Sep 20, 2017
“Return to your first and only love,” said Pope Francis last Saturday, 16th September, during a private audience between his Holiness and the members of the 2017 General Chapter of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. In an uplifting, yet profoundly challenging address the Pope stated that as missionaries we are called to keep our “gaze fixed on Jesus Christ and learn from Him how to truly love with a human heart, to care for the lost and hurting members of his flock, to work for justice and show solidarity with the weak and poor.”
Pope Francis greets Fr. Paco Blanco MSC, an old firend from Argentina.
He was speaking to a group ready and open to hear his message. As we arrived that morning for the audience you couldn’t help but be awed by the surroundings of the Vatican buildings. Designed to impress, they did just that. However, in contrast to the stateliness of the architecture, the beauty of the frescos, and the livery of the Swiss Guard, Pope Francis comes across as a simple man. He entered in a low key way, smiling and acknowledging with gratitude the presence of missionaries from all around the world. It was clear he was a little tired, but he has a sense of authenticity and simplicity of presence that is both difficult to describe and utterly unforgettable. He was particularly enthused to meet an old friend of his, Fr. Paco Blanco MSC, the Provincial of our Spanish Province with whom he worked in Argentina. (more…)
Sep 15, 2017
Celebrate life’s triumphs or offer comfort in troubled times with enrolment in the Holy Family Entrustment Book.
What is the Holy Family Entrustment Book?
The Holy Family Entrustment Book is a one-year enrolment in the Masses and prayers of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. The personalised prayer certificate is presented in a beautiful hand-crafted card with 3D embellishment. The specially designed eight-page card is filled with thoughtful prayers and reflections, and there is additional space for a personal message in each card.
What does a one-year enrolment involve?
Those enrolled in the Holy Family Entrustment Book are remembered in the Masses and prayers of our MSC priests for one year. This makes the Holy Family Entrustment a lovely gift to mark a special occasion, or to offer comfort and support in times of distress.
Can I enrol a friend or loved one in the Holy Family Entrustment Book for any occasion?
Enrolments in the Holy Family Entrustment Book are made for a variety of occasions, from remembrance of a loss to the celebration of a special life event.
In today’s challenging times, many people find themselves seeking direction, encouragement, and healing through prayer. As we deal with the stresses and strains of modern life, we often feel the need for something more, and an enrolment in the Holy Family Entrustment Book offers spiritual support to those who find comfort in prayer.
Of course, the gift of a Holy Family Entrustment Book is also a wonderful way to mark an occasion or celebrate a special achievement, from birthdays and anniversaries to weddings, graduations, and baptisms. This is a particularly lovely gesture to commemorate a special family occasion or celebration.
Where can I get a Holy Family Entrustment Book?
Visit our Cards & Gifts section to order a personalised Holy Family Entrustment Book online. You can have your order delivered to your door, or we can send it directly to the person being enrolled. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us by email at info@mscmissions.ie, or by phone on +353 (0) 21 454 5704.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love.
You can also enrol your loved ones in the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart,
or the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book.
Sep 8, 2017
Give the gift of eternal prayer with an enrolment in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book.
What is the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book?
The Blue Book is an everlasting gift of perpetual enrolment in the prayers of our MSC priests. Each prayer certificate is personalised and is presented in a silver-embossed folder, with covers in padded Balacon and parchment to choose from. This makes the Blue Book a beautiful gift for a special occasion, or as a gesture of support at times of illness or loss.
What does perpetual enrolment involve?
Perpetual enrolment means that the person named in each Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book will be remembered in the Masses and prayers of our MSC priests for all time. The names of those enrolled are recorded and bound each year in a specially designed Blue Book, which is kept in the prayer room at the MSC Missions Office in Cork. Every year, the Blue Book is placed on the altar of the Sacred Heart Church in Cork during the annual Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, and those enrolled are remembered specially during this time.
Can I enrol a friend or loved one in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book for any occasion?
Enrolment in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book is a very thoughtful gift, particularly for anybody who has a special devotion or attachment to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. This is often a popular enrolment for mothers everywhere.
Enrolments can be made for a variety of occasions, with people choosing to give the gift of a Blue Book to celebrate life’s achievements, or in memory of loved one. While the gift of a Blue Book is a thoughtful way to remember a loved one who has passed away, offering the comfort of perpetual prayer to those who have experienced a loss, it is also a lovely way to mark special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, exams, baptisms, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation.
Where can I get an Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book?
Visit our Cards & Gifts section to order a personalised Blue Book online. You can have your order delivered to your door, or we can send it directly to the person being enrolled. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us by email at info@mscmissions.ie, or by phone on +353 (0) 21 454 5704.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love.
You can also enrol your loved ones in the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart,
or the Holy Family Entrustment Book.
Sep 1, 2017
An everlasting gift, the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart offers remembrance in the Masses and prayers of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for all time.
What is the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart?
The Golden Book is a perpetual enrolment in the prayers of our MSC priests, and is a very thoughtful way to mark a special occasion, or to offer a gesture of comfort in troubled times. Each personalised prayer certificate is presented in a beautiful gold-embossed folder, and you can choose from a padded Balacron or parchment card covers.
What does perpetual enrolment involve?
Perpetual enrolment means that the person named in each Golden Book of the Sacred Heart will be remembered in the Masses and prayers of our MSC priests for all time. The names of those enrolled are recorded and bound each year in a specially designed Golden Book, which is kept in the prayer room at the MSC Missions Office in Cork. Every year, the Golden Book is placed on the altar of the Sacred Heart Church in Cork during the annual Novena to the Sacred Heart, and those enrolled are remembered specially during this time.
Can I enrol a friend or loved one in the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart for any occasion?
A Golden Book is a truly special way to let somebody know that you’re thinking of them. This is a thoughtful way to remember a friend, family member, or loved one who has passed away, offering the comfort of perpetual prayer to those who have experienced a loss.
However, Golden Book enrolments aren’t just given in remembrance – this is also a lovely way to mark special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, exams, baptisms, First Holy Communion, and Confirmation. The gift of a Golden Book can offer peace and solace to those going through difficult times, while it is also the perfect memento to celebrate life’s special occasions.
Where can I get a Golden Book of the Sacred Heart?
Visit our Cards & Gifts section to order a personalised Golden Book online. You can have your order delivered to your door, or we can send it directly to the person being enrolled. If you have any further questions, please feel free to get in touch with us by email at info@mscmissions.ie, or by phone on +353 (0) 21 454 5704.
Prayer is one of the greatest gifts we can give to those we love.
You can also enrol your loved ones in the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Blue Book,
or the Holy Family Entrustment Book.
Aug 1, 2017
It’s a festival like no other – and it comes with its own castle!
Now going for over 20 years, the Brightlights Festival is an opportunity for young Catholics to come together – to have fun, listen to inspiring and engaging speakers, take part in interesting workshops, and hear some great bands and musical talent. All of this, with awesome times for prayer and encounters with the Sacraments!
The Brightlights Festival is a place where you can discover something more about yourself, others, and God in a safe and relaxed environment; a place where you can experience something of the depth and diversity of the Catholic Church, and share your own faith and experiences with others of the same age-group and outlook.
It’s about music, theatre, and dance… but above all, it’s about joy and faith.
Once again, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart were there with our friends from Birmingham’s Kenelm Youth Trust in Alton Castle. It was a wonderful weekend meeting up with old friends and making new ones. The One Hope Project led the music and RISE Theatre performed their amazing production celebrating the life of Blessed Oscar Romero. (more…)
