THE MISSION OF CHRIST

The human family of God has been endowed with great gifts and talents and has a history of very impressive achievements. However the human family is also capable of great suffering and failures. The human condition is essentially very vulnerable, weak and limited. In our first reading today we meet Job. In his present psychological state he is a typical example of how miserable a human life can become. That is why when God intervenes in our lives and history it is always to bring about healing and compassionate service.

From Monday 16th - Wednesday 18th January, some 30 Lay Associates joined the members of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who live and minister in Texas, USA, for the annual Sectional Assembly. Excellent facilities and hospitality were provided by St. Anthony's Parish Centre, where Fr. Kevin Shanahan msc is pastor. Sr. Bridget Marie, Incarnate Word Sister, facilitated the conference, which included ten new MSC Lay Associates. Music for the Mass each day was provided by St. Anthony's parish music director, Jose Castillo, who has recently, with the parish choirs, released a CD of liturgical music, "St Anthony of Padua: A Spiritual Tapestry." Dave Nixon attended on behalf of the Provincial leadership team.

From Monday the 2^nd of January the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Venezuela met for their Regional Conference in the Betania Retreat House in the foothills of the Andes. They were joined by Joe McGee, the Provincial of the Irish Province, and his Vice Provincial Alan Whelan. This meeting of professed members of the Region happens annually with the goal of developing community among the MSC brothers and their lay associates.

Fr. Tom Hewitt concludes his reflections for Advent and Christmas.

Each evening before supper, our small community in St. Albans tries to gather for prayer. Last Tuesday our routine was shattered by a baby! He came to join us when his mother brought him in through the public door of our house chapel. Misha engaged wholeheartedly in our devotions, showing a strong literal desire to devour God’s word (Cf. Ezk 3: 1-3)!

Over the past three days Fr Michael has celebrated a special Christmas Triduum of Masses at the Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, for the intentions of benefactors and friends of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. In the winter MSC Message Fr. Michael wrote:

Winter is about to arrive. I hope you have enjoyed the summer months and have had a chance for some relaxation with your family and friends. As I write this letter to you, I am keenly aware that Advent – one of the most beautiful times of the year – is nearly upon us.

Congratulations to Fr. Tom Hewitt MSC who received an MA in Comparative Religions with distinction from Heythrop College, London. Tom was presented with his Certificate on Wednesday 14^th December 2011. As part of Tom's studies he spent a number of weeks in India at the Shantivanam Ashram studying the work of Bede Griffiths.

Fr. Johnny Abu Khalil, Parish Priest of Nablus in Palestine, spoke at the Parish of Ss Alban and Stephen at the beginning of December. He was invited to come to the UK by Pax Christi as part of a lecture tour that sought to raise awareness of the plight of Christians in the Holy Land.

Fr. Thomas Hewitt MSC continues his advent reflection

‘Who do you think you are?’

Famous people try to answer that question during a popular programme on the BBC. They are helped to research their ancestry; invariably, after a few steps backwards through the generations, they come in for some shocks. Can we expect surprises among the two long lists of Jesus’ ancestors (Mt 1:1-17; Lk 3:23-38)? We can! A little biblical research uncovers several, not quite ‘respectable’ characters figuring in the genealogy of the Son of God.

The Console Christmas Celebration of Light commemorates the lives lost through Suicide. This year in Cork it was celebrated at the beginning of Advent in the Sacred Heart Parish, Western Road. This was one of the most important event's in Console's calender, inviting families and friends to come together in solidarity to remember the lives of their friends and loved ones.

Fr. Tom Hewitt MSC continues his Advent reflections ...

If I look back, I often catch myself saying, ‘If only’. ... The past is unchangeable - what I have done cannot be undone; missed opportunities are gone forever - but most of us have an Advent yearning to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. This longing was enshrined in the Jewish ‘Jubilee’. After seven times seven years had passed, during the fiftieth, Jubilee, year, debts were forgiven and slaves regained their freedom (at least in theory!).

Fr Joseph McGee

November 30th 2011

On November 29th 2011 the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart received our report from the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland with regard to the management of allegations of child sexual abuse matters within the Society.  We requested this review in August 2011. 

Fr. Tom Hewitt MSC continues his Advent reflections ...

I used to begin Advent well when I lived in Tamworth. On the afternoon of the first Sunday I would join the crowds squeezing into the Baptist Chapel of a small Derbyshire town for the singing of The Messiah. This experience was an oasis of rare pre-Christmas calm for all of us. I invite you to join me in that crowd, even though our experience will be brief.

On Saturday, November 19th, the MSC Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Group had an inspiring day with Scott Albrecht. Scott is an anti-trafficking activist, a long standing member of the Catholic Worker Movement and a good friend of the MSCs. Members of JPIC groups from Tamworth, Birmingham, St Albans and Cork gathered together to be challenged by Scott's message and example.

Christmas is a time when we take the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our saviour, an event that took place some two thousand years ago, in a small town in a backwater of the mighty Roman Empire. But this miracle is alive and present for each one of us today. Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on the mystery of the Incarnation said that "Christ came into the world with the shout of a king to command our obedience, but with the cry of a child to invite our love."

It can be difficult, even impossible to hear this cry, as our lives today are so busy and rushed. This Advent is an opportunity to prepare, to listen and to open ourselves in a new way to the birth of Christ in our hearts. 

As part of our preparation for the celebration of Christmas Fr. Tom Hewitt MSC will share an Advent reflection for each of the next four Sundays.

Fr Tom writes...

Fr. Manus Ferry MSC has been welcomed to Sacred Heart Parish, Killinarden in Dublin. His official induction took place in October during a weekend Mass and was led by the Most Reverend Eamonn Walsh, DD. He was accompanied by Fr Joe McGee MSC, Fr. John McCarthy MSC and Fr. David Brough, the Parish Priest of St. Martin de Porres.

It was an occasion of great celebration for the entire community. The Mass was followed by a reception for parishioners, family members and friends, hosted by the hospitality team of the Family Resource Centre.

Last Thursday, the 17th of November, a conference was held in honour of Fr Martin McNamara MSC in St Patrick's College, Maynooth. The conference, entitled Text, Targum and Testament, acknowledged the tremendous contribution of Fr Martin has made in the field of biblical scholarship. In recognition of his commitment to academic excellence he was conferred with a doctorate honoris causa by the Faculty of Theology.

The following are two extracts from the formal citation by Fr. Seamus O'Connell, Professor of Sacred Scripture, St. Patrick's College, Maynooth, at the recent conferral of Fr. Martin McNamara MSC.

From October 28th to the 30th there is an opportunity for those who are exploring a call to religious life. This weekend will be open to young adults between the ages of 18 to 35.

This weekend will give you space to reflect on God's call to religious life and priesthood. It will take place in the Princethorpe Retreat Centre, Princethorpe, Nr Rugby, Warwickshire.

If you wish to have further information you can call Fr Dave Nixon MSC for more details - +44 07918 638013.

You can download the flyer in pdf here.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart finally bid farewell to their ministry in Grace Dieu Retreat and Conference Centre in Waterford at the beginning of September.

The celebration gathered those who had been part of the many retreat teams working at Grace Dieu, past and present members of staff, volunteers and local people.  Despite the great sadness at Grace Dieu's closure, the event gave an opportunity for the sharing of many cherished memories and celebrating the diversity and richness of ministry experienced by so many.

At the General Chapter in El Escorial, Spain, a new General Leadership Team was elected on Wednesday 21st September.

The Superor General, Fr Mark McDonald MSC had been elected the previous week.  Today four members were chosen as General Assistants and as members of the General Council.  They are Fr. Rafael Rodriguez (currently Provincial of the Dominican Republic) , Fr Carl Tranter (Currently Deputy Provincial of the Irish Province), Fr Franciscus Wahyudi (currently Assistant General in Rome) and Fr Chris McPhee (currently Novice Master in Australia).  The four members of the General Council will serve a term of six years and will take up residence in Rome over the coming months.

In the picture, L-R: Fr Carl Tranter, Fr Chris McPhee, Fr Franciscus Wahyudi, Fr Rafael Rodriguez and Fr Mark McDonald.

On the evening of Tuesday September 13th Fr Mark McDonald MSC from the USA Province was re-elected as Superior General of the Society of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, to serve a second mandate for a period of six years.

The MSC General Chapter is currently taking place in El Escorial, Spain.  On the morning of Saturday 10th September 20 persons were nominated for the office of Superior General.  The days that followed allowed for prayerful discernment and informal conversation about the nominees and the needs of the Society at this time.

The XXIVth General Chapter of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart commenced in El Escorial, near Madrid, on Tuesday 6th September.

80 delegates, representing the worldwide Congregation which is currently present in 55 countries, gathered for three weeks of prayerful reflection, evaluation, discernment and planning under the theme "Obedience and Mission".  The motto for the Chapter is "In verbo tuo laxzbo rete" (At your word I shall cast the net).

Towards Healing is a free and confidential counselling and support service for survivors of Institutional, Clerical and Religious Abuse.

Please call their Helpline on Freephone: (IRE) 1800-303416 or (UK & N IRL)  0800-0963315.  Their website is www.towardshealing.ie

Hours of Opening: Mondays & Wednesdays: 11am – 8pm, Fridays: 11am – 4pm

After 33 years of ministry, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart bid farewell to the parish of St John the Baptist in Tamworh, Staffordshire on the last weekend of August 2011.

The MSC took over administration of the parish from the Archdiocese of Birmingham in 1978.  Since then much has changed: a second Church and second Catholic Primary School were built, the population of the town multiplied four-fold, and the parish has become a thriving community of faith and service in which many parishioners are actively involved in a variety of ministries.

The Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, and especially its Region of Venezuela, has great joy in announcing the ordination to the priesthood of Yonys Mendoza MSC on 16th June, the Feast of Jesus, Eternal High Priest.

Yonys was ordained by Monsignor Castor Oswaldo Azuaje, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Maracaibo in the MSC Parish of Our Lady of Peace in La Victoria, Maracaibo.

On Saturday 11th June MSC and lay members of the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group met in the MSC Parish of St John the Baptist, Tamworth.

In all there were 7 MSC and 11 parishioners from Tamworth, St Albans, Dublin, Birmingham and Cork gathered to continue to reflect on the adopted theme for 2011 of homelessness and to plan the activities of the group for the coming year.

The Provincial-elect, Fr Joe McGee MSC, has announced the final two members of his incoming Provincial Leadership Team.

Fr Pat O'Sullivan (left), currently Parish Priest of the Parish of Kilmacabea (Leap and Glandore, West Cork) and Fr Charles Sweeney (right), currently Parish Priest of St Albans in Hertfordshire, England will join Frs Carl Tranter, Dave Nixon and Alan Whelan in making up the new Team.

Fr Joe also announced the appointment of Fr Carl Tranter MSC as the new Deputy Provincial.

The new Provincial Administration will take up office on August 1st 2011.

The latest edition of the MSC Message has just been published by the Mission Support Centre in Cork.

It focusses on the continuing efforts of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to be at the front line of the response to AIDS and HIV in Southern Africa.

There is also all the usual news from across the Irish Province.

Download a copy of the latest edition here.

The Provincial Chapter of the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart closed after a final celebration of Eucharist on Friday 20th May 2011.

The Mass, led by Fr Pat Courtney MSC (Provincial) and Fr Joe McGee MSC (Provincial elect), gave thanks for all that had been achieved over the past two weeks. Members of our Congregation from five different continents came together to discern where God was calling us in these changing times.

Tuesday 17th May at the Provincial Chapter was dedicated to elections.  After a morning of prayer and discernment, both individually and in small groups, the members of Chapter proceeded to the Chapel for the election, first, of three members of the Provincial Leadership Team.  The following were elected in order: Carl Tranter MSC, Dave Nixon MSC and Alan Whelan MSC.  (Pictured L-R: Dave, Carl and Alan).

In the afternoon, after an address by the Assistant General, Fr Arci Abellana MSC, on the theme of the General Chapter (Obedience and Mission), the group proceeded to elect delegates to the General Chapter.  Vicente Buitrago (working in Venezuela) and Diarmuid O'Murchu MSC (working in England) were elected.  Steve Rogers (working in Russia) and Charles Conroy (working in Ireland) were elected as substitutes.

Read more on the Chapter page and view the photos here.

The Provincial Chapter of the Irish Province began in Grace Dieu Manor Retreat and Conference Centre, Waterford, on the evening of Monday 9th May 2011.  Some 64 people gathered as part of the Chapter community.

After an Opening Liturgy lead by the Chapter Preparatory Group the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney, led the members out of the Chapel and into the Chapter Hall for the opening session.

Regular updates from the Chapter can be found on this website at the specially created Chapter page.  Photographs from the Chapter will also be uploaded to a special Flickr page which you can access here.

On Sunday 8th May the parishioners of St Albert's parish, Stockbridge Village, Liverpool, gathered together with their Parish Priest, Fr Manus Ferry MSC, the Irish Provincial Superior, Fr Patrick Courtney MSC, Bishop Vincent Malone and a good number of MSC priests and clergy from the Liverpool Diocese, to  celebrate 45 years of MSC ministry in St Albert's since the beginnings of the parish.

The celebrations and fond memories were matched in equal measure by the sadness of the recent decision of the Irish Province to hand over responsibility for the Parish to the Archdiocese.  The MSC have ministered in the parish since its foundation in 1966 but will leave St Alberts in August of this year.

Sunday 15th May is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations or Vocations Sunday.

The Gospel for that Sunday is taken from John Chapter 10 which reflects on Jesus as the Good Shepherd.   For that reason it is also often called Good Sheherd Sunday.

We invite you to take a moment to read the Gospel (Jn. 10:1-10)  and then follow this link to read a reflection written by our Vocation Director, Fr Dave Nixon.

The Provincials of the eight European Provinces of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart met in Rome for five days at the beginning of April.

The irish Province was represented at the meeting by Fr Pat Courtney MSC, Provincial, and Fr Joe McGee MSC, Provincial-Elect.  Also present was Fr Carl Tranter MSC who is the permanent secretary to the European Provincials' Conference.

The 2011 MSC Members Mission Draw has taken place at the Mission Support Centre in Cork and the winners are announced.

Overall there are 148 prize winners who have been notified of their win by post.

A list of the 40 major prize winners can be viewed by clicking here.

The Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart is pleased to announce the election of Fr. Joseph McGee MSC as its next Provincial Superior.

Fr. Joe will succeed the present Provincial, Fr. Patrick Courtney MSC, some time later this year at a date to be determined by the Provincial Chapter that will take place in May.  Fr. Pat has been Provincial since 2005.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are hosting a Searchers' Day for any man between the ages of 18 and 45 years of age at their community on the Western Road in Cork City on April 10th 2011 between 10.00am and 4.00pm.

We invite you to join us to consider and explore vocation to the missionary priesthood and how that vocation may be lived at home or abroad as part of an MSC religious community.  For further information please visit the vocations page: www.mscvocations.com

The MSC Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group has launched its campaign for 2011 - Heart for the Homeless.

Following a successful day's workshop in St Albans at the end of November, it was decided to adopt one overarching theme for the whole of 2011.

Full details of the campaign, together with a set of resources, can be accessed on the JPIC page of this website - www.mscireland.com/jpic.  We have also launched a Facebook page for the group where we can interact with one another (The group is called "MSC Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation UK and Ireland").  Do join us!

The lay members of the Chevalier Family in the Irish Province have just published their latest newsletter..

Fr. Chevalier saw the human heart of Jesus as a manifestation of God’s love for all of us. That love is the source of our Spirituality of the Heart.  The MSC Lay Associates share in that mission to grow in the love of God, love of oneself and love of neighbour in all aspects of their lives.

The MSC Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation group (JPIC) for Ireland and England hosted a day of reflection and planning in St Albans, on Saturday 27th November 2010.

Despite adverse weather conditions some 20 people attended the day; MSCs from a variety of ministries and parishioners from the MSC parishes of St Albans and Tamworth.  Sadly because of the snow some participants were unable to travel.

Myross Wood, the MSC retreat house in West Cork, Ireland, has just unveiled a new website.

In addition to giving the full programme of retreats and events over the coming year, the site gives a comprehensive history of the house which sits in a most magnificent setting.

The website can be visited at www.myrosswood.ie.

A prominent feature of this issue is a report by Fr Michael O'Connell MSC on his recent visit to our mission in Southern Russia.

There is also all the usual round-up of news from across the Province.

Click here to download a copy of the latest edition.

The Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart invites young men (18– 45 yrs) to take some time out to examine, explore, seek and discern around vocation to priesthood and religious life.

The Searchers' Day will be held on Saturday 6th November 2010 from 10.00am to 4.00pm at the Sacred Heart Centre, Western Road, Cork, Ireland (booking essential.)

For enquiries, please contact Fr  John Fitzgerald MSC , Vocations Director, on +353 86 8626007 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

From the 22nd to the 26th of  September the annual meeting of the Young MSCs of Europe (those in formation and those finally professed for 10 years or less) took place in Waterford in the south of Ireland.

Ten young MSCs gathered from across the eight European Provinces, including the four novices who recently began their novitiate in Cork City (Michael O'Rourke, our English novice, together with two Italians, Matteo Zinna and Andrea Ruju, and one German, Markus Mehner).

The MSCs in Venezuela recently gathered together in a retreat centre high in the Andes mountains for their annual retreat.

The new academic year at our MSC-founded school, Princethorpe College, began with a day of formation for all staff in MSC ethos and spirituality.

The idea was the initiative of the new Headmaster, Mr Ed Hester, who after only a year at the helm of the Warwickshire Catholic Independent Schools Foundation, has forged strong links with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

It is that time of year again!  The National Ploughing Championship will be taking place at Cardenton, Athy, Co Kildare from Tuesday 21^st to Thursday 23^rd of September.

As Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we are called to share the life of the people in every human situation. Having our own stand at the Championships each year gives us the opportunity to meet many of our benefactors and supporters, not least those from counties where we do not have an MSC community.

Come along and say hello!

On Sunday 5th September the MSC Justice and Peace Group hosted a full day of reflection in the MSC parish at Tamworth in Staffordshire (England).

The day was led by Diarmuid O'Murchu MSC and gathered seven MSC members of the JPIC group for Ireland and England together with lay members of the Justice and Peace groups in the Parishes of Tamworth and St Albans.

The Compass Project is a discernment programme aimed at young adults in the North of England who are wondering about religious life or priesthood. It is a community experience where a group of young adults come together on a regular basis throughout a year to pray, discuss and share their experiences together – for a weekend each month.

The project is being facilitated by Fr Dave Nixon MSC, the Vocations Director for the Irish Province, along with Sr Mary Anne Francalanza FCJ.

With great joy we announce that on Wednesday 1^st September a new MSC Novitiate opened in Cork.

After several years without a novitiate in Ireland we are delighted to welcome four novices from the European Provinces to spend their special spiritual year of formation in Cork City.  We are particularly delighted that one of the four Novices is from our MSC Parish in Stockbridge Village, Liverpool and will be the newest member of the Irish Province.

At the end of the Novitiate the novices will make their First Profession of temporary vows as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

The anual Novena to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart takes place this year at Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork from Aug 31st – Sept 8th.  Masses are at 10am & 8pm daily.

This year the Novena is being preached by Fr. Patsy Kelly MSC, a native of Hacketstown, Co. Carlow

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