MSC Centennial In Ireland - 2009
Visit of the President of Ireland
March 3rd 2009
Fr Michael Carrick (left) and Fr Pat Courtney (right) make a presentation to President and Mr McAleese
The visit was a special and significant moment in a year long celebration of the hundredth anniversary of that foundation in 1909.
During the course of the visit President McAleese launched a photographic exhibition depicting the early departures of missionaries from Ireland and the humanitarian work they undertake in mission countries.
President McAleese addresses the gathering
In her address President McAleese paid tribute to the many MSC who have served the Church at home and overseas during the last 100 years:
“It is good to be in your company in particular to celebrate 100 years of service by Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Ireland, and to say ‘thank you’ for all that you have invested in this country and in your outreach missions to so many other countries.”
“It is important to say ‘thank you’, so richly deserved for 100 years of humble and compassionate work that was driven by the heart. I know that Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have a special charism that focuses on and around the heart. The heart is the engine that drives us. It is a symbol of all that is good. It showcases for us what we are capable of doing. It is about giving rather than about receiving. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart found that love has the capacity to change first of all the individual person committed to this vocation, and then through their show-casing of that love and the generous giving, to draw from them a loving response that in turn is generous across the world with things that are good, things that are uplifting to help us get through life, things that heal people, reconcile, and make sense of their lives and their suffering.”
Assembles MSC and guests listen to the President
In expressing her gratitude for all that has been undertaken by the MSC, she was also keen to recognise the importance of the support of countless benefactors and friends.
“I know that that outreach could not have been possible without the support and generosity of local people here and throughout Ireland. The priests came back with their stories … stories that inspired people to help them in their expression of love and compassion... and inspired them to be instruments of care for others.”
The President with Frs Alan Neville MSC and Michael Carrick MSC
In response to the words of the President, Fr Patrick Courtney MSC (Provincial Superior) expressed his deep gratitude for the honour paid to the Irish Province by this visit. “I thank you for launching our photographic exhibition, which shows the early days of our MSC society in Cork, some places of ministry, as well as missionaries departing for the various missions overseas. “
“I thank you for your well chosen words to us. I note with keen interest and deep appreciation your knowledge of our history as a religious congregation, of our spirituality, of our expansion and developments within Ireland and abroad and of our ministry undertakings, in various places, in particular in our missionary involvement overseas. This latter has been and is today a priority ministry for us. “
“We treasure very much your kind words of appreciation and encouragement. They offer us affirmation, energy and inspiration. Above all they enable us to keep focused on the core values of our identity and mission as religious. “
Fr Michael Carrick MSC and Fr Alan Neville MSC with the image of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart at the foot of the Cross
After the speeches the President was offered a gift of a small mounted statue of the "Issoudun Calvary". The full size statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart standing at the foot of the Cross is in the Sanctuary of the Basilica in Issoudun, France, the foundation place of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. This contemporary image is very much at the centre of the special way Missionaries of the Sacred Heart see and understand the place of Mary as "Our Lady of the Sacred Heart".
The presentation was made by Fr Michael Carrick MSC who, at 98 years of age, is the oldest member of the Province.
President McAleese was also introduced to the youngest MSC priest in the Irish Province, Fr Alan Neville MSC who had been ordained in Sacred Heart Church, Western Road just two weeks previously.
Accompanied by Fr Michael O'Connell MSC (Director of the Mission Support Centre) and Fr Pat Courtney MSC (Provincial), the President and her husband view the exhibition
President McAleese and her husband then took time to look at a photographic exhibition which has been prepared by the Mission Support Centre, depicting both the history and current reality of MSC missionary undertalings begun from Ireland.
The President also took time to meet and talk with many of the MSCs and friends who had gathered at the Sacred Heart Parish Centre.
A full transcript of the President's address and Fr Pat Courtney's response can be read here.
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