Congratulations to our Newly Elected General Assistants
The Missionaries of the Sacred would like to proudly congratulate our newly elected General Assistants to the General Team :
â Chris Chaplin, MSC (Australian) from the Province of Australia;
â Bernard Mongeau, MSC (Canadian) from the Province of the Dominican Republic;
â Simon Lumpini, MSC (Congolese) from the Union of French-speaking Africa;
â Fransiskus Bram Tulusan, MSC (Indonesian) from the Province of Indonesia
We thank these brothers of ours who have generously accepted their election.
We also thank AndrĂ© Claessens, Paulus Pitoy, and Humberto Henriques âthe outgoing General Team membersâ for their generous service in the past six years.
Source: Ametur MSC on Facebook
Election of Superior General
Fr AbzalĂłn with Fr Joe McGee MSC, Provincial, Fr Carl Tranter MSC, Fr Julius Katjipa MSC and Fr Alan Neville MSC
“I am delighted to announce the re-election of Fr AbzalĂłn Alvarado Tovar MSC as our Superior General for a second mandate.
On behalf of the Irish Province, I offer him our congratulations, support and prayers.â
Fr Joe McGee MSC
Provincial
Source: Ametur MSC on Facebook
Pictured below :
Fr AbzalĂłn with Fr Michael Curran MSC
Fr AbzalĂłn with Fr Joe McGee MSC, Provincial
Fr AbzalĂłn with Fr Celestin Bela MSC
Fr AbzalĂłn with Fr Carl Tranter MSC
MSC General Chapter takes place in Rome.
This is a very exciting time for our MSC’s as the election process takes place to elect our new Superior General and Leadership Team for the worldwide congregation.This General Chapter also happens to coincide with the jubilee year of our founder, Fr Jules Chevalier. The Chapter Assembly takes place from September 17 â October 7, 2023
The theme for the 26th MSC General Chapter is, “Did not our hearts burn within us as we walked along together!” (Luke 24:32). It reminds us that this journey started in 1854 when Fr Chevalier began to feel his heart burning for the mission. It has continued to burn for 168 years. In the last six years, this journey has flowed in synodality and interconnectedness through the General Conferences of 2019 and 2021, the accompaniments carried out, the provincial activities and meetings, as well as the international encounters undertook.
Inspired by the two disciples’ journey on the Road to Emmaus, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart “want to recognize Jesus approaching and walking with us welcoming our misunderstandings and disappointments as well as our hopes and desire to listen and to see with mercy the world, the reality and the people around us especially those most in need and excluded.”
The Chapter Hall, therefore, has been set-up to consistently invite the MSC’s to be present in the journey.
The Pre-Chapter Opening Mass was celebrated on the 17th September bringing all the Missionaries together as brothers and sisters as members of the Chevalier Family with the homily brought by Fr AbzalĂłn Alvarado, MSC.
A General Chapter is a living process, an open life system with different stages. We come to this moment after a long journey of listening, discernment, and work, especially after the 2019 and 2021 General Conferences. This six-year process has included conversations, discernment, and listening at community and provincial levels.
During the first week, each meeting represented prayers on personal reflection and dialogues for the meaning of the Chapter and the structures of the congregation for the future.
On the fifth day, Friday 22nd September , the entire day was dedicated to Blessed MSC Martyrs of El QuichĂ©.Â
Work was also done on the Reports from some of the Commissions established by the General Leadership Team according to the recommendations of the 2021 General Conference, including the Safeguarding Commission, and the international aspect of MSC formation.
The election process will begin this week to elect our new Superior General and Leadership Team for the worldwide congregation.
Images courtesy of Amateur MSC on Facebook
MSC Irish Provincial Chapter
40 members of the Irish MSC Province gathered on Sunday evening, 30th April in Mount Saint Anneâs Retreat & Conference Centre, Portarlington, Co. Laois to begin our first ever Open Provincial Chapter.
Provincial Fr Carl Tranter MSC, welcomed everyone and expressed his desire that the Chapter be a grace-filled experience for all as they discussed and planed a roadmap for the years ahead for the Province. Fr Carl and Tony Horgan led the Opening Liturgy, welcoming all present and thanked those who had travelled from near and far: from Ireland, England, USA, Southern Africa, Kenya, Venezuela and South Sudan and extended a huge welcome to our Superior General, Fr AbsalĂłn Alvarado MSC, who will journey with them for the week of our Chapter. Fr AbsalĂłnâs presence will be hugely enriching for everyone. Candles were lit representing the five continents of the congregation and the eight countries they currently have confreres working in. Fr Jimmy Mitchell, as the oldest member of the Chapter, lit the Chapter candle.
During the Opening Liturgy all members of the Chapter declared their presence and desire for the week ahead and the Facilitator ,Frances Heery, Secretary to the Chapter ,Paula Ryan-Kavanagh, Translator ,Jaime Rosique and Scrutineers Fr Giacomo Gelardi, Fr Alan Neville and Fr Peter Ngâangâa, were prayerfully welcomed and formally approved.
The first day began by introducing the MSC theme through reflection on the Road to Emmaus. Members were invited to share their experience of life in two and fours inspired by the two disciples on the road. This was felt by all present as a profound experience of getting to know each other in a deeper way.
The afternoon session began by electing a Steering Committee, followed by input from the Superior General who offered his observations in the light of his visit to Ireland and England last year. Fr AbsalĂłnâs input was experienced as supportive, inspiring and affirming. The day concluded with Eucharist led by Fr AbsalĂłn.
The second day (Tuesday 2nd May) began in a creative way when the Facilitator ,Frances Heery conducted an interview with Fr Carl inviting him to share his experience of being Provincial. The highs, the lows and moments of inspiration were shared by Fr Carl and his honesty was greatly appreciated. Fr Carlâs sharing provided a springboard for group reflection regarding how members experienced the life of the province at the moment.
The day concluded with a short session introducing some of the suggested amendments to our Statutes.
Eucharist was celebrated by three of the confreres from Venezuela, Fr Yonys Mendoza, Fr Eliel Araujo and Fr Deiby Fuenmayor.
Wednesday (3rd May) will continue the process on reflecting on the Chapter theme of âReturn to Your First Loveâ.
“Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road”
Luke 24:32