New Regional Superior for S Africa
ImageAt the end of a week-long Regional Conference (26-30 January 2009) the assembled MSC members of the Southern African Region of the Irish Province elected Fr Frank Bray MSC as their new Regional Superior. 

Fr Frank was confirmed as the new Superior by the Irish Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC after consultation with his Council.  Fr Pat was attending the Conference along with Provincial Council member and Director of the Mission Support Centre, Fr Michael O'Connell MSC.

New Regional Superior for Southern Africa

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Fr Frank Bray MSC
At the end of a week-long Regional Conference (26-30 January 2009) the assembled MSC members of the Southern African Region of the Irish Province elected Fr Frank Bray MSC as their new Regional Superior. 

Fr Frank was confirmed as the new Superior by the Irish Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC after consultation with his Council.  Fr Pat was attending the Conference along with Provincial Council member and Director of the Mission Support Centre, Fr Michael O'Connell MSC.  Both Frs Pat and Michael will remain in South Africa for another couple of weeks to visit the members and the various mission areas and projects.

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Fr Frank Bray is congratulated by the Provincial, Fr Pat Courtney MSC

Fr Frank, who was born in Dublin in 1956 has ministered in South Africa since 1996.  Initially he was working in the MSC mission area of Ofcolaco in Tzaneen Diocese in the north of the country.  In more recent years he has been director of the Mission Promotion Office in South Africa.  In addition, during the administration of the last Regional Leadership Team he has been Regional Bursar and has also been responsible for the Pre-Novitiate students who are currently studying in Cameroun.  Before travelling to South Africa Fr Frank had worked in Parish ministry in Tamworth, Staffordshire (England) and Killinarden, Dublin (Ireland).  He was also Dean of Students at the MSC College in Carraig na bhFear, Co Cork, for a number of years.

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Fr Frank with young people in South Africa

Fr Frank takes over from Fr Jimmy Stubbs MSC who has been Regional Superior for the last three years.  Fr Jimmy will be taking a short break before taking up an an appointment as Parish Priest in Uppermill in Yorkshire, England.  He replaces Fr Joe Falloon MSC who at 80 years of age is finally retiring from full-time ministry.

The Regional Conference also elected Frs Jonas Mokoena MSC, Vincent Sello MSC and Herman Van Dijck MSC as members of the Regional Council.  Fr Frank will name a further two members of the Council.  The new regional Leadership Team will take up their three-year term of office on February 17th 2009.