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! 

GO BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE 

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.

Sacred Heart parishioners fundraising for Venezuela

On Sunday, September 22^nd, 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

MSC Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2019

Each year, the arrival of September heralds an exciting time for the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, as we embark on our annual pilgrimage to Lourdes.

This year saw another wonderful pilgrimage group embark on the well-trodden path to Lourdes on September 14^th, for a five-night trip undertaken by the familiar faces of friends and new acquaintances alike. A total of 86 pilgrims travelled from Cork and Dublin, and the group swelled in numbers even more in Lourdes, as friends both old and new joined our MSC party.

The group’s spiritual leader on this year’s journey was Fr Charles Sweeney MSC, and he was joined by MSCs Fr Des Farren, Fr John Finn, Fr Timothy Gleeson, and Fr Michael O’Connell.

The pilgrimage began on Saturday with prayers at the High Stations of the Cross, led by Fr John Finn. Different pilgrims carried our banner from station to station in a lovely afternoon of peaceful reflection. Evening prayer took place in the Church of Seven Dolours.

Sunday morning dawned with a 7.30am Mass at the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, which was celebrated with English-speaking pilgrims from the USA and India. “This was a very special time to be at the Grotto, as dawn broke and we watched the sun rise,” says Fr Michael. This was followed by breakfast, and a guided tour of special places connected with St Bernadette of Lourdes.

This year’s pilgrimage was a special one, celebrating the 175^th anniversary of the birth of St Bernadette of Lourdes, who was both on January 7^th 1844. St Bernadette is widely known and loved for her experience of apparitions from Our Lady of Lourdes – “a small young lady” who appeared to Bernadette on 17 occasions in a niche in the rock at Massabielle, while Bernadette, aged 14 at the time, was caring for her family’s flock of sheep. The Lady requested that Bernadette “go to the priests and tell them to build a chapel here”, but it was not until their seventeenth meeting that “the beautiful lady” identified herself to Bernadette. That chapel was to become what is now the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes, the site of miracles visited by millions of people every year.

“It was lovely to see the improvements made to the domain area,” notes Fr Michael. “There have been new trees planted near the Grotto, improvements at the baths, new taps to wash your hands and face, and the candles have been moved to the opposite side of the river. There is also a special emphasis on prayerful silence.”

Holy Hour on Sunday night was led by Fr Charles Sweeney at the Chapel of St Maximilian Kolbe. “Everyone lit a candle, and we remembered and prayed for our deceased,” says Fr Michael. “The healing service on Monday evening at the Upper Basilica was also very special.”

Monday also saw Mass at Bartes, where St Bernadette lived twice. Here, our pilgrims had the opportunity to venerate a relic of St Bernadette, and view a sample of her handwriting that has been preserved through the ages.

Tuesday afternoon brought prayers at the Lower Stations of the Cross, followed by a Rosary mediation at the Chapel of St Maximilian Kolbe. Wednesday morning’s Mass at the Bois St Francois at the City of St Pierre, or the City of the Poor, was another particularly lovely moment as Mass was celebrated in the open air beside the beautiful lake. “We thought it was starting to rain at one point,” recalls Fr Michael, “but it was just the wind shaking the rain off the leaves in the trees! The weather was wonderful on the whole, and it only rained at night.”

The return flights were not until the evening on the final day, which gave our pilgrimage group a full day at their leisure to revisit their favourite spots, and spend time in prayer by the river or at the Grotto – a perfect end to the journey.

“We had another fantastic group of pilgrims this year,” says Fr Michael. “We were especially blessed in our guitarist, Jerry, and his wife, Deirdre.”

From candlelight vigils to a beautiful outdoor Mass celebrated at the City of the Poor, this year’s pilgrimage was a prayerful, grace-filled trip that left all involved with full hearts. All of our benefactors and mission friends were remembered in the prayers of our MSCs and pilgrims on this year’s journey, and as always, we would like to thank everyone who participated for making this year’s pilgrimage a resounding success.

If you would like to find out more about the annual MSC pilgrimage to Lourdes, please click here.

The MSC Message: Winter 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

Celebrating a blessed 2019 Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Our 2019 Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart took place from Saturday, August 31^st to Sunday, September 8^th, at the Sacred Heart Church on the Western Road, Cork.

A number of MSCs celebrated our daily Novena Masses over the nine-day period, including Fr Michael O’Connell, Fr Tom Mulcahy, and Fr Vincent Screene, who recently returned home to Ireland from the Venezuelan mission.

The Sacred Heart Church was beautifully decorated, with a very special feature this year. A wonderful statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart stood on the altar throughout the course of the Novena, which had been carved by the late Fr Jerry O’Riordan MSC, who ministered in South Africa and Indonesia.

It was wonderful to see the familiar faces of old friends return to the Sacred Heart Church every day, and to welcome new acquaintances to our Novena Masses every day. We were also delighted to see over 2,200 people pray with us via the live stream on our website over the nine days of the Novena – a sure sign that our great community of faith is growing all over the world!

The theme of year’s Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart was “Mother-Disciple”, with Sr Merle Salazar FDNSC acting as the special guest speaker at each of our daily Masses.

It was with great joy that we welcomed Sr Merle back to the Sacred Heart Church, following her wonderful reception as leader of the Sacred Heart Novena in 2018. With a fascinating history and varied career path to date, Sr Merle is a firm favourite with parishioners in Cork and beyond.

Born, raised, and educated in the Philippines, Sr Merle was a certified public accountant prior to her decision to join religious life with the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in 1995. As a young religious sister, she taught accountancy, did treasury work in a parish school, and coordinated a nutrition program in the remote village of Cebu, located in central Philippines. She also obtained a Masters degree in Religious Studies, and following her final profession, she has ministered in Formation and Leadership. She has also taught Marian Theology and Scripture at three theology schools in Manila, and is currently the First Councillor to the General, residing in Rome.

Sr Merle was welcomed with open arms once again this year, and we thank her, and everybody who contributed to this year’s celebrations, in person or online, for taking part in another successful, prayerful, and blessed Novena.

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