A Letter from Henley Beach Parish:  Noel Mansfield MSC.

First, a reminder that the week of celebrations of MSC in Adelaide is under way. Tomorrow sees the special Mass with Archbishop Patrick O’Regan. There are further events for the rest of the week.

Noel has also sent some photos with the following note: These photos were from Mass last Sunday, Sept 13th at 9.30. I was trying to show the variety of people at Mass - from the young to the old. They also demonstrate social distancing. I was hoping that a few photos would show the way the church has to be set up for Covid 19.

Noel’s letter:

I have been at Henley Beach Parish now for six months. It has taken me time to settle to the routine and get to know how the parish operates.

We have a big week coming up. It all starts next Monday, 21st. There will be a talk each night for the week. It has been in the planning for many months and should tell the story of our MSC presence in this part of the world.

We have been here for over 100 years. So, we a looking back over the century and presenting a vision for the next period of our journey with the people of Henley Beak – and out dedication to the Archdiocese over these significant years – into the future.

To show what we are attempting at this time, I would like to share the overall plan for this time. 

In order to place this event in perspective, we need to acknowledge the MSC’s who have contributed to the parish life of over so many years. We cannot mention all of them at once. However, this occasion happens to coincide intentionally with the first anniversary of the death of Fr. John Rate.  It is also the second anniversary of another MSC, connected with the parish. This is Fr. Frank Perry. Each of them contributed to the parish life in his own particular way. 

We, as Missionaries of the Sacred, wish to acknowledge the contribution of all our confreres who have served the people of Henley Parish over these many years. Whatever we think of particular MSC’s who have served here, we want to acknowledge that they have all served to make this parish what it is today. We recognize that all of them have served here as part of the family of MSC priests and brothers.

Clearly, Paul Cashen’s contribution has been an outstanding feature of the whole episode. At the death of John Rate, he has had to move into areas that he would rather not have had to do. He has had to take up the role of Parish Priest and now as the co-ordinator of this conference concerning our future. He has reached retirement age and now he finds himself in the middle of a conference preparation.

We, as the MSC family would like to thank Paul for taking on this task. We support him in all that he has undertaken.