In 2009 Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) are celebrating the centenary of their arrival of in Ireland. Events throughout the year will include a civic reception on 3 March by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Brian Bermingham; a Mass of Thanksgiving in St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s Cathedral, Cork on 16 May; a national pilgrimage to Knock Shrine on 25 July, and publication of a booklet of prayers.
A special pilgrimage to the Shrines of France on 21-27 June will include Issoudun where the order was founded in 1854.
There are now up to 2000 priests and brothers in MSC in 50 countries and 140 in the Irish province which includes other countries. The missionaries work in South Africa, Venezuela and Russia and of late vocations have been very prevalent in those countries.
“Vocations are declining here, and our students currently are coming predominantly from South Africa and Venezuela and they are producing now what we sometimes call indigenous priests,” Matt Moran, MSC told ciNews.
“Our main house of study (for seminarians) is in South Africa. Vocations are coming from the Southern Hemisphere rather than the Northern.”
In Ireland MSC is in Cork, Waterford, Galway and elsewhere and involved with retreat centres, running parishes, lecturing, chaplaincy and counselling amongst other activities.
Under the slogan of “Called to be the Heart of God on Earth” the centenary programme of events will celebrate the establishment of MSC’s first house at Western Road in Cork.
Events will include an exhibition depicting the work of MSCs at home and in developing countries in public libraries throughout Cork city and county, as well as in other counties. A series of public lectures in association with the Irish Catholic newspaper are also planned.
A history of MSC missionary endeavour in South Africa – To Cape Town and Back – written by Fr. Michael Crowley – a native of west Cork – has already been published.
The launch of the celebrations is tonight, Tuesday, 6 January at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Church, Western Road.
The guest speakers are Mr. Pat Cox, former President of the European Parliament and Fr. Michael Curran, MSC who served for two terms of Superior General of MSC in Rome. Bishop John Buckley will impart his blessing to the large gathering of friends and supporters who are expected to attend.
Choral entertainment is by the Waterford and Omagh Peace Choir who make their first appearance in Cork. This cross community choir embraces the various Christian traditions north and south in Ireland. With a wide-ranging repertoire of gospel, folk and even some uplifting pop they received international acclaim for their beautiful and dignified performance at the service marking the 10th anniversary of the Omagh bombing which was broadcast live on BBC and UTV television.
“Their youthful dedication to singing and to the promotion of peace and charity makes them a very fitting choice for the launch of our centenary celebrations as we remember with gratitude those Missionaries of the Sacred Heart who departed from Sacred Heart Church since 1909 to such far flung places as Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia; later to South Africa and Venezuela; and more recently to establish a mission in Russia” said Fr. Joe McGee, Deputy Provincial of MSC and chairman of the Centenary Committee.
The website – www.mscireland.com at Centennial in Ireland – contains information about the early history of MSCs in Cork and the part played by Fr. Michael Tierney – a native of Churchtown, Charleville – in establishing the Society in Ireland, as well as various photos and images.
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(Source: CIN)