The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart present our Light Up a Memory Mass 2021

In November, we remember, as we pray especially for loved ones who have gone before us. This year, we invite you once again to take part in a special live streaming of our annual Light Up a Memory Mass, which will be celebrated on Saturday, November 27^th by main celebrant Fr John Fitzgerald MSC. The candlelight memorial service will take place at 6.30pm and will be streamed live from the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

Traditionally, the Month of the Holy Souls is a time to reflect and pray for friends and family who have gone to their eternal rest in the Lord’s love. Sadly, loss and grief have been companions to many during the coronavirus pandemic, and this November, we remember specially those who are no longer with us.

Each year, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart invite mission friends to send the names of their dearly departed for remembrance, and the list is kept on the altar throughout the month as we pray for their perpetual peace. Marking the end of the month of remembrance, the Light Up a Memory Mass lights up the winter darkness in honour of our faithful departed.

Since the first MSC Light Up a Memory Mass took place in 2014, this has become a much-loved tradition to close the Month of the Holy Souls. “Bereavement touches us all, and our Light Up a Memory Mass is a very special way for families to remember together,” says MSC Missions Office Director Fr Michael O’Connell, who will also be participating in this year’s ceremony. “It is a welcome moment to pause, to reflect, and to honour fond memories, with every candle a tribute to beloved friends and relatives.”

All are welcome to join us in reflection on this special night, and to submit the names of departed family, friends, and loved ones for remembrance. We would greatly appreciate your support for our ongoing mission projects, and in gratitude for your contribution, we will be glad to remember your intentions at our annual Mass. You can then submit the names of your departed loved ones online, and our MSC priests will remember them specially during our Light Up a Memory Mass.

While the pandemic has meant that the way we pray together has had to change, we remain ever united in spirit and in faith. Please join us for an evening of reflection and remembrance in honour of the loved ones who are always in our thoughts.

Find out more about our annual MSC Light Up a Memory Mass.

Please click here to watch the Light Up a Memory Mass, and all November Masses for the Holy Souls, on our live stream.

 

MSC Easter Draw 2021: €100 Shopping Voucher Winners

 

The 30 lucky winners of the €100 shopping vouchers are as follows:

 

1.A Coyle – Swords, Co Dublin.

2.N O’Keeffe – Newmarket, Co Cork.

3.B Perry – Swords, Co Dublin.

4.D Dooley – Terenure, Co Dublin.

5.D O’Donovan – Bantry, Co Cork.

6.M Fitzpatrick – Firhouse, Co Dublin.

7.H Smith – Ceanannas, Co Meath.

8.C Greenan – Castleshane, Co Monaghan.

9.D Masterson – Claremorris, Co Mayo.

10.M Boland – Broadford, Co Clare.

11.P Griffin – Shantalla, Co Galway.

12.M Elliott – Rathvilly, Co Carlow.

13.K McDermott – Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

14.S Soosai – Blanchardstown, Co. Dublin.

15.F Smyth – Blackrock, Co Dublin.

16.B Murphy – Thurles, Co Tipperary.

17.E Brophy – Tullamore, Co Offaly.

18.A O’Mahony – Bantry, Co Cork.

19.A Cowman – Millstreet, Co Cork.

20.R McDonnell – Dundalk, Co Louth.

21.P Kenny – Birr, Co Offaly.

22.J Kerins – Ballymote, Co Sligo.

23.S Danaher – Middlesex, England .

24.M Kelleher – Millstreet, Co Cork.

25.E Hughes – Stamullen, Co Meath.

26.R Healy – Griffith Place, Co Waterford.

27.P Walsh – Dunlavin, Co Wicklow.

28.M Fahy – Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

29.P & E Mullen – Ardee, Co Louth.

30.K Pierce  – Bray, Co Wicklow .

 

Congratulations Everyone!

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MSC Easter Draw 2021: €200 Shopping Voucher Winners

The 10 lucky winners of the €200 shopping vouchers are as follows:

1. M Shore – Enniscorthy, Co Wexford.

2. M Patridge – Coolock, Dublin 17.

3. R Hamrogue – Claremorris, Co Mayo.

4. C Boland – Nenagh, Co Tippperary.

5. M Howley – Moycullen, Co Galway.

6. M Doran – Tullow, Co Carlow.

7. K Dineen – Dunmanway, Co Cork.

8. D Kenny – Ballinasloe, Co Galway.

9. D Flynn – Trimaine, Co Roscommon.

10.B Irwin – Westport, Co Mayo.

 

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MSC Easter Draw 2021: Winners

MSC Easter Draw 2021

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s MSC Easter Draw!

Prize Winners:

1st Prize: €2,000 Cruise Travel Voucher

C & C Clarke

Donnybrook,

Dublin 4

2nd Prize: €1,500 Sun Holiday Voucher

B Ryan

St. Augustine’s Place ,

Limerick

3rd Prize: €1,000 City Break Voucher

J O’Connor

Killarney

Co.Kerry

4th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher

R McGrath

Dillion Street,

Co Tipperary

5th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher

S Gallagher

Drogheda

Co Louth

6th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher

May Fagan

Dunboyne

Co Meath

7th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher

Z Conroy

Naas

Co Kildare

8th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher

E Scully

Naas

Co Kildare

9th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher

L McGinty

Letterkenny

Co Donegal

10th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher

M O’Brien

Bantry

Co Cork

11th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher

J Lupton

Midleton

Co Cork

12th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher

J Quirke

Rathfarnham

Dublin 16

13th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher

D Murray

Castlerea

Co Roscommon

14th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher

E Murphy

Douglas

Cork

15th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher

M Rogan

Ennis Road

Limerick

16th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher

M Hughes

Tuam

Co Galway

17th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher

R Carney Bekan

Claremorris

Co Mayo

18th Prize: €500 Hot Air Balloon Voucher

F O’Connell

Knocknacarra

Galway

19th Prize: €500 Driving Lessons Voucher

M Keatley

Dunlavin

Co Wicklow

20th Prize: €500 Cookery Class Voucher

M O’Donoghue

ManorShannon

Co Clare.

 

View €200 Shopping Voucher Winners

View €100 Shopping Voucher Winners

All winners will be notified individually.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took part in this year’s draw.
This year’s MSC Easter Draw took place on Wednesday, March 31st 2021.

 

 

Christmas Message from Fr Michael 2020

Dear Friends,

This year is drawing to a close, and truly this has been a year like no other. We have all faced unimaginable challenges in a world that has become unrecognisable in so many ways. We have now begun to take the first tentative steps into establishing a new way of living safely, and around the world in towns and villages that have been ravaged by this deadly disease, our MSC’s are helping vulnerable families do the same.

As we planned our mission projects for 2020, we could never have dreamed that instead we would face such a struggle for survival. Each year we make every effort to run the MSC Mission Office as cost effectively as possible, with every donation we receive put to the best possible use. The progressively rising cost of necessities means that this becomes more of a challenge with every passing year and this year the impact of COVID-19 has resulted in a devastating hit to our fundraising abilities. Now more than ever, we are trying our best to do more with less..

Pope Francis recently reminded us, “To emerge from this crisis, we have to do so together; together and not alone.” I thank you with all my heart, for remaining united with us in faith and hope and for lending your support, which is quite literally a lifeline to many. I pray that you and your loved ones will have a peaceful Christmas and that the New Year will bring God’s grace in abundance.

Wishing you and yours a happy and holy Christmas,

Fr Michael O’Connell MSC

Click here to view the winners of our 2020 Christmas Raffle

MSC Easter Draw 2020: Winners

MSC Easter Draw 2020

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s MSC Easter Draw!

Prize Winners:

1st Prize: €2,000 Cruise Travel Voucher

J. Murphy,

Fermoy, Co. Cork.

2nd Prize: €1,500 Sun Holiday Voucher

P. Dalton

Tralee, Co. Kerry

3rd Prize: €1,000 City Break Voucher 

C. Mc Lean

Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal

4th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher 

C. McLoughlin

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

5th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher 

C. Watters

Ardar, Co. Donegal

6th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher 

D. Desmond

Mallow, Co. Cork

7th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher 

M. Casey

Galbally, Co. Limerick

8th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher 

 P. Kneafsey

Ballina, Co. Mayo

9th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher 

 E. Swan

Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

10th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher 

 A. O’Carroll

Oranmore,Co. Galway

11th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher 

 D. Forde

Greenmount, Cork

12th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher 

T. Collins

Bantry, Co. Cork

13th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher 

 B. Herraghty

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

14th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher 

P. O’Dea

Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

15th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher

A. Connolly

Dunmany, Co. Cork

16th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher 

S. O’Regan

Watergrasshill, Co. Cork

17th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher 

C. McLoughlin

Ballinalee Road, Co. Longford

18th Prize: €500 Hot Air Balloon Voucher 

 E.  Banville

Rathfarnham, Dublin.

19th Prize: €500 Driving Lessons Voucher 

 C. Rellis

Cork Road, Co. Waterford

20th Prize: €500 Cookery Class Voucher

 B. Lavin

Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

10 X €200 Shopping Voucher – Click to view winners

30 X €100 Shopping Voucher – Click to view winners

 

All winners will be notified individually.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took part in this year’s draw. 
This year’s MSC Easter Draw took place on Wednesday, July 1st 2020.

MSC Easter Draw 2020: €200 Shopping Voucher Winners

The 10 lucky winners of the €200 shopping vouchers are as follows:

1. A. Doyle – Farrenferris,  Cork

2. J. Costello – Lucan, Co. Dublin

3. J. McGlinchey- Dungannon, Co. Tyrone

4. L Doohan – Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

5. E. Murphy – Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny

6. T. Galvin – Lissards, Co. Cork

7. T. Quigley – Knockcroghery, Co.Roscommon

8. P. O’Mahony – Tralee, Co. Kerry

9. C. Ganley – Moate, Co. Westmeath

10. J. Buckley – Macroom, Co. Cork

Congratulations to you all! 

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MSC Easter Draw 2020: €100 Shopping Voucher Winners

 

The 30 lucky winners of the €100 shopping vouchers are as follows:

 

1. C. O’Carroll- Tralee, Co. Kerry

2. J. Appleby – Glasheen Road, Cork

3. E. Mulcahy – Dunmanway, Co. Cork

4. A. Hernon – Aran Islands, Co. Galway

5. E. Hogan- Dundrum, Co. Tipperary

6. M. Galwey – Leap, Co. Cork

7. J. Colleran- Castlebar, Co. Mayo

8. K. Rohan – Ballygunner, Co. Waterford

9. R. Finn- Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

10. M. O’Driscoll – Skibbereen, Co. Cork

11. M.Chambers – Westport, Co. Mayo

12. C. O’Keeffe- Clonakilty, Co. Cork

13. E. O’Sullivan – Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

14. R. Doyle- Castlcomer, Co. Kilkenny

15. S. Troy – Cashel, Co. Tipperary

16. P. Durand – Greystones, Co. Wicklow

17. S. Collins – Malahide, Co. Dublin

18. A. Kinsella- Drogheda, Co. Louth

19. M. Kevlihan- Navan Road, Co. Dublin

20. A. Carson – Old Park Road, Belfast

21. D. Twomey – Tralee, Co. Kerry

22. D. Randles – Killarney, Co. Kerry

23. M. McFadden – Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

24. J. Harte- Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

25. N. O’Connor – Listowel, Co. Kerry

26. N. Duffy- Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

27. K. Bent – John Street, Co. Wexford

28. E. Corrigan – Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

29. P. McGrath – Thomondgate, Co. Limerick

30. A. Yates- Birr, Co. Offaly

Congratulations Everyone! 

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A 2019 Christmas Blessing from Fr Michael

Dear Friends,

As we prepare to bid farewell to another year, I wanted to take a moment to pause in reflection and gratitude for the blessings that 2019 brought, and of course, for your friendship to our missionaries.

2019 has been another year to remember. Beginning with my visit to Venezuela in January, we have continued to keep track of the progress of our missions all over the world, from Mozambique to the Philippines and beyond. As we are all too often faced with bleak news of death, disaster, and destruction, it truly is a breath of fresh air to see our mission family joining together to do something that is nothing short of astonishing in its power. Together, we are a force to be reckoned with, and thanks to our great community of faith, I look to 2020 with a hopeful and grateful heart. With your continued support, we will make it another year of positive change.

Each and every time you send one of our Mass cards, support an appeal, or join us in a special celebration, you are a vital part of a far bigger picture. What may seem like a small gesture, completed from the comfort of your own home, has a tremendously far-reaching effect, touching the hearts of MSCs and the communities they serve in towns and villages far across the world, surviving in conditions we can’t even begin to imagine. From orphaned children to elderly people who are faced with the abyss of poverty and loneliness, you are a friend to those who live with hopelessness, fear, and despair.

On behalf of our extended Sacred Heart family, you have my heartfelt thanks for your generosity in reaching out to those in need, though they may be a world away. You and your loved ones are not only in my prayers this Christmas season, but in the prayers of our MSCs everywhere. We remember all those in our great family of faith – those who are surrounded by the warmth of family this festive season, and those who may be struggling with personal challenges of different kinds. We remember those who may find Christmas difficult, and those who sacrifice the home comforts of Christmas to help others. As I have said before, love knows no bounds, and we are every one of us a loved and valued part of this great family of faith.

In the spirit of the season and on behalf of our MSC community around the world, I would like to extend my warmest wishes for a joyful Christmas, and I pray that the coming year will bring you and yours an abundance of peace, happiness, and blessings.

Wishing you and yours a happy and holy Christmas,

Fr Michael O’Connell MSC

Click here to view the winners of our 2019 Christmas Raffle

An evening of remembrance at the MSC Light Up a Memory Mass 2019

The evening of Saturday, November 30th, saw the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road in Cork filled with the light of hundreds of candles, each flame marking the memory of a treasured loved one who is no longer with us.

November is traditionally a time to remember, and every year, our MSC missionaries in the Sacred Heart parish mark the end of the month of the Holy Souls with the Light Up a Memory Mass, a beautiful memorial service which serves as a beacon of light and love in the winter darkness.

Now in its sixth year, the first Light Up a Memory Mass took place in 2014 and it has since become a much-beloved tradition for local parishioners in Cork, and for mission friends located far and wide, all over the world, thanks to our live streaming service. As always, we were glad to welcome familiar faces of old friends on the night, and we also had many visitors who come specially to celebrate the service with us. This year, we also welcomed over 400 viewers on our website, coming together to pray with us in Cork from across Ireland, the UK, Germany, the US, Canada, Spain, Australia, Malta, the Netherlands, and South Africa.

Bereavement touches us all and the Light Up a Memory service is a lovely way for families to remember together at this special time of year. From 6.30pm on Saturday evening, the Sacred Heart Church was aglow in the light of hundreds of candles, each one burning brightly in celebration of lives and the memories of those we will always hold dear.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all who took part in this year’s Light Up a Memory celebrations, both in the Sacred Heart Church and around the world. Once again, it was a very poignant and truly special evening of prayer, reflection, and fond remembrance for everyone involved.

A visit from Sr Jenny Christie FDNSC

We were delighted to welcome Sr Jenny Christie FDNSC to Cork this August, as she kindly took the time to visit the MSC Missions Office during her trip to Ireland. Sr Jenny originally hails from Australia, and now resides in Rome in her role as International Development Officer for the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (OLSH).

An invaluable branch of our Sacred Heart family tree, we have been very glad of the opportunity to work with our OLSH Sisters over the past year, with particular attention to the projects that Sr Jenny highlighted in our 2019 World Projects Appeal. The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart do truly wonderful work on a global scale, from education projects in the Philippines, South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil, and South Sudan, to the provision of emergency aid to the survivors of domestic abuse in Kiribati. The OLSH Sisters also founded the Holy Family Care Centre in South Africa, where they currently care for 70 children who have been abandoned, abused, or are suffering the effects of serious illness such as HIV/AIDS and TB.

Sr Jenny has been professed for over 29 years, and has held a number of varied ministries in that time, including teacher, educational administrator, and Provincial Councillor. She has completed Masters degrees in Education and Theological Studies, and now works tirelessly to make a difference where it is most needed in her role as International Development Officer for the OLSH.

The support of our mission friends here in the Irish Province has been a tremendous help to the OLSH Sisters around the world. “The Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart would like to thank you most sincerely for the support of your prayers and interest, and for any donations to our mission areas,” says Sr Jenny. “Indeed, support such as yours help make our work possible, and for this we thank you and assure you of our continued prayers for you.”

 

It was wonderful to have Sr Jenny pay us a visit in person, and we look forward to working closely with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on their ongoing projects around the world.

PLEASE SUPPORT OLSH GLOBAL OUTREACH

Fr Michael visits Venezuela: MSCs making a difference

In January 2019, MSC Missions Office Director Fr Michael O’Connell spent three weeks in Venezuela, visiting MSC parishes in the cities of Maracaibo and Caracas. Here, he shares his experiences and his thoughts on a country in crisis.

“Water is now becoming a problem, especially in Propatria, Caracas. They pump water into Caracas around three days a week. Fr John Jennings says that you know when water is coming, because there are leaks in the street – then you know that the municipality is directing water into the area. The locals are very proud; I saw people out sweeping the streets during my visit. Even though it was mucky and the sewage smelled terrible, they still wanted to keep it clean.

This year, more than ever, I noticed more blue tanks on the roofs of houses and buildings. These are containers to conserve water, and there are far more in place now because of the water shortages. People often come to the MSC house to shower and wash their clothes. People are bringing water to their houses, like bringing water to a home from a well in rural Ireland.”

“The current climate is taking its toll.”

“Venezuelan people are very clean; they shower and wash their clothes a lot. They are very proud, and very image conscious. You won’t see them out and about with rollers in their hair! Our MSCs know if water hasn’t been sent to the district for a while – people won’t come to the church, as they wouldn’t be clean. The lack of water affects their social life, and church is a social occasion where they meet up and chat together. I did notice that many people weren’t able to keep themselves as well this year – there was a lot more grey hair showing and people are a lot thinner. The current climate is taking its toll.

I brought with me a suitcase full of toiletries kindly donated by parishioners of the Sacred Heart Church in Cork, and they were given out after Mass, while some were kept back for people who called to the door. The poorest people call to the door of the MSC house for help. When we gave out toiletries after Mass, the smell of soap lingered around the church – and from the pictures, you can see the sheer joy it brought people. There was a queue for the toiletries, and they would have taken more if we had it.”

“Living spaces are small and cramped; there is no privacy.”

“Back in Maracaibo, I noticed that there are a lot of houses for sale – more houses than the last time I was here, certainly. Over three million people have now emigrated. They have left Venezuela for Panama, Chile, Peru, Columbia, Brazil… Nearby countries where people might be able to find work.

Once again, theft is a real problem. In the church, fans are chained to the wall because of theft, and speakers are kept in metal cages. There are railings on balconies, even when they are many storeys high – people will attempt to break in, no matter how high up you are.

Living spaces are small and cramped in the barrios (slums); there is no privacy. If you breathe in one room, somebody will hear you in the next room. Space is at a premium – one of my photographs shows a house extension in progress. There had been a landslide, which cleared the ground, so people then had room to extend.

We visited one house located up a hill so steep that Fr John wouldn’t bring his car up the final run, in case he couldn’t get it back down again. We took the last leg of the journey on foot, to give Holy Communion to a lady who was very ill. One of her family members who had come to Mass that day brought us to see her.”

“Our MSCs do their best to make life more tolerable for parishioners.”

“In Maracaibo, there are a lot of little markets popping up, selling bits and pieces. Houses are selling food, and little ice-creams called Coffey. People are now selling their clothes. Tyre repairs and replacements are on the go 24 hours a day. Tyres for a Ford Fiesta would cost about 20 million bolívars – around USD $76.

Fr Vincent Screene has given out water cooler boxes to parishioners in Maracaibo, so they can make and sell fruit juice using local fruits, particularly mangoes. These coolers have a tap on then, and they can hold about 44 litres of liquid. They cost around USD $30, but people can sell juice and make some money in the long term. Fr Vincent has also provided coffee grinders and vacuum flasks to parishioners, so they can make their own coffee and sell it. All of these things help people to gain back a little bit of independence and self-sufficiency, and help to make life more tolerable for families. Fr Vincent has also bought beds and mattresses where he could, especially for children.”

“Our parishioners are wonderful, warm people who are simply doing their best in the face of an impossible situation.”

“The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs recommends that you don’t go to Venezuela unless you have to, and if you do go, stay away from certain areas – such as Maracaibo. The people of Caracas seem to be treated better by the government. Caracas is the capital, and the government appear to be more keen to keep people there happy, for fear of rebellion. Caracas contains more barrios, and more people who live there immigrated from other countries when the standard of living was better. People who were not born in Caracas are living in severe poverty, and there’s a fear they might rebel, so the government keep the system rolling. In Maracaibo, I noticed far more issues with electricity outages and with problematic internet – and the food boxes that the government are supposed to issue to every household each month are very rarely, if ever, seen there.

Despite hardship, poverty, and hunger, our parishioners are very generous, and are a very patient people. They give what they can. We have had extremely poor people bringing gifts of food to one of our MSCs who was ill. They are also extremely enthusiastic in their faith. Our parishioners are wonderful, warm people who are simply doing their best in the face of an impossible situation.”

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS

Find out more about our missionary outreach in Venezuela

Read more about Fr Michael’s visit to Venezuela:

Visiting Caracas

An Economy in Crisis

Food for Thought

On the Road

In the Classroom