Things you need to know before becoming a Missionary of the Sacred Heart

If you really want to become a Missionary of the Sacred Heart you should know from start that during your religious life you have to proclaim that God is Love (1Jn 4:18). At the beginning they will teach you that “as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we must be convinced of the necessity of a deep interior life that is open to the Holy Spirit, so that we may grow in faith and knowledge of the mystery revealed in the Heart of Christ. This will give us the strength to remain faithful to the mission and spirit of the Society.” (Const. 14). They will then ask you to live in our communities with “a spirit of family and of brotherhood, formed by kindness and understanding, by compassion and mutual forgiveness, by gentleness, humility and simplicity, by hospitality and a sense of humour.” (Const. 32). If you want to continue as a Missionary, you have to bring God to people, since God is the sole objective of everyone’s life. When you will be a Missionary you cannot moralise or simply state what is right or wrong. You have to help people to find God who is love in each and every experience. (more…)

A Restless Heart Looking For God

A Hole in Your Heart

I thought to share with you the story of my vocation. My vocation began in my heart. A hole in my heart. Maybe you heard Pascal’s intuition of a God-shaped hole in the heart of each human being that only God can fill it. Or more likely Saint Augustine’s saying that “our heart is restless, until it rests in You” (Confessions I.1). But surely you heard Christ saying “those who drink of the water I will give them will never be thirsty” (Jn 4:14).

 

My vocation, as each vocation, begins with a longing for God, a thirst that only God can quench. My vocation began in my family, with my parents and my grandparents, as well as friends in San Bernardino’s parish in Urbino, the Franciscan friars, I could name them all! I grew up blessed in my blessed family.

 

But the bliss of the perfect family had to finish. God wanted to strengthen me; I suppose. When I was about sixteen and my parents decided to split. I remember it as extremely painful, the most painful moment in my life. And that hole in my heart went deeper and my thirst for love became bigger. I started looking for things and people to fill it. I was so needy of love that relationships became almost an obsession. And some people instead of helping me, took advantage of my vulnerability. That of course did not help much. And I nearly completely lost trust in people…and in God! However, no matter how hard I looked nobody and not a thing in the world was able to fill the void. Unfortunately, at that time, nobody told me that God is Love.

 

‘Doing a Jonah’

Meanwhile, I remember one day, I was twenty more or less, sitting on the steps outside San Francesco’s Church in Urbino with a person I loved most in life, and still do, I saw a group of young friars walking down the street, they looked so full of joy that I said “I think it would be cool to be a friar”. She looked at me bewildered “are you serious?” (more…)

First Professions in the Democratic Republic of Congo

August saw great celebrations for our MSC community in the Democratic Republic of Congo, when four MSC novices came to the end of the novitiate journey and made their First Professions.

“First Profession takes place at the conclusion of the Novitiate, which is a one-year period of intense spiritual preparation for young men who wish to become Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. From this point on, they are now members of the Society, with temporary status, and they will continue their studies in preparation for the day when they will make their Final Profession as full members of the Society.” (Fr Joseph McGee MSC)

The ceremony took place in Kimwenza, outside the city of Kinshasa. The three-hour Eucharistic celebration was led by the Regional Superior of the Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Fr Dieudonné Kenda MSC, and was a powerful and joyful celebration for all involved. There were approximately 130 priests and members of the religious community in attendance, along with family and friends of the newly professed MSC brothers, and members of the local congregation who all wanted to celebrated the beginning of a new chapter for these four young men.

The newly professed MSC members will now continue with their studies, while also engaging in different types of ministry and pastoral experiences as part of the MSC community. We wish them all the very best on the beginning of this new leg of their journey, and our prayers are with them all.

Congratulations and blessings to the newly professed Br Roland Kaboré MSC, Br Sylvain Mingou MSC, Br Alfred Gomis MSC, and Br Brinda Nguele MSC!

Images via @AmeturMSC on Facebook.

25 young men welcomed to the Postulancy Programme in the Indonesian Province

On August 12th, the Indonesian Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart officially welcomed 25 young men to their Postulancy Programme in a beautiful Eucharistic celebration, held at the MSC Skolastikat Pineleng Chapel in North Sulawesi, Indonesia.

The Ametur MSC Facebook page shared photos of the event, noting that the homily was celebrated by Fr Hubert Berry MSC, who spoke inspiring words of motivation and encouragement to the young postulants. “Surely, there will be many challenges and struggles,” he said, “but don’t worry – you are not alone.”

“Be confident, and rely on Him,” continued Fr Hubert, “for He will never leave you.”

Last year, Indonesia fell victim to the devastating effects of a series of natural disasters, with over 2.4 million people affected in all.

In late September 2018, an earthquake and tsunami killed almost 2,300 people across the regions of Palu, Sigi, and Donggala. A massive earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 hit the Sulawesi province, which in turn generated a deadly tsunami with waves measuring up to 10 feet high. Just a few days later, in early October, a volcano erupted in North Sulawesi, spewing lava and ash 19,600 feet into the air. Floods, landslides, and mudslides destroyed homes, buildings, vehicles roads, and bridges. Children were separated from their parents and families were torn apart. Over 220,000 people were displaced from their homes, and over 1,300 people were reported missing.

A short time later, in late December, a ruinous tsunami swept along the Sunda Strait, injuring over 14,000 people, and causing further catastrophic damage to homes, businesses, and the local landscape.

MSCs in Indonesia provided emergency response throughout this terrible time, and are continuing their work as they help devastated families as they rebuild their lives and livelihoods following this series of disasters. The official acceptance of 25 young men to this year’s Postulancy Programme is testament to the wonderful work done by the Indonesian Province of the MSC, and we keep these young men and their leaders in our prayers as they embark on this new and exciting journey.

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN INDONESIA

A new MSC College Formation House & Profession Day in the Philippines

At the end of July, the Philippine Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart unveiled their newly renovated MSC house in Surigao City, which now takes the form of the new MSC College Formation House.

The launch of the new MSC Formation House also saw the formal acceptance of seven new formands to the college formation programme.

At the Eucharistic celebration, Fr Cabrera, the Provincial Superior of the Philippines, addressed the new formands as they embarked upon this new and exciting stage of their missionary journey. “You are MSC formands because we hope that you imbibe the MSC Spirituality and charism in your initial formation years,” he said, encouraging and motivating the seven new formands for the journey ahead.

The following week also saw great excitement for the Philippine Province, as their Profession Day was held on August 6^th, the Feast of Our Lord’s Transfiguration. Two novices, Frt Franz Kim Pelare and Frt Diomuel Carpenteros, made their first profession of vows, while five confreres made their perpetual profession: Frt Ace Yu, Frt Julieto Amaneo, Jr., Frt Ronie Botona, Frt Chris John Awa, and Frt Michael Angelo Dacalos. In addition, three MSCs, Frt Janray, Bro Florris, and Frt Jyrnell, renewed their religious vows at the ceremony.

It was a wonderful day for all involved – and as the Facebook page for the MSC Scholasticate Community in the Philippines noted, “If their sweet smiles imply anything, it might just be, in the words of Fr Provincial, that they did it in joy, in freedom, and in love.”

Our prayers are with each of these men in our MSC family, on the different stages of the missionary journey.

Keep up to date with the MSC Missions Office Philippines on Facebook.

Visit the new website for the MSC Missions Office in the Philippines.

Celebrating an MSC Deaconate in Caracas, Venezuela

Sincere congratulations to Rev Luis Gonzales MSC, who was ordained a Deacon in Caracas, Venezuela, on Saturday, May 4^th.

We were delighted to receive these pictures of the celebration in Caracas – a wonderful occasion for all involved.

The people of Venezuela are currently in the midst of the worst political, social, economic, and humanitarian crisis in the history of the country. In January of this year, MSC Missions Office Director FR Michael O’Connell visited MSC parishes in Maraciabo and Caracas, where Rev Luis and our Venezuelan MSC community are tireless in their efforts to bring support and relief to local families who are struggling in the current climate.

“At a time when the country is going through such a difficult period politically, socially and economically, it is a sign of great hope that a young man such as Luis commits himself to the service of the people of Venezuela with the deep desire to be for all a living, tangible presence of God’s heart for his people,” wrote Irish Provincial Leader Fr Carl Tranter MSC, on the occasion of Rev Luis’ ordination.

Vocations Director for the Irish Province, Fr Alan Neville MSC, also added his good wishes on the MSC Vocations Facebook page, posting: “Congratulations to Rev Luis Gonzalez MSC who was ordained a Deacon in Caracas, Venezuela, today. May the Lord bless your ministry, Luis, and always give you a big heart for his people, modelled after His own heart.”

We would like to add our congratulations, and send our very best wishes to Rev Luis from the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart!

Find out more about our missionary outreach in Venezuela

Pope Francis appoints MSC Bishop in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Sincere congratulations to the Rev Fr Toussaint Iluku Bolumbu MSC, who has been appointed by Pope Francis as bishop of the diocese of Bokungu-Ikela, Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Currently acting as superior of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart for the French-speaking African region, Bishop-Elect Toussaint is the first MSC African bishop.

The bishop-elect was born in Monieka, Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), in November 1964, the seventh in a family of eleven children. He entered the novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and was ordained a priest in 1995, having professed his religious vows the previous year. He holds bachelor’s degrees in both philosophy and theology, and has served in a wide range of pastoral roles including parish priest, vice rector, bursar, and later superior and director of formation of the MSC School in Yaoundé, teacher of philosophy and theology, vice president of the Association of Major Superiors of the ecclesiastical province of Mbandaka-Bikoro, assistant to the secretariat general of the General Chapter of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Rome, and moderator of the General Conference of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Yaoundé.

In April, Rev Fr Toussaint was appointed fourth bishop of the diocese of Bokungu-Ikela. His ordination will take place on July 21^st in Bokungo, by Bishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and Apostolic Administrator of Mbandaka Bikoro.

We send our very best wishes to Bishop-Elect Toussaint
from the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart!

Ordination to the Diaconate of Luis Gonzalez MSC, Caracas

We have great joy in announcing that on Saturday, May 4th, Luis Gonzalez MSC will be ordained a Deacon in Caracas, Venezuela.

At a time when the country is going through such a difficult period politically, socially, and economically, it is a sign of great hope that a young man such as Luis commits himself to the service of the people of Venezuela with the deep desire to be for all a living, tangible presence of God’s heart for his people. We pray for Luis on this significant step in his vocational journey, that he may serve the Lord, the Church, and all of society with love and generosity. Congratulations to Luis, his brother MSCs in Venezuela, and his family.

As we keep Luis especially in our prayers these days, we also continue to pray for the whole country of Venezuela.

– Fr Carl Tranter MSC
Irish Provincial Leader

 

Find out more about our missionary outreach in Venezuela

MSC Missions in Panama: World Youth Day 2019

Every three years, young Catholics from all over the world gather together to celebrate World Youth Day – and this year, Panama was lit up in the spirit of faith, prayer, and an overwhelming joy.

Fr Alan Neville and the MSC Vocations team travelled to Panama to join this year’s celebrations, and even the intense heat and early starts couldn’t dampen their enthusiasm!

A 2.30am start for their flight to Panama on January 18^th was no deterrent to these early birds, and on the first day of the event, they met with fellow pilgrims from Venezuela, Poland, and the USA.

This was the perfect chance to explore Panama City, and Day 2 offered the opportunity to visit the BioMuseo, where our MSC team met with a group of pilgrims from Guatemala along the way.

January 22^nd marked the official opening of World Youth Day 2019, and what an event it was! Prayer, music, good food, and new friends made for a day to remember in the Panama sunshine.

A morning of catechesis with Bishop Edward Burns, from Dallas, Texas, proved powerful for our MSC group. “Bishop Ed spoke about the joy he encounters in living his vocation,” says Fr Alan as he recalls the bishop’s words: “To say ‘Yes!’ to the Lord is to enter into the mystery of God’s love for us.”

January 26^th saw the MSC team join pilgrims from over 140 countries at the St John Paul II Park for the Vigil Mass, while the following day demanded a 5.00am alarm clock ahead of the Papal Mass at 8.10am.

Fr Alan was up with the lark and ready to go! “I’ve got the gúna (it’s Irish – you might need to Google it),” he posted on the MSC Vocations Facebook page, “and we’re good to go.”

In a beautiful Mass, Pope Francis spoke of the necessity of building bridges rather than walls, and said that although the celebrations were coming to an end, the fruit of World Youth Day continues in parish and communities around the world as pilgrims make their way home. Cardinal Farrell also announced that plans for the next World Youth Day celebrations are already well underway, due to take place in Lisbon in 2022.

January 29^th brought Fr Alan and our MSC group back to home soil. “What an amazing week and a fantastic group,” wrote Fr Alan. “Thanks Panama – you were amazing. Roll on World Youth Day in Lisbon 2022!”

If you’d like to read more about World Youth Day celebrations in past years,
take a look at these posts from Rio de Janeiro in 2013 and Krakow in 2016.

World Youth Day 2013 – Celebrating Faith With Millions

World Youth Day 2016 – The Road to Krakow

World Youth Day 2016 – The Gathering

Make a Difference Volunteering in Africa in 2019

It’s 2019 and perhaps it’s time for something new. Maybe you’re looking for a challenge. You want to push yourself, move out of your comfort zone, and make a difference in the world. If that’s the case our MSC Volunteering Project could be just what you need.

 

 

 

We send volunteers to South Africa for seven weeks from the start of July until the end of the third week of August. There they work alongside the fantastic team based in the Holy Family Centre. It’s in the foothills of the beautiful Drakensburg Mountains in the Northern Province, about one hour east of Kruger National Wildlife Park. Holy Family is home for up to seventy children who have lost their parents to HIV/AIDS or TB. They range in age from babies and toddlers to teenagers.

 

 

 

As you can imagine it’s a lively place! The kids are simply wonderful. They are so full of life, enthusiasm and joy. They love to sing and dance, run relay races with tyres and play football, go on outings, and sit around and chat. We are looking for people who would like to take part in the project. It is aimed at those between the ages of 23 and 40 and who perhaps have some practical skills. We need people with backgrounds in teaching, nursing, carpentry, electrics, mechanics and anything else. Volunteers are asked to contribute €1,500 and we match this with €1,500 ourselves. This covers flights, food, accommodation, insurance, transfers, and training. We look to support the children, but also to share our skills with others.

 

 

For our volunteers it’s a learning experience that they will never forget. The MSC Volunteering Project made a deep impression on those who have volunteered with us.

MSC Volunteering is a signatory of the Comhlamh Code of Good Practice on ethical, sustainable volunteering.

 

(more…)

Called to Live a Life of Joy as a Priest with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart?

So, it’s 2019!

New Year is a time when you stop to think about life and where you’re going. It’s easy to slip into a pattern. It’s familiar, comfortable, and not especially exciting. However, you still feel that you could be called to be more. If that’s the case have you ever thought of exploring a call to be a Catholic priest with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart? It may be an entirely new question or perhaps it has been on your mind for some time and won’t go away. As 2019 begins perhaps now is as good as a time as any to find out more. We are happy to help in whatever way we can. Perhaps there are specific questions you might like answers to or maybe you want to simply have a chat over a coffee. It might be a once off thing or it could lead to a longer conversation. You decide. We believe that God calls everyone, including yourself, and it our role to help you find out what that might be.

 

 

Who we are

There are over two thousand of Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (or MSCs as we are more commonly known) ministering in Ireland, England, and in fifty other countries around the world. As religious, community life is important to us. We live and pray together, but then work in a wide variety of situations, based on a person’s gifts. We minister in parishes, retreat ministry, schools, hospitals, prisons, universities – well, wherever we think we’re needed. At the moment we have men in Venezuela living in some of the poorest barrios; there are brothers working on islands in the Pacific that are being profoundly impacted by climate change; and we have priests in Ireland ministering to families in Dublin, Cork and Galway.

 

What we believe

Our spirituality is about sharing the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus with all those around us, especially those in any kind of need. Pope Francis speaks about the need for us to be, “Missionaries of God’s love and mercy.” This invitation, better still this challenge, has never been more important than it is today. There is a huge hunger for the Gospel message. What’s needed now are men who have the joy, courage, and faith to share it. In addition since our foundation, the MSCs have emphasised the need for a sense of humour in our way of life. As you get more involved in ministry at the margins you realise what a gift it is!

 

Where to from here

If you would like to find out more you can call Fr. Alan Neville MSC, our Vocations Director on +353 (0) 86 785 7955 Ireland or +44 (0) 75 2676 4236 UK or simply email him on vocations@mscmissions.ie He will be happy to speak with you and provide a listening ear, as you discern where God is calling you. In the meantime have a look at some of the stories below of people like yourself who were asking some of the same questions and took a leap of faith.

 

 

 

 

Read about our Novices’ celebration of their first profession.

Giacomo, a doctor in chemical engineering from Italy now studying theology in Dublin, talks about his experience working with people with disabilities in the L’Arche Community in Cork.

Making A Difference with MSC Volunteering 2018

Roisin Brennan, a childcare worker from Kilkenny, shares some of her experiences on the MSC Volunteering Project 2018:

“Where to start … Well I’m already considering returning in the future. The people here are so welcoming. You are guaranteed to have a great laugh with the children and staff. There are hugs galore and the children really do touch your heart. They are so happy to have volunteers to play with and teach them new games, I have learnt a lot from the children and working as a team at Holy Family Centre.

 

The winter camp was great fun. The children loved baking, crafts, and having someone to run get out and play with. Time flies, as everyday there is a new adventure to be had.

 

The Holy Family Centre is situated in a stunning, rural location, surrounded by the spectacular Drakensburg Mountains. There is a great atmosphere in the local town. The support from Fr. Alan and Sr. Susan in the MSC Volunteering Programme was fantastic from start to finish. Sr. Sally, the director of Holy Family, works tirelessly to keep everything running smoothly has offered endless support throughout our time here.

 

I would highly recommend the whole experience!” (more…)