Message from the Superior General for 8th December 2008

On Monday 8th December 2008 we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and the Foundation Day of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

As is customary, our Superior General, Fr. Mark McDonald MSC, has written a letter to the whole congregation.

He begins, "Greetings to all of you and best wishes as we celebrate the 154th anniversary of the foundation of our Congregation on December 8, feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. May her intercession continue to guide our little Society and make it possible for us to realize everywhere our mission of making the Heart that reveals God’s love known and loved by all".

Currently Fr. Mark is in the Phillipines to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of that Mission. In his letter he mentions some of the particular challenges being faced throughout our Missions today. He goes on to consider the importance of keeping justice and peace issues at the forefront of our Mission.

He invites all Missionaries of the Sacred Heat "to use the occasion of our annual celebration to reflect on the importance of work for justice, peace and integrity of creation in your own life and ministry. JPIC is not a special ministry reserved for a few confreres. It is an integral part of the ministry of all of us. It is a part of our charism and of our history. Each province may have a JPIC coordinator but his role is to facilitate communication and to raise the consciousness of the rest of us".

You can read the full text of Fr. Mark's letter here.