Our MSC students – and pastoral work beyond Blackburn

This year ends with pastoral immersion for our students. They are sent to different places across Australia.

Trieu and Daniel head off to Northern Territory, and spend a week in Darwin. Then, they move to Wadeye (Port Keats) to be with our indigenous brothers and sisters.

Vincent is now in Sydney being with homeless people. He helps out at St. Canice's kitchen at Kings Cross, feeding around 150 people.

Hoa is in Melbourne tutoring our Pre- Novices (and hosting visitors from Rome)

After Christmas, they will have some time for Retreat and holiday with their families.

Chevalier farewells Chris McDermott, principal for 15 years

After 15 years of outstanding leadership as Principal at Chevalier College, Chris McDermott is retiring.  Chris has contributed to the education of young people for 44 years, with 36 of these years in Catholic education and 28 years as a Principal.

Chris has epitomised the ethos of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart with heart spirituality underpinning all his relationships.  Chris' leadership has been characterized by his great care for the individual, whether it be students, their families, staff or the wider Chevalier community. He has been a very compassionate yet visionary leader who has guided the College with great care and expertise particularly through these last few challenging years.

During his time at Chevalier, Chris has developed the infrastructure to ensure contemporary, purpose-built learning spaces are available to support and enhance learning, whilst maintaining a beautiful campus.  The College's academic record is impressive; however, Chris has valued the all-round development of the students and their positive, heart-centred contribution to society as important aspects of their education. The College is also highly regarded for its encouragement of the cultural and sporting talents of its students and Chris has been a major promoter in these areas ensuring students flourish in a wide variety of endeavours.

We congratulate Chris on his many achievements and wish him the best for whatever the future may hold.

Student tribute

Mr McDermott, you have been a part of this school for an incredible 15 years, and we are extremely blessed to have had you as our principal. Through your caring, kind, compassionate nature you have changed the lives of everyone at chev and it is truly remarkable how much you’ve done for us throughout the years and behind the scenes. although I’m looking forward to a new change, I can't image what it will be like without you being here and we are all going to miss your long-stretched-out stories and heartfelt talks. You have touched the lives of many, far beyond our imagination and we are truly grateful and privileged to of been here during the same time as you.

Servant leadership is the foundation of all that we are taught at Chev. It underpins all that we do, as students, teachers, staff. It means to give and not take, to treat others with kindness and respect. It means to serve your community to the best of your abilities and hold their needs at the forefront of your heart. Mr McDermott has indeed served our college over the past 15 years. As a servant leader, he has led us all with love and courage, and guided us with humility and respect. He works tirelessly behind the scenes, ensuring that we all have a second home at Chev. He works even now, so close to the end, and I’m sure that he’ll go straight back to work tomorrow. We’ve heard so many wonderful anecdotes and stories about him from students in each year, and it is clear that he has made such an incredible impact on all of us. On behalf of the student body, we thank you Mr McDermott. We thank you for all the care and effort you have put into this school and for everything that you have done for all of us. We are sad to see you go, but your legacy will remain at Chev for the years to come. As a token of our gratitude, we would like to present you with a gift, on behalf of all the students.

Ted Harris MSC, 80^th anniversary of his self-sacrifice

EDWARD HARRIS msc

Date of Birth            19 07 1905

First Profession        26 02 1934

Ordination                23 07 1939

Date of Death           21 12 1942

The story of the execution of Fr Ted Harris msc, by the Japanese military in World War ll may not be well known. This year marks 80 years since his death. For the MSC he is one of our Saints.

For those who would like to know more, use the search engine for Current News, Ted Harris, 75^th Anniversary.  John Dawes published his story in Every Man for Himself.

Edward Charles Harris was born in London, UK, his family coming to Sydney when he was seven. He attended Christian Brothers Balmain, where a Lourdes Grotto is erected in his memory. He graduated from Sydney University (Law) and then entered the MSC. 

Graduation

In 1933 he entered the novitiate, where his novice master commended him for his humility and complete lack of pretence to intellectual superiority, despite his obvious ability. He took his first vows as an MSC on February 26, 1934.  

Ted then began studies in philosophy and theology at Kensington monastery, where his Prefect of Studies saw him as a natural leader, who was 'a power of strength in keeping or building up an excellent spirit in the scholasticate". ln 1939 the scholasticate was moved from Kensington to Croydon in Melbourne: Ted, as senior student, provided leadership in improving the living facilities of the new monastery.     

Ted was ordained by Archbishop Mannix in St Patrick's Cathedral on July 23, 1939 at the age of 34. Sadly, his mother had died during his scholasticate, but his father and other family members were able to be present for this special occasion.

Shortly before his ordination he wrote to his religious sister Eve who was not able to attend his ordination:

Pray for me that I may prove a worthy priest; that is my only

wish about it aII, that I do not disappoint Our Lord. ... I came

into religion to serve Him and draw a little closer to Him. If I

do that I'll have everything. If I mess that, weII, the rest will

be worth little. The LittIe prayer that I am putting at the foot of

my ordination card expresses ... my only desire: "Mary, unite

his heart to the Heart of thy Divine Son"                    

Ordination group 1939: From Left Ted Harris, Brendan Sykes, Jim Carlton

It is said of Ted, that he was a strong, courageous character, with great leadership skills, he was looked up to by fellow students, the Australian soldiers and the local people of New Britain. Ted taught briefly at Downlands and in 1941 was appointed to  New Britain, PNG.

On arrival in Rabaul, Bishop Leo Scharmach MSC appointed Ted as his secretary as well as a teacher in the junior seminary. The rector of the seminary at this time was John Hoehne MSC, who later succeeded Scharmach as archbishop of Rabaul.

Hoehne wrote about Ted:

In April 1941, Fr Harris took over Religion, English and History. He was very efficient in studies and loved by all the pupils. He was a charming character when he went out with the boys for a picnic. I myself, as his confrere, every day one hour walking and was touched by his sincere religious fervour and his devoted love for the natives and their conversion.

Ted wrote:

WeII, after a spell as secretary to the Bishop in Vunapope I managed to persuade him that I was just the boy to run an outstation for him. Here I am with a station of fifty miles of beach and anything from three to four days of bush behind me. I have 5, OOO parishioners - 2,OOO Catholics, 5,OOO pagans.

It Is a great kind of life trying to be doctor and Iooking wise as I prescribe for all kinds of things from pneumonia to feeding newborn babies. The jobs are many and varied up here. There are not too many white people; I have no companion Priest, Brother or Sisters - and the nearest whites are on two plantations, about an hour away by canoe. The natives simply assume you know everything. In addition, I try to run the pinnace with the help of my native boys. God help me if the engine goes wrong.

I make my journeys by pinnace if it is in order or else by canoe. The other day I set off by canoe, the next day by road, and finished at night - as black as pitch – with the rain falling and a storm in the offing in a small canoe on the broad Pacific. 'Twas a small canoe and only three of us in it. I was glad to reach a little hut for a sleep that night. A week before a crocodile had taken a boy on the spot where we Ianded. Mass, confessions, marriages etc: and off by canoe to the next village. A sleep for a couple of hours and then visit the sick, fix up sores, prayers, Iecture, confessions, tear off a bit of pigeon and then sleep. Up again for Mass, sermon, confessions, baptisms. etc., injections, sick - off by road, 'tis a great life.   

In 1942 Rabaul fell to the Japanese. The dispirited troops were forced to retreat 150km south, through swamps and dense jungle, over rugged mountains. Those who reached Mal Mal were exhausted, hungry, stricken with malaria, with morale dangerously low. Fr Ted gave food and medicine as he was able, but vital as this was, the men’s spirits were lifted even higher by the priest’s cheerful, compassionate nature, and all were inspired by his implacable faith. Thinking the last troops had been through he gave them his sailboat, engine and fuel, but another boat arrived, too big to stay except for the wounded and seriously ill. Several weeks later a rescue ship arrived, and they tried in vain to persuade Fr Ted to escape with them, but he insisted on staying.

Ted insisted that his place was with the native people no matter what the circumstances. Some of the soldiers even planned to take him with them by force.

The Laurabada eventually arrived in Jacquinot Bay on the morning of April 9, 1942. It was decided that it would leave in the evening and the men began to go aboard in the afternoon. Ted shook hands with them all and had a kindly word for each.

One of the officers, Captain David Selby, has written:

The day we were rescued, several of us tried hard to persuade him to come with us, pointing out that if he remained, the Japanese would undoubtedly find out that he had helped us and would be almost certain to kill him, but he steadfastly refused to leave the mission. I think my final conversation with him did more than anything to illustrate his nobility of character and complete sincerity.

Ted said ‘I came to tell these people what Christianity means. If I deserted them now, could I ever return and preach Christianity again?

Major Owen addressed the troops “Men, we are all bound by duty and obliged to follow the path it points out, no matter into what danger it leads us. We are soldiers, and just as it is our duty to strive by every means to escape and re-join our forces to drive the enemy from our doors, so it is Fr Harris’s duty as a Priest and Missionary to stand by his flock in their hour of need”

It was eight months after the departure of the Laurabada that the Japanese eventually came to Jacquinot Bay. It must have been an anxious time for Ted, not knowing what the future held in store for him but trusting in God no matter what the future might be.

Japanese vessels arrived in Jacquinot Bay on a Sunday morning in December 1942. When Ted saw them, he sent his people into the jungle, and took some trusted native boys to the church where he distributed the Blessed Sacrament to prevent any danger of desecration. When a few Japanese soldiers landed on the jetty, Ted walked down to greet them and invited them to the presbytery for refreshments. He was interrogated by the Japanese officer, who decided to take him to Rabaul. He was escorted to the wharf carrying two black books which are presumed to be his New Testament and his Breviary. The boat pulled away from the Bay and was seen heading to Rabaul. However, it is certain that Ted never reached Rabaul.

It is assumed that on board ship Ted was summarily court-martialled and found guilty of providing assistance to Australian soldiers and being in possession of a radio which he could have used to communicate information to Australian authorities. The normal form of execution was by bayonet followed by shooting if the person was not dead. Ted’s body was thrown overboard and was washed ashore. The Japanese forbade the natives to touch or bury the body, which was then washed out on the ebbtide beyond the reef and never see again.  

The date of Ted’s execution is either Dec 12, 1942, the date favoured by Dawes, or Dec 21, 1942, the date accepted by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

He was indeed a brave man, as he fully realised the consequences if the Japanese received information that he had assisted the troops. The thought of that did not deter him, and the welfare of the natives and his mission came before his own safety…Father Harris was one of nature’s gentlemen, his cheery disposition and personality was an inspiration and I know that those of us who came in contact with him will not forget him for his great help and sacrifice. (An anonymous sergeant)

Ted Harris was indeed a remarkable MSC. He lived out to the letter Article 12 of the MSC Constitution:

Following the example of Jesus, we will strive to lead others to God with kindness and gentleness, to unite them to him by love and to free them from fear. Trusting in God’s grace, we will be ready, if necessary, to lay down our lives for them.

Truly he was on earth the Heart of God!

MSC students Vietnam, end of year pastoral work.

During Christmas season, our brothers in Vietnam go up to the northern area of Vietnam

and work with indigenous peoples there.

The photos show the pastoral process of making new floors for the people. 

Kenji Konda MSC, Final Vows, Congratulations

Kenji made his final profession at Kensington Monastery on Friday evening, December 16^th.

Family and many confreres were present.

With music

Provincial superior, Chris McPhee presided

Terry Bowman and Peter Heart were witnesses.

Kenji had a pre-novitiate year at Blackburn, Novitiate year with Peter Harvey Jackson, a year at Blackburn with Mark Hanns – 2020 in lockdown. The next two years have been spent at Henley Beach parish, ministry as well as studies.

He will be stationed at Treand House working for the forthcoming Provincial Chapter.

Photo credits and thanks: John Walker MSC

In Memoriam, Gerry Burke MSC, Ministry and Requiem photos 

Ministry memories: Malcolm Fyfe MSC 

Photos: John Walker MSC

Brother Gerry Burke MSC RIP

Brother Gerry Burke was born 21 August 1934. After completing Secondary Studies at Chevalier College Bowral NSW, a College run by the MSCs, he made his first Religious Profession on August 5th, 1953, at Douglas Park, NSW, and then spent the next four years working at Downlands College, another of our Colleges, in Toowoomba, Queensland. From there he went to the Sacred Heart Monastery, Croydon, in Victoria, where he worked as Assistant Cook, before moving on to Monivae College, Hamilton, Victoria, where he worked as Chief Cook from 1960-1965. Such labour intensive years spent in kitchens would be more than enough to engender an antipathy to any further work over a hot stove!

In 1966 he moved back to his old Alma Mater, Chevalier College, Bowral, NSW, as Dormitory Master, Cadets in charge and Sports Master, where he stayed until 1974.

His next move was to Darwin where he joined St. John's College Staff as Dormitory and Discipline Master and Junior School Coordinator. His significance in these roles was so noteworthy that at a later date one of the Boarding Houses was named Burke House, after him. Additionally, former St John’s students from all walks of life were always pleased to meet up with him again and talk about old times. He is remembered fondly at St Johns.

From 1992-2000 Bro. Gerry was involved in Hospital Chaplaincy up here, as well as in Mackay and Canberra. He prepared himself for this work by completing three units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE).

From 2001-2007 he worked at the Encompass Institute in Sydney and also helped as a Volunteer at St. Joseph's Parish, Auburn.

Returning to Darwin in 2008, Brother Gerry was involved with two parishes, St. Paul's in Nightcliff and Our Lady Help of Christians, Palmerston, and also in prison Chaplaincy work. One way and another, from his work in Education, Missions or parishes, Gerry knew a surprising number of long time Territory residents. He had a quiet extraordinary memory for people’s names and family relationships. Not unsurprisingly, as regards his work as Prison Chaplain, he quite frequently met familiar faces in prison. It seems as though we Catholics are very well represented in this institution! Be that as it may, for some time I happened to serve on a Prison Chaplains Support Committee and so am in a position to testify to the esteem and appreciation Bro Gerry had as a result of his prison ministry.

So all in all, Brother Gerry spent 41 years of dedicated ministry here in Darwin followed by about 5 years of semi-retirement back at Chevalier College Bowral.

Thank you, Gerry, for your enormous contribution to the life of our MSC Congregation, to the work of the Church in a variety of places and activities, with special reference to your varied ministry here in Darwin. Your almost 70 years of religious commitment is something of which anybody could be justly proud.

Both the Australian MSC Province and the Diocese of Darwin are proud of you and grateful for your time with us.

May you rest in peace.

Father Malcolm Fyfe msc VG

The Letter, Pope Francis in a film on Laudato Si, readily available on Youtube.

As the Chevalier Family, we are committed to ecological action and spirituality. See below some points from the document sent out by Andre Classens MSC. 

THE LETTER, A MESSAGE FOR THE EARTH

In 2015,  Pope Francis issued an encyclical letter on ecology and the environment, using the title of his now a-namesake, Francis of Assisi, his Canticle of the Sun, Praise be. The significant thing was that it was addressed to readers beyond the church, to people of all faiths, secular and none. (At the opening of the film, we can hear some dissenting voices, that the Pope should not be political, that he was doing a disservice to theology.)

How to communicate, publicise, this letter and its message? A film, Youtube, stories, visuals, and Pope Francis himself.

The Letter is a film for all audiences, telling the story of Francis and his writing Laudato Si, but the writer-director, Nicolas Brown (noting that he is agnostic but was impressed by Francis and his encyclical) takes his audience into a meeting, what might seem an ordinary day for the Pope, but he has filmed it to make this day and the meeting readily available for the whole world.

The occasion is an encounter with Pope Francis with chosen representatives coming to the Vatican to discuss environmental issues and commitments.

The film introduces us to the representatives, introducing them, Aroune Kande from Senegal, Ridhima Pandey from India, Chief Cacique Odair from Amazon, Greg Asner and Robin Martin from Hawaii. They tell the audience their stories and commitment. We see letters from Rome, written, posted, stamped, received - and the surprise of each of them to get a letter from the Vatican. And the group are representatives chosen to represent refugees, environment, youth, wildlife. We see lives and issues through stories and images.

Araone thinks of leaving Senegal, a refugee, but, as we see, flimsy boats, full, capsising and refugees drowning. He decides to be active in his home country. Ridhima Pandey is 13, confident, outspoken. In the Amazon, the chief explains the destruction of the forests and the dire consequences. (He is striking in his large feathered headgear, which he wears around Rome and for the papal meeting). Greg and Robin work in Hawaii with technology, gauging wildlife, especially underwater.

We sit in on the meeting with Francis (close-ups to see his emotional facial expressions, speaking in Spanish to express himself personally). He bonds with the delegates as they speak to him, as they commit themselves to the causes.

We also join the group as they visit Assisi, join in the spirit of Francis, suddenly interrupted as Aroune receives text and video from Senegal, his friend’s school completely flooded and the children having nowhere to stay. Some comfort for him from the group who have now bonded as a family.

The Letter is very easy to access and free. Go online, Google The Letter Pope Francis Movie – click and the film will come up. (An indication for a short Google clip appears at the end – worth having a look at, what the representatives have been doing since their meeting.)

 In his Encyclical Laudato Si, Pope Francis calls us to an Ecological Conversion.

“Your unique culture, experience, involvements, and talents are needed on our journey towards greater love for our Creator, each other, and the home we share”, writes the Pope (LS 14).

He encourages us not to stay aside but to act, together with others.

As members and friends of the Chevalier Family, we don’t want to stay behind. We are not alone. Within the Church we are part of a religious family, founded by Father Jules Chevalier MSC, who in his time already combatted indifference. He knew that fear paralyses, while love conquers all. Therefore, he gave us our motto:

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved.

As an International and Intercultural Family we realize that:

• world solidarity is the radical alternative to the globalisation of self-interest and indifference.
• our choices show where our heart lies and that we, who live the Spirituality of the Heart, are called to adopt an attitude of love and care for Creation.
• the abstract disables people, while the concrete opens new possibilities.

Photos from booklet for Gerry Burke’s funeral at Bowral today.

With thanks to Catherine Molihan and Peter Guy for sending them.

The young Gerry Burke

First Communion with cousin Margaret Reed (Sister Mary Magdalene de Pazzi FMM

Altar boy

Chevalier 1973

Silver Jubilee

Mass at Bathurst Island

65 years professed

65 years professed

MSC Farewell to King’s Meadow

MSC BID FAREWELL TO THE PARISH OF ST PETER'S KINGS MEADOW LAUNCESTON

WEEKEND OF 10-11 DECEMBER 2022

Large numbers of parishioners gathered for both the Vigil Mass on 10th and for the 9.30am Mass on 11th as part of the farewell for Fr Des Holm and to mark the closure of MSC ministry in the parish. Chris McPhee, as Provincial Superior presided at the Sunday morning Mass with Des and Philip Malone (MSC Community Leader) joining Chris at the Altar.

Vince Carroll MSC, visiting from Toowoomba, was also in the congregation.

Morning tea following the Sunday morning Mass provided an opportunity for a large number of parishioners to share memories with Des and each other, recalling with fondness also each of the previous MSC Parish Priests.

Ian Dalton acting as MC invited the Provincial, the Community Leaser and the Chair of the Parish Council to speak.

Chris outlined briefly a history of MSC ministry in the area from 1906 and the sixty years of MSC working in the Parish. He also explained why the choice to leave was not easy but sadly became necessary given the decline in the number of MSC actively engaged in Parish ministry. At the same time he emphasised that parish ministry is a heart ministry and because the Parishioners had spirituality of the heart as their foundation - this would continue into the future.

The Community Leader, on behalf of the MSC community, thanked Des for his membership of and contribution to our Community, particularly given the isolation imposed by covid these past few years.

And the Chair of the Pastoral Council spoke warmly of the shared ministry of Des as parish priest and parishioners. Special mention was made of the welcome Des offered to new settlers in the Parish - especially the Timorese Community, and his dedication to the local school.

A presentation was made to Des of a beautiful plaque, adding to an earlier album in which each of the school children had drawn their portrait of Fr Des and offered a greeting or comment.

Province of the Pacific Islands – December 8^th, First Professions

The MSC Province of the Pacific Islands is honoured to have the Generalates and the APIA CONFERENCE members joyfully celebrating together

168th Year Anniversary of our foundation,

First Profession

and the official closing of the APIA CONFERENCE 2022.