MSC Presence in the Southern States of the USA

Origins and scope of the USA Section

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Fr Pat O'Shea MSC in parish ministry in San Antonio
From 1933 Irish MSCs had been stopping off in the USA on their way to and from the South Seas missions.  During their time there fundraising activities were organised by their relatives and friends to provide finances for the missionary work.  

In time, some stayed in the USA for a while to help out in parishes and continue their fundraising efforts before returning to their missions or to Ireland.

However, by 1961 some MSCs returning to Ireland after spending many years on the missions in Africa or New Guinea were asked to consider making themselves available for a period of time for parish ministry in the Southern States of the USA.  

By 1966 this had become a more regular practice and the cluster of MSCs ministering in the Southern States was formally constituted as a community and the first superior was appointed.  By the mid 1970's the area of the Southern States and California was erected as a Section of the Irish Province with its own Sectional Superior based in San Antonio, Texas.


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Fr Richard O'Rourke MSC with children during a parish liturgy
The Section today

The Section has continued to thrive as more MSCs have joined the community in the Southern States - some returning from many years of missionary work in New Guinea, South Africa and Venezuela, and some opting for ministry in the US from Ireland and England.  Today some 21 MSCs minister in Texas and California, predominantly in parishes.  Many of these parishes are in poorer, Hispanic communities populated by the large number of migrants entering the USA from Mexico and the other countries of Central and South America.

Many of the MSCs in the Southern States have previously worked on the missions in South Africa, New Guinea or Venezuela.


Collaborative Partnerships

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A group of MSC Lay Associates in discussion at a recent US Section Assembly

Collaboration has been a longstanding hallmark of MSC ministry in the Southern States.  For many years lay ministers have worked in close partnership with MSCs in parish ministry.  There are also several lively groups of Lay Associates attached to some of the parishes where the MSCs have served.  We are particularly delighted that a strong relationship has been forged over recent years with the United States Province of the MSCs and that there is now a common formation programme in San Antonio, Texas, for the students of both the US Section of the Irish Province and the USA Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.




Prayer for the US Section

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Fr Kevin Shanahan MSC in conversation
Lord,
We thank you for the welcome we have received
over many years in the Southern United States;
for the hospitality and generosity of many benefactors
who have supported our missions elsewhere.
Inspire and sustain our ministerial presence in the Southern States,
support and encourage our many partners in mission,
that we may always be a heart-felt sign of your love and compassion
to a growing and vibrant multi-cultural Church.
Amen.