The water tanks in situ, this helps them have a cleaner water supply.
We are pleased to say that since then they have been able to fund the erection of water tanks and buildings which include an eatery/dining area and outdoor meeting and entertainment area for our academy learners.
-
- Outbuildings at Berea-Albion being constructed
-
- Newly erected outbuildings
Neil Bosman, co-founder of the Academy has expressed sincere gratitude for your continued support .
CAN YOU HELP OUR MSC MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA?
Letter from Sr Clotilde in Senegal
Dear Father Michael,
Greetings from Kaolack in Senegal where we have a school that starts from nursery school to the whole primary school. The total number of pupils is 536 and there are 24 employees. Normally the school is full of pupils who study their lessons and play during break times. We are proud of our school that we have built over many years with the help of donor agencies and local contributions.
The arrival of the Coronavirus in Senegal has caused suffering for many people. About 12,000 people were diagnosed positive and about 260 people died. Unfortunately, with this situation many people have lost their income and are struggling to provide food for their families.
Our school has been closed since March, which means there is no money from school fees. This is why we have not been able to fulfil our responsibility to the staff, each of whom has a family to support, to clothe and to care for.
I was very worried about this without being sure what I could do because we had no money to help the staff. It is now that I learned that your generous donors could help me with 2,500 euros.
For me, and for these families, you have given us a lot of relief and support. We are very grateful for this act of generosity to us that we will never forget.
We express our gratitude to you and your donors and assure you of our fervent prayers.
We are all united in our mission of making the Sacred Heart of Jesus known and loved everywhere!
Sr Clotilde NGOM, fndsc
Burkina Faso OLSH Sisters sincerely thanks their donors
-
- The girls knitting in Burkina Faso
-
- Sr Brigitte, Sr Christelle and Sr Pascaline who are helping to look after the girls and little Colette.
“We would like to offer our sincere thanks to the donors who made it possible for us to send 3000 euro to the Centre.”
Sister Adjouma Marie, fndsc
We recently received some news of extreme gratitude from the OLSH Sisters at the Notre Dame of the Sacred Heart Centre of Untandeni, Burkina Faso which aids the education and needs of impoverished young girls who have been marginalised. The sisters do amazing work with these girls and are very appreciative of the funds they have received with the help of you our generous donors. The Girls’ Center in Untandeni, Fada, in Burkina Faso whose building was funded by the FDNSC Australian Province, the MSC Mission Office and the Australian Overseas Aid Fund and the OLSH Sisters who are on mission at the Girls’ Center live in a convent situated in the same property.
-
- Weaving at the centre
-
- Teaching literacy at the schools
-
- Weaving for the future at the centre
At present, the Centre has 16 girls. The 16th is little Colette who was abandoned under a tree next to our community. Among the 15, not including little Colette, there are five who are studying normally, and 10 who are not enrolled at school. Of these 10, there are 5 who are doing literacy studies, 2 who live in Fada and 3 who live in the Jules Chevalier community in Ouagadougou. The girls live in our care for various reasons. If we receive a financial donation, it allows us to feed the girls, to pay for their schooling and literacy, to pay for materials for knitting, weaving and sewing…
-
- The girls knitting in Burkina Faso
-
- Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Centre, Burkina Faso
MSC World Projects Appeal 2020: MSC Ministry in South Africa
Health and Education at Berea-Albion Football Club
Cougar Park in Pretoria, South Africa, is home to Berea-Albion Football Club and Academy, where disadvantaged youths are given hope and encouragement as they strive for a better future. The academy hosts up to 60 students at a time, with 50% coming from non-privileged backgrounds and 50% coming from more fortunate circumstances.
“The majority of disadvantaged youths in our development programmes are orphans, or they come from single parent families,” says co-founder Neil Bosman. “They have struggled with poverty, HIV/AIDS, abuse, alcoholism, and poor educational backgrounds.”
There are currently 21 former Berea-Albion students playing top-level football around the world. However, there is also an awareness that not all students will reach professional level, and every player is prepared for a successful future with the combination of educational, social, and health structures taught at the academy. Students attend Bosman College, where the focus is on providing “a sound education base” as well as full professional training in football.
The academy’s motto is “Passio Pro Perfecto” (a passion for perfection), and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have been glad to be able to support them in their great work in the past.
“We sincerely thank you for any support you can provide,” says Neil Bosman. “All donations are 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.”
A donation of just €50 will provide a pair of football boots and a ball for a student,
providing essential tools in these invaluable youth development programmes.
CAN YOU HELP OUR MSC MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA?
MSCs working with the Sisters of St Therese
A group of Sisters of St Therese from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are working with the MSC community in South Africa to minister to local communities in need of pastoral aid. Together, the Sisters and MSCs do great work in the area of Rabie Ridge, a very poor township in Ivory Park parish, located outside Johannesburg.
Many of the Sisters are qualified teachers, but they live on very little. They have no means of travel apart from public transport, making extended ministry more difficult, and they live on minimal food and provisions themselves.
The house in which the Sisters live has recently undergone some repairs, as it was in a terrible state – particularly the roof, which regularly let rain in. The house is now in better repair, but the Sisters are still in need of a comfortable space in which they can pray. The extension of their chapel space is estimated at a cost of just over €1,500, and this will provide the Sisters with an essential place of prayer.
The Sisters also run a feeding scheme for children in local primary school St Gemma’s, with 25 children who have been orphaned or who come from vulnerable backgrounds taking part in the programme. From Monday to Friday, the children have a nutritious lunch at 11.00am; however, the Sisters are under real pressure to maintain this due to a severe lack of funding.
It costs less than €2 per day to feed one primary school child
– a total of just over €230 for a week’s food for 25 children.
A small donation can make a great difference.
PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN SOUTH AFRICA