Acknowledging Brother Jos Beelen MSC, 95.
Sunday, October 18rh sees the birthday of our confrere Brother Jos Beelen. He turns 95.
Jos was born in Holland and grew up there, including during the war years. He and some of his family migrated to Australia.
He joined the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in his early 30s, making his novitiate in 1957-1958, making his profession on the then traditional date for Brothers’ professions, August 5th, 1958.
He has been on the staff of MSC Colleges, but was appointed in 1964 to the MSC General House in Rome. It was the time of Vatican II with many MSC bishops staying there for the sessions of the Council and the General Administration hosting dinners and hospitality for those attending the Council. In recent years, he has been living at the Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington and, more recently, at St Joseph’s Home, Kensington.
