Happy Feast of the Sacred Heart 2022

A greeting from the Generalate and from the Australian MSC

And here is some communal spirit with Heart. Celebration at Chevalier College 2002

Reviving a custom, our Colleges’ students visiting NSW MSC Communities.

Members of ‘Treand House’ from Downlands in front of a portrait of Peter Treand.

Before Covid and lockdown, our colleges used to have a kind of pilgrimage to Treand House, Kensington Monastery, St Mary’s Towers. After the lockdown hiatus, starting again.

Peter Hendriks reports:

Downlands College Student Leaders and Staff: On Wednesday we were graced with the visit from the student leaders of Downlands College and two of their teachers, Andrea and Michael. They have made their way to Chevalier College to share in the Sacred Heart Day Celebrations with other leaders and staff from our MSC schools.

Monivae College Student Leaders and Staff: Yesterday we were also graced with a visit from Monivae Student Leaders and Dany Franc (who is the source for some of my jokes).

It was so good of them to take the time to drop in and see more MSC people and places.

Both the Downlands College and Monivae College students and staff also visited the Monastery at Kenso and SMT Douglas Park, on their way to Chevalier College. May you all have wonderful celebrations today.

Rev Timoteo Solórzano Rojas, M.S.C. From Auxiliary to Bishop of Tarma, Peru.

Fr. Timoteo Solórzano Rojas was born on 24 January 1969 in Chucos, diocese of Huari. After completing his primary and secondary studies in Huantar, he entered the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and carried out his philosophical and theological studies in Lima (1988-1996). He attended specialization courses for religious education in Guatemala. He carried out his novitiate in the Dominican Republic. He gave his first profession on 15 August 1990 and his perpetual vows on 15 August 1998. He was ordained a priest on 9 January 2001.

He held the following positions: parish vicar in the archdiocese of Trujillo (2001-2002); parish priest in the archdiocese of Ayacucho (2003-2004); parish priest in the archdiocese of Lima (2005-2007); parish priest of the parish of “San Pablo” and vicar forane in the archdiocese of Trujillo (2007-2010). From 2011 to 2018 he was director of formation in the Seminary of the Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Peru and a parish collaborator in the Church of “San Felipe” in Lima.

Appointed as titular bishop of Dumio and auxiliary of the archdiocese of Trujillo, Peru, 2018. Appointed Tarma, 2022.

Action in the Pacific. Not conflict but opportunity – Chevalier Training Centre.

A new term has begun at the Chevalier Training Centre in Fiji, where every year, up to 75 underprivileged boys and young men are given the opportunity to learn the skills they need to find employment and strengthen their prospects for the future.

Established by the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1992, the Chevalier Training Centre is a vocational institute located in Wainadoi, in Namosi, Fiji, which is managed by the Chevalier Youth Trust Board. The Centre offers a two-year programme in several subjects, including cabinet making, carpentry, automotive studies, farm management, and welding and fabrication.

“We target those youths who are from poor family backgrounds, those who have been neglected by their families, or have been abused and those who have dropped out of school,” explains the Facebook page for the Chevalier Training Centre. With the Centre running on a residential basis for students to live and study on-site, the programme does not simply focus solely on practical skills and education, but also works with a “holistic approach, in order to develop the potential in each student,” incorporating life skills such as time management and the organisation of personal finances.

Earlier this year, we at the Irish Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart featured the Chevalier Training Centre in our 2022 World Projects Appeal, in support of the tremendous work they do for young men who would otherwise have very few options for a happy, healthy, fulfilled life. “Our mission is to help our students face life with confidence and dignity,” said the CTC community, at the time of the appeal. “We meet needs in Fiji which are not met by most of our other educational institutions. The Centre has a special interest in male youths from broken homes, those caught in patterns of rejection, and those who have been in prison or in trouble with the police. Our priority is to assist those who have the least hope.”

New beginnings

This first assembly with the new Year 1 students for the current academic year took place at the beginning of May.

“It began with the flag raising ceremony led by the Head Boy, Deputy Head Boy and Bell Ringer,” reported the Chevalier Training Centre’s Facebook page. “After the flag was raised, the Fiji National Anthem was sung. Then we had the introduction of all involved in the school in trying to help our young men become good leaders in the future.”

The MSC Novice Master, Fr Tetoaiti, led the introductions, followed by the five novices who assist in the Religious Education department, and the staff and students. Everyone present introduced themselves to the group, while the students shared their expectations of what they hope to gain from their time at the training centre.

Following the first assembly and introductions, the Centre ran one if its regular fire drills, organised by their Fire Warden, Mr Rajendra Nand. As part of the procedure, one of the students rings the church bell every 15 seconds, and all students make their way from their workshops down to the evacuation assembly area, where a head count takes place.

On May 6^th, the Centre celebrated its opening Mass, which welcomed the first-year students, and blessed the school community, including its leaders and staff. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Tamati, Provincial Leader of the MSC Province of the Pacific Islands, and was a very special way to mark the beginning of what promises to be another successful year for the CTC community.

 MSC 2022, Who? Where? The last list, Sydney parishes.

Randwick

Gerard McCormick PP

Bill Brady

Pat Mara

Parthalomai Paniyadimai

Coogee

Phil Hicks PP, Superior

Thang Nhu Nguyen

Kensington

Terry Bowman PP

Erskineville

Tan Nguyen PP

Phil Reilly

Social comment, words and images, for you sites and posts

Treand House, Business and Finance Management

The new Provincial Business Manager is Joan Fernando. Joan began one week ago and has brought her wonderful calm and confident presence to the office. She met the members of the MSC Finance and Resources Committee when they met yesterday, and she presented finances of the Province at that meeting. The contact details for her remain unchanged from the previous Business Manager.

She has provided her bio – Joan Fernando has extensive experience in aged care at head of finance level and aged care capital developments. She was the CFO of a charitable aged care organisation providing residential care and retirement villages. Joan has a passion for working in the not for profit sector so that a positive difference could be made in the lives of others.

Joan is the Treasurer for over ten years at Randwick Meals on Wheels NSW and is a Director and Treasurer of a Disability organisation in Windsor NSW.

She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), CPA, Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of New England and has Graduate membership with the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).

Joan is married and has two children. She loves to listen to music, socialising with friends including assisting with fundraising activities and enjoys spending time with her two grandchildren.

Felicity Chow is the Province Bookkeeper and has replaced Maria Oei. There were two temporary Bookkeepers before Felicity came on board at the beginning of last month. Felicity brings her lively energy to the role. Her contact details remain the same:

Hello, my name is Felicity Chow. I commenced as the Bookkeeper at MSC Provincialate, just after Easter 2022. I am indeed privileged to work with an amazing team of supportive colleagues. I look forward to working with all of you in the MSC Family.

Safeguarding Ministry is the Mission of the Heart

We are urged to keep in mind the impact of sexual abuse, and clerical sexual abuse, with empathy for those who have suffered.

Tim Brennan MSC, worked in this area in the Australian Church after his terms as Provincial Superior. He is now responsible at the Generalate for overseeing Safeguarding through the whole congregation.

Some international MSC have participated in training programs at the Gregorian University in Rome. Here is the response of one of them,  

Bram Tulusan , MSC, Indonesian Province

One word to describe my experience of attending the diploma course of safeguarding in Gregorian University is newness. I started this course with the fear that the program would be filled by complex and boring psychological theories. But everything was changed when the course began. I experienced many new things and it was amazing. The method used in this program was a student centered approach and it was very interesting and inspiring.

Attending this course was a moment of grace for me. It was a moment of ongoing formation and refreshed my commitment as a Missionary of the Sacred Heart. During the course there was always one question appointed to us: what do you feel? After following an explanation or reading a topic, we were invited to do personal reflection. It was an opportunity to go deep into our heart and to discover every movement or reaction that comes inside that relates to one particular topic. It was an opportunity to recognize myself more and to feel the moments of being touched by the infinite love of God.

Remedy for the illness of society

There is a famous quote that ‘experience is the best teacher.’ This applies to the church in relation to cases of sexual abuse of children by clergy. Sexual abuse of children in the church has been around for a long time. However, the church often made many mistakes in handling such cases in the past. I was reflecting during Jesus’ time. Jesus confronted many people, and the group Jesus most often criticized was the religious leaders. The main reason was the attitude of religious leaders who often used religious authority for their own benefit. They manipulated people by covering up their faults. They abused the trust of people instead of protecting them!

The church has to change in regards to the how it handles clerical sexual abuse. A few months ago there was viral news about the ‘Munich report’ where Pope Benedict XVI was accused of mishandling the sexual abuse report when he was archbishop in Munich. We have to stop the ‘culture of covering up’ otherwise we will lose our nature as a church or even against Jesus himself. It is time to be humble and open up to everyone, especially those who are affected by sexual abuse in the Church. It is important for the Church to humbly admit all past mistakes as a concrete act of openness and listen to the victims.

Chung, welcome to Melbourne, to Naughton House, to Siloam face-to-face

After a long delay in receiving his visa, and a longer delay for his ordination, happily experienced on June 3^rd in Manila, Chung arrived at Tullmarine, June 10^th.

He was met by Trieu and Hoa, and the community leader, Philip Malone.

His first brief experience of a community was a quick visit to Mountain Grove, meeting some of the elders –

and a photo opportunity to stand in the middle of Mountain Grove for a suburban street photo-opportunity. 

For those who will visit Mountain Grove, we promise to provide a similar opportunity.

Chung is settling into Naughton House with Khoi. But the realities of meals and cooking.

And quickly out in ministry

Chung and Khoi celebrate Sunday mass at St Timothy Vietnamese community.

He goes to Heart of Life today for the first time (his visit delayed as he celebrated the Queen’s birthday with no classes).

We are delighted that he is here.  (Which makes the Victoria-Tasmania community, 20 members, of whom only 7 have a Vietnamese background.)

Acknowledging Hoa and Trieu for the photos.

New Provincial Superior, Edwin Borlasa MSC Philippines

The MSC Philippine Province gladly announces the election of Rev. Father Edwin Borlasa, MSC as its new provincial superior. His term will officially start on January 2023.

Fr. Edwin Borlasa, MSC hails from Poro, Camotes Island, Cebu. He is 62 years of age and was born on December 10, 1959. Offering his life as religious MSC for 37 years, he had his profession of vows on June 2, 1985 and was ordained as MSC priest on April 10, 1991.

Living as a priest for 31 years and as MSC religious for 37 years, Fr. Edwin has been serving in the different ministries. He was assigned as parish priest in different MSC administered parishes in the Philippines. His ministerial life has been spent in forming young MSC's. He was assigned as Novice Master and Scholasticate Rector for many years. He was also assigned in Communication Foundations for Asia (CFA) - the communications ministry of the province. At present, he is the Parish Priest of Sto. Tomas De Aquino Parish in Bangkal, Abucay, Bataan. 

And Googling found this photo from 2020.

We ask for everyone's continuous prayer for Fr. Edwin as he takes the provincial leadership role in the Philippine Province. We also ask your prayers for MSC Philippines.

And every best wish for outgoing provincial, Bogey Cabrera, and for his health.