People at prayer: the Novena at Sacred Heart Church, Cork
In Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork Also in Grace Dieu Retreat Centre, Waterford
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A grace-filled time
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| Fr. Brendan Hanley, msc leads the Novena Prayer |
Fr. Joe was then followed by Fr. John Fitzgerald MSC for the next three days, and then Fr. Brendan Hanley MSC took over and brought the Novena to a close on the 11 of June – the Feast of the Sacred Heart. In the image of the Sacred Heart we discover a God whose love for each one of us is intensely personal and always faithful. Ours is a God who takes a personal interest in each one of us who cares passionately about what ails us and whose deepest desire is to answer our prayers.
This year students doing their Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations featured very much in the Novena. A ceremonial candle burned asking the Lord to guide them. A special Triduum of Masses was offered on the 6 of June when Fr. Michael O’Connell co-celebrated, and on the 7 and 8 June. Students in the Cork area were invited to these Masses and those elsewhere could join in prayer.
On 10 June there was an all-day vigil of prayer and reflection. Recognising the current economic climate that is causing problems for many individuals and families, we prayed for those enduring financial problems or loss of jobs.
Throughout the Novena a copy of the Golden Book of the Sacred Heart was displayed at the altar, along with the petitions received from donors throughout the country and Great Britain.
Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart |
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O Divine Jesus, who said, "Ask and you shall receive", I kneel at your feet. From whom shall I ask if not from you, whose heart is the source of all blessings. With a lively faith in you, I come to ask.... I admit I am most unworth of your favours, Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. You are the God of mercies and You will not refuse a contrite heart. Look with pity on me, I beg you, and your compassionate Heart will find in my weakness a motive for granting my request. Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me. |
Shrine to the Sacred Heart
Organist Marie supplies the music
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Come rest in the Love of the Lord for us
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Holy Anointing
Oils display
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The Novena in Grace Dieu Retreat Centre, Waterford
Now in its fifth year, the public Novena to the Sacred Heart at Grace Dieu attracted a lot of interest.
As well as the 130 benefactors who reside here during the nine days, a growing number of local Waterford and Tramore people joined us for our novena Masses morning and evening.
All who came speak of the peace and welcome they find in Grace Dieu and they come back the following day often with a friend or two extra.
We are very grateful to Fr. Michael O’Connell, Director of the MSC Mission Support Centre in Cork, who spends so much time here. The donors especially love to see the man who writes them all the lovely letters throughout the year.
We concluded with a great celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart with the community, donors and friends.
Fr. Donie McCarthy looking after the Mass intentions
Ladies enjoying the peace of the grounds of Grace Dieu
Taking a rest between ceremonies
Nourished by both prayer and good food!
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Fr. Con O' Connell, msc chatting to visitors
Áine welcoming more participants
Bringing special intentions to the Heart of Christ
Fr. Mike Serrage, msc offering Mass
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The 2010 Novena in Myross Wood Retreat Centre in west Cork
The days of the Novena are a wonderful time of prayer, devotion and sharing of each person's story in a most dignified manner.
We have 44 residents for each of the three-day periods throughout the Novena. All of these are donors of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart over a long number of years.
We also have attendances from a wider section of the local Community throughout west Cork at each of the three Masses each day, with a daily attendance of between 1,000 and 1,200.
The whole organisation of the Novena runs very smoothly - the Community of MSCs put in a huge workload, and the staff of the house are excellent - hardworking and patient.
Our neighbours and friends rallied around to help with orderly parking to avoid chaos, and quietly helped out in the background to make the whole organisation of the event seem effortless.
The grounds looked really well with the flowers and lawns having been carefully attended to by Fathers Brendan and Dan. We also had a special shrine to the Sacred Heart which was beautifully decorated by local ladies attached to various flower clubs and who took great interest and pride in their work.
The congregation for each of the three daily Masses was far too large to fit in the Chapel and so an overflow facility was arranged where Mass could be seen and heard by television from the main chapel. Again, this was organised by the generosity of a local man who has both the expertise and the equipment.
The initial suggestion for having a nine-day public Novena came from Fr. Pat Galvin MSC who was home on holidays from South Africa some 15 years ago. The idea was acted on by Fr. Charles Sweeney MSC who gathered a few local people round him to tease out if it would be logistically possible. We are so grateful for their foresight and initiative.
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Fr. Brendan Hanley, msc leads the Novena Prayer
Fr. Dominic Duffy, msc hears confessions
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Fr. Pat O'Sullivan, msc, PP Leap
The congregation in the Chapel
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Everyone gives a hand
Fr. Michael Crowley, msc and friends
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Myross Wood Novena - A Blessing
We have been blessed with the lay people's commitment to prepare for the event. We have been blessed by the very wide resource of lay and cleric preachers. We have been blessed by the music and the commitment of our staff to put food on the table and create a comfortable environment for all. A blessing is the one word that picks up and gives a focus to name the sacredness of this annual celebration of 'Joseph's Dreamcoat'!
Within this special blessing which touches all our lives is generosity of time, talents and goodwill. Within this generosity, and rooted in the faith of the past, is the hope of revival of a more vibrant faith, of a greater openness, as a Retreat Centre, to the needs of the local area, and above all to let God in.
May you too share our blessing."
Fr. Brendan Hanley, msc
Fr. Chevalier on the Heart of Christ
The Heart of the divine master is the centre
on which everything in the Old and New Testament converges,
the pivot around which everything in Catholicism turns,
the sun of the Church,
the soul of our souls,
the source of our mysteries,
the origin of our sacraments,
the pledge of our reconciliation,
the salvation of our world,
the remedy of all ills.
That is how I understand devotion to the Sacred Heart:
it embraces everything it is the answer to everything”.
Fr. Jules Chevalier, founder of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.
MSC Vocation Prayer
Please join with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart as we pray for vocations to our way of life.
God of our lives
you are always calling us
to follow you into the future,
inviting us to new ventures, new challenges,
new ways to care, new ways to touch the hearts of all.
When we are fearful of the unknown, give us courage.
When we worry that we are not up to the task,
remind us that you would not call us if you did not believe in us.
Renew in us your call to be Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus your Son.
May we have the courage to invite and
encourage others to the mission you have entrusted to us.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Adapted from the Iona Community)
