Displaying items by tag: Missionaries of the Sacred Heart Australia

Forgotten Memories of Dutch and Australian MSC together., World War II.  Liberation of Los Banos. February 22nd, 1945

29 Dutch MSC are freed form the concentration camp at Los Baños, Philippines. 20 of them leave for Australia to recuperate. 

From the bestselling author of Hero Found comes the incredible true story of one of the greatest military rescues of all time, the 1945 World War II prison camp raid at Los Baños in the Philippines—a tale of daring, courage, and heroism that joins the ranks of Ghost Soldiers, Unbroken , and The Boys of Pointe du Hoc.

In February 1945, as the U.S. victory in the Pacific drew nearer, the Japanese army grew desperate, and its soldiers guarding U.S. and Allied POWs more sadistic. Starved, shot and beaten, many of the 2,146 prisoners of the Los Baños prison camp in the Philippines—most of them American men, women and children—would not survive much longer unless rescued soon.

University of Queensland

Deeply concerned about the half-starved and ill-treated prisoners, General Douglas MacArthur assigned to the 11th Airborne Division a dangerous rescue mission deep behind enemy lines that became a deadly race against the clock. The Los Baños raid would become one of the greatest triumphs of that war or any war; hailed years later by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin Powell: “I doubt that any airborne unit in the world will ever be able to rival the Los Baños prison raid. It is the textbook operation for all ages and all armies.”

Maryknoll Missionaries liberated

Combining personal interviews, diaries, correspondence, memoirs, and archival research, Rescue at Los Baños tells the story of a remarkable group of prisoners—whose courage and fortitude helped them overcome hardship, deprivation, and cruelty—and of the young American soldiers and Filipino guerrillas who risked their lives to save them.

Welcome, Samuel Joshua to our MSC Pre-novitiate

Samuel Joshua is from Singapore. He visited Cuskelly House last year and has come now to begin his Pre-Novitiate. Dominic Gleeson will be his director.

The Melbourne MSC Community, members of St Thomas parish, Blackburn, and some friends from Singapore, gathered in the church on Friday afternoon, February 14^th for the ceremony for the beginning of this formation period for Samuel.

It was led by Dominic, scriptural reflections,

hymns and song and images,

lighting of special candles for the year, by Samuel, Mark Hanns, and Margaret O'Loughlin for the parish and the Lay MSC

presentation of a cross from the pre-novitiate men in India and greetings, also from the pre-novitiate group in Fiji (Dominic accompanied both groups last year in their 30 Day retreat.)

And blessing for Samuel as he begins, as Dominic explained using the MSC logo, continuing his path into the Heart of Jesus.

We were welcomed to refreshments and conversation after the ceremony.

The MSC Community, Melbourne, with Krish Mathavan visiting, John Mulrooney present for a Formation Committee meeting. Alo, Trieu and Hoa are away in Indonesia and Vietnam. Unable to be present, Frank Andersen.

Photos, Khoi Nguyen, Geralyn Anderson, Peter Malone

Blessed and Gifted Retreat, St Mary’s Towers, Douglas Park.

Participants in this, the third retreat for the Province. The first was in Melbourne, the second at Kensington Monastery.  

The retreat team leader for all the retreats is Chris Chaplin MSC from the General Leadership.

The team for this retreat, Sister Pauline Compton OLSH and Chung inh Tran MSC, Canberra.

The Retreat House and the grounds offered an excellent location.

And thanks to John Walker MSC for the photos.

MSC Australian Province History, new book available

Word to Images to Digital Communications, Media. MSC Australia is the title of  this book, an e-book.

It will be uploaded on the Province website next year.  But, if you would like to receive a copy in PDF for yourself or for anyone interested, contact the author by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Writers

The book is illustrated with many photos, book covers, media outreach.

Music 

e-books 

Vietnam 

Annals

There are several appendices with article on media and communications and MSC Constitutions and Statutes, the history of media, by Tony Arthur and Peter Malone, an overview of Annals by Paul Stenhouse, on Annals editors by J. F. McMahon. Finally, a list of our media and the names of those involved in each area. 

And as indicated above, if you or anyone would like a PDF copy, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Australian Province, 1 January – 30 June 2024, Analecta record

And a welcome to our new contributor,

                                                   John Walker MSC

Ordinations:

The first ordination of an MSC, Thanh Vu Nguyen, in the Archdiocese of Sai Gon in Ho Chi Minh City, occurred on 29 January 2024.  Thanh was ordained to the diaconate.

On 9 February 2024, Kenji Konda MSC was ordained to the priesthood at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick.  Fr Kenji has been appointed to our mission in Nagoya, Japan.

Toan Dinh Vinh Le MSC was also ordained to the priesthood on 25 May 2024 in Nagoya, Japan.

Golden Jubilees:

Steve Dives and Paul McCormack celebrated their Golden Jubilee of profession (12 January 1974), while Paul and Peter Guy celebrated their 50^th anniversary of ordination (17 May 1974).

Top left: Paul McCormack, Bottom left: Steve Dives & Right: Peter and Paul Guy

Easter Retreat:

Steve Dives offered an Easter-guided retreat at St Mary’s Towers from Sunday, 26 March to Sunday, 31 March, the first of its kind since the retreat house closed during Covid.  It was well attended and received.

Paul Jennings:

Paul returned to Australia from his beloved PNG some years ago due to ill health and lived in the Kensington Monastery community.  However, over recent years, his health continued to deteriorate, and he passed away at the Sacred Heart Hospice on 3 April 2024.  Apart from his missionary services in PNG and his time on the Provincial Council under Brian Gallagher and Bob Irwin, Paul was awarded an OBE by the Government of Papua New Guinea for his services to education and the Church in Milne Bay and PNG.

 St John the Apostle, Kippax, Canberra parish:

Early in the year, several past serving MSCs gathered in Canberra to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of St John’s parish in Kippax.  They included Frank Dineen, Michael Fallon, John Bosman, Michael Nithin, Chris McPhee, Kimi Vunivesilevu, Gerald McCormick and Mark Hanns.  The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn has asked that bringing together the neighbouring parish of Charnwood proceed under Tru Nguyen, Chung Minh Tran, and Gerard McCormick. Tru has been appointed Parish Priest of Kippax and Moderator of the two parishes. 

Dominic Gleeson in India in March, facilitating the Ignatian Exercises as follows:

In March 2024, I travelled to Kerala, India, to the place of the MSC Novitiate to facilitate the 30-day Ignatian Exercises for the three (3) young men of the novitiate.   Kranthi, Sumanth and Sanu welcomed me wholeheartedly into their novitiate community.  During my stay at the l novitiate house where I conducted the retreat, I was supported by the MSC novice director, Fr Kulandai Alexander, msc, assisted by Fr Nelson Machado, msc, who looked after our day-to-day practical needs.  The nature of the retreat can be very challenging, and yet I found the men of the novitiate to be very open and well-prepared to journey more deeply into their experience of who God is for them.  It also allowed each man to prepare their heart, listening to the Spirit to where God may be leading them in their discernment to take vows as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.    

Jim Littleton’s historical contributions:

Jim has been researching various aspects of Australian MSC’s contribution to our mission for over two decades and publishing his invaluable mini projects for our archives.  This year, he published a revision of his original book on MSC in The Armed Services, noting and acknowledging especially MSC brothers and priests and armed services before they entered the congregation.

Appointments to date for 2024:

Br John Walker msc – Douglas Park, community ministry and Chapter implementation

Fr Vince Carroll msc – Taroom Parish and Downlands College MSC community

Fr Albert Chan msc – Retirement, Sacred Heart Monastery, Kensington

Br Peter Curry msc – Community ministry, Douglas Park

Fr Gerard McCormick msc – Superior, Canberra and Bowral

Fr Shane Carr msc – Chaplain, Downlands College, Toowoomba

Fr Dominic Gleeson msc – Superior Melbourne/Tasmania

Fr Kimi Vunivesilevu msc – Superior St Mary’s Towers, Douglas Park

Fr Tru Nguyen msc – Parish Priest, St John the Apostle, Kippax

General movement of MSC personnel:

Fr Peter Hearn msc—Peter was appointed to administer the Kensington parish while Fr Terry Bowman, the parish priest, underwent and continues to convalesce at Kensington monastery from major spinal surgery. 

Fr Tim Brennan msc – after many years in Rome, where he served on the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, has returned to Australia.  Tim has significantly contributed to establishing a culture of safeguarding throughout the Society, which the 2023 General Chapter affirmed.

Fr Russell Anderson msc – returned to Australia for various health reasons and has been well cared for at Kensington monastery.  He visited the Ranch at Darwin but sustained a severe injury whilst cycling and has returned to Kensington.

Fr Brian Gallagher msc – Brian suffered a stroke and has spent considerable time in both hospital and rehabilitation.  He has, however, returned to his independent living unit. There has been significant progress, and Brian remains alert and attentive to his progress.

Fr Pat Sharpe msc – after some years in the community at the monastery, he moved to St Joseph’s to receive the extra level of care he needs.

Director, MSC Education:

With effect from 18 March 2024, Chris McDermott was appointed the new director of MSC education, replacing Mark McGinnity.  Chris has extensive leadership experience in Catholic education, spanning 23 years, including 15 years as principal of Chevalier College, Bowral.  He holds a master’s degree in educational leadership and is an experienced company director, school reviewer, and sessional tutor, the latter with Wollongong University.  Chris has been an Executive Member of the National Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family and the Regional Coordinator – Australia and Pacific – of the International Council of the Laity of the Chevalier Family.

Pat Mara msc – parish priest of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Randwick, was invited by Bishop Terry Brady to preach at St Mary’s Cathedral for the Feast of St Patrick.

Heart of Life (HOL):

Following decades since its foundation, working from rented accommodation, the Province purchased a property for Heart of Life in Croydon.  The property has been extensively renovated to a high standard under the project management of Br Barry Smith.  The renovations were necessary to accommodate the formation programs, seminars and accompaniment ministries offered by HOL.  Whilst the renovated premises have been officially opened, much work is needed on the exterior, including the gardens.  To ensure the long-term sustainability of Heart of Life, a steering committee was established to recommend a sustainable way forward to ensure a stable future for its programs, and it has been meeting regularly throughout the period.  The final report and recommendations have been submitted to the provincial council for approval.  The Provincial Council endorsed the key recommendations and has committed to several initiatives starting in 2025.  Clare Shearman, who has been the director for the past few years, has resigned, and Alison McKensie agreed to step up in the interim until a new director is appointed.  Fr Peter Malone and Fr Khoi Doan Nguyen are on the HOL staff.  Fr Krish Mathavan and Br Daniel Magadia are students.

 Awards:

Fr Peter Malone, Br John Walker and Fr Bob Irwin have received awards this year. Peter, whose many film reviews and publications have educated us over many decades, was honoured by the International Catholic Film Critics Association (ICFCA). For the second time, Peter won the Outstanding Criticism award for 2023.

John, an avid amateur photographer since age 9, was awarded first place by judges and peers in an international competition for his photo of a cheetah shot while on safari in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Bob was also honoured with the Espirit du Chevalier Medal for his lifelong commitment to MSC education. He was presented with the medal during Sacred Heart Feast Day celebrations at Chevalier College, Bowral, and received a standing ovation from the assembly.

Vietnam:

Our MSC mission in Vietnam continues to grow and expand, with two students graduating from the Jesuit Institute of Vietnam.  Vu Quoc Vuong graduated from the Philosophy three-year program, and Le Van Thanh from the Theology four-year program.  Vuong will continue his theology studies for four years, while Thanh will embark on a one-year pastoral placement.

MSC Formation, Blackburn

Conferring of Ministries:

In late March, a ceremony occurred during mass in St Thomas’ church parish to confer the Ministries of Lector and Acolyte, part of the steps towards ordination.  Delegated to confer the ministries by the Provincial was Kimi Vunivesilevu MSC, First Councilor, together with Mark Hanns MSC.  Those conferred with Acolyte were Trieu Nguyen and Daniel Magadia.  The ministry of Lector was conferred on Hoa Tran.  Vincent Pham had spent some years in the Parramatta seminary and had already received the ministries there, which meant he could assist Kimi.

Beginning the Novitiate:

In the afternoon of March 1^st, in the parish church of St Thomas, Nang Dinh Vu and Van Long Tran were officially received into the novitiate by Fr Khoi Nguyen, Director of Initial Formation and Novice Director, on behalf of the Australian Province.  Many local MSC, parishioners and friends of Long and Nang were present to celebrate this milestone in their journey towards vows as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Current News…  Succession.

Succession. A word now well-known through the popular television series.

But, succession in the context of our website?

Instead of third person, I am writing now in the first person as Peter Malone, personalising these reflections, with some photo-realism of where Current News is posted!!

August 17th is the 14^th anniversary of my starting work on Current News on this site, shrewdly led on by the then provincial, Tim Brennan.

This means that I have posted, in round numbers, 300 stories each year, which tells me that would mean a total of at least 4200 items. I had not thought of it until recently when somebody used the word “discipline” about the regularity and constancy. This made me realise that I have posted six items a week, wherever I was – but mainly at home at my computer, at the desk or, as now, in my armchair, 10 PM each night, listening to Philip Adams on Late Night Live (but he has now retired).

I noticed on the website last week the news that I had turned 85. And, so, the thought about stopping. Hence, succession.

I will continue until the end of this year. I am happy to say that there is a good plan in the works for continuing the Current News. Also in the works is a re-vamping and updating of the site. So, as you do, “Watch this space”.

Planning for the future

I look back and realise that all the posts are still there on the site, something of a diary/archive of life in the Province and beyond, items that are still available through the search engine.

And I have enjoyed something like investigative journalism, an eye and an ear for stories, leads, connections, googling for stories and photos, planning ahead, now and again having to improvise, keeping alert.

Because of the work on the website, another task was writing the Analecta entries on each year of the Province, history and publications.  I now have a successor. His first entry appears tomorrow…

Welcome Quy BUI and Tien Nguyen:

Peter Hendriks writes:  Quy and Tien arrived in Australia last week for a two-week visit. They are here in preparation for the Safeguarding Audit that will take place later this year. As the Vietnam MSC Community is part of the Australian Province, it is also part of the audit that the ACSL will conduct.

Quy and Tien: Quy and Tien had a full day yesterday on the ACSL Standards—actually, just Standard One all day. They will continue to work their way through this document in the days ahead. They will then move on to other aspects of safeguarding and the impending audit. Fortunately for Stephen and me, they like to relax by cooking! Here is last tonight’s creation.

Australian Catholic Safeguarding Limited conducts audits of Catholic Institutions. Our Province is to be audited in September-October

ACSL has been created to promote and oversee a nationally consistent, comprehensive and sustainable framework for the protection of children and adults at risk within the Church in Australia. We have zero tolerance of abuse and we work to ensure a safe Church for everyone.

The findings of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse place responsibility on the Catholic Church to demonstrate greater respect, care and protection for everyone who places their trust in the Church and to comply with legislative obligations in safeguarding and professional standards.

National Catholic Safeguarding Standards

The National Catholic Safeguarding Standards (NCSS) create a framework for Catholic entities to promote the safety of children and adults at risk.

The NCSS outline the policies and activities that will prevent, respond to, and support reporting of concerns regarding abuse. The Standards work together to ensure that every entity, ministry and organisation across the Catholic Church places the safety of children and adults at risk at the core of how they plan, think and act.

The 10 National Catholic Safeguarding Standards incorporate recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and also the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations, contextualising these requirements for the Catholic Church in Australia. The Standards have been adopted by the Catholic Church in Australia.

The first phase in developing the Standards focused on safeguarding practices to protect children. The second phase incorporates care and protection of adults, with a focus on adults at risk, in keeping with the recommendations of the Royal Commission.

And a visual culinary reward for reading thus far!

Acknowledging Claude Mostowik MSC, 75

Claude Mostowik made his profession as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart on December 4^th 1971, studied at Sacred Heart Monastery, Canberra, then at Croydon, with a degree in Theology from the Yarra Theological Union. He was ordained on May 25th 1976.

Golden Jubilee of Profession, with Roger Purcell, MSC Mission Office

After working in the Northern Territory, he studied, 1982-1986 at Luigi Rulla SJ Institute for Psychology at the Gregorian University in Rome. On his return, he worked in MSC Formation and continued in his work in psychology.

For many years, he has been MSC Director Justice and Peace. He has been strongly involved in justice organisations, President, Australia, Pax Christi, committed to Acceptance, working with the Edmund Ignatius Rice Centre.

At the Provincial Chapter, April 2023

He hosts a Facebook page, regular posts on current issues of justice, war and peace. He has prepared for many years extensive notes and commentary for the Sunday liturges throughout the year.

Claude has the courage of his religious and justice convictions, statements, protests, demonstrations. We add this story from 2015, an arrest in solidarity with statements by Catholic and other Christian leaders.

Book launch of street poet, David Marsh

Five Catholic bishops, including a bishop of Australia’s largest archdiocese, put their names to a public newspaper advertisement at the weekend calling on the Federal Government to give children in immigration detention “the gift of freedom” this Christmas.

Bishop Terry Brady, auxiliary bishop of Sydney, joined the Bishop of Wollongong, Bishop Peter Ingham, the Bishop of Port Pirie, Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ, the Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle, Bishop Bill Wright, and the Archbishop of Melbourne, Archbishop Denis Heart, in signing the advertisement, sponsored by Catholic Religious Australia (CRA).

Declaring it to be “a critical moment in the history of this nation”, the advertisement called on all MPs to “do the right thing” and release “children and their families” from immigration detention.

Other signatories included the Anglican Primate, Archbishop Philip Freier, and the President of the Uniting Church, Stuart McMillan, as well as the congregational leaders of some of Australia’s most prominent religious orders.

CRA Justice Network co-ordinator Fr Claude Mostowik MSC and Hillsong attendee Kylie Beach were among a group of eight Christians, including three ordained ministers, who began a peaceful sit-in at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electoral office in Edgecliff on Monday.

The protest was ended five hours later when six of the protesters, including all three ministers, were arrested and removed from the premises.

Fr Claude Mostowik MSC and Hillsong attendee Kylie Beach were among eight Christians, including three ordained ministers, arrested after a peaceful sit-in at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s electoral office in Edgecliff on Monday. Photo: Facebook

Our MSC Student group, Cuskelly House, Blackburn

Palm Sunday for Social Justice

Trieu and Daniel professed final vows last December, Vincent and Hoa are preparing this year. As we reported here, the students have been working in Vocation Promotion with Frank Dineen during their mid-year Semester break from studies at YTU.

The group with Director, Mark Hanns.

The Kew community thanks them for their work and help

Vincent and the example of St Martin de Porres - just one of those coincidences

Pastoral work in the parish, prison ministry, AIDS house, hospital visitation, CPE training.

And part of the Melbourne community seen at the recent community meeting hosted by Michael Sims at Northcote, the Little Sisters of the Poor and their generous hospitality.

MSC Vocations Promotion this week, our students in Adelaide

Report and photos from Hoa, photos from Trieu

This week, Frank Dineen, Trieu, Daniel and Hoa are at Henley Beach Parish, our former MSC parish in Adelaide, for Vocation Promotion. Last Sunday, we visited the Vietnamese Community in Pooraka, where we were very much welcomed by the Monsignor and the whole community.

We had lots of great conversations with many people who expressed a strong hope for more religious vocations. They promised to distribute our brochures to let more people know about various ways of life in the Church.

Trieu gave a great speech about our congregation's spirit and got young people to think about their place in the Church. He encouraged people to help their children and grandchildren explore different possibilities.

Daniel gave a speech in the youth's gathering after Mass. The young crowd really loved him.

Later that day, we headed off to St. Francis's Cathedral of Adelaide with Frank as the main celebrant with the African community. This time, Hoa shared his journey of joining and rejoining MSC, challenging everyone to think about what they are really looking for in life.  

During this week, we will catch up with some inquirers (aspirants) in Adelaide and also visit different families. Towards the end of the week, We will be visiting the Filipino community and promoting our vocation there.