Rest in Peace, Anne Margaret Dalton MSC

Anne Margaret Dalton was buried from Holy Redeemer Church, Surrey Hills, on Friday April 23^rd.  She was born in 1931 (and would have been 90 in July). She was third in 14 children. Her older brother, Bill, was for some time an MSC Brother. Her sister, Cecily (Sister Jane) is an OLSH Sister who served as Provincial.

Mary Drum MSC, Provincial

In her 70 years of religious life, Anne Margaret, Sister Martin, taught primary school at All Hallows Balwyn, was on the MSC Sisters Leadership team in Rome in the late 80s-early 90s. She also spent two years in Rome with religious associated with the Focolare Movement and worked with Focolare closely in recent years.

Martin Dalton

The MSC Sisters in Melbourne participated in the Mass for Anne Margaret, a welcome from Mary Drumm, Provincial Superior, also members of the Dalton family, with a livecast for those not able to be present.  Memories from Martin Dalton who brought Dalton family life to life, Sister Rosalind Cairns speaking for the Sisters, and some tributes from a Focolare member. Philip Malone MSC presided. Fr Bruno of the Focolare was also present.

After a long life and commitment, may Anne Margaret rest in peace.

Anzac Day, an Australian MSC tribute, Fr James Gilbert MSC, Battle of Fromelles, 1916

Each Anzac Day, Lest We Forget – and a tribute to MSC war chaplains.  (For past memorials, go to the search engine and type in Anzac Day.)

Documentation from the Australian War Memorial website. And photos from Fromelles.

"Chaplain (4th Class) James Patrick Gilbert MC, 15th Brigade, from Randwick, NSW... was awarded the Military Cross in January 1917 for actions at Fromelles. Under heavy fire, Chaplain Gilbert had tended the wounded and dying unceasingly for 48 hours..." - SOURCE (www.awm.gov.au)

A biography is included - and his work at St Brigid's Coogee

Father Gilbert was born at Kuniara, on the west coast of the South Island, New Zealand, and was educated by the Sisters of Mercy in that town. From the age of 16 to 26 he followed the occupation of gold mining on the west coast, ever cherishing the desire to abandon the world and enter the sacred ministry. God's Providence intervened by bringing to that comparatively remote territory the late Father Treand, M.S.C., whose invitation to James Gilbert to leave almost immediately for Kensington, Sydney, was accepted. Entering the novitiate of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1902, Father Gilbert was ordained in Sydney by the late Cardinal Moran on November 30, 1908, with others, who include Rev. Father M. Smith, M.S.C. (Superior of the Randwick parish), and Rev.Father E. .1. Drohan, M.S.C. (Tasmania).

From 1908 to the end of 1912 Father Gilbert was in charge of the parish of Ahaura (diocese of Christchurch, N.Z.). Then followed 12 months at Umalling (W.A.), and shorter periods in the Riverina and Queenstown (Tasmania). Shortly after the outbreak of the Great War Father Gilbert was appointed to Coogee, but left for the front as chaplain to the 15th Brigade, A.I.F. Returning in August, 1919, he resumed parochial work, taking charge of Coogee,where he has since remained.

Intensive Building. The handsome and serviceable parochial buildings which now adorn a spacious, elevated block of ground are the admirable results of the zealous enterprise, hard work, and sympathetic leadership of Father Gilbert. In1920 he purchased the land for about£5300; the beautiful Church of St. Brigid, with its commanding spire, was erected in 1921 at a cost of £15,000; the school was built in 1924, adding another £1000 expenditure; and various other improvements have been made.

Before the public reception of Father Gilbert last Sunday, Rev. Father E. Dignam, M.S.C., preached at evening devotions a very appropriate sermon on the priesthood, with special reference to the honour and remarkable work for God of Father Gilbert. Among those present at the reception were Very Rev. Fathers A. Perkins, M.S.C.(Provincial), and J. Power M.S.C Rev. Fathers J. Gilbert, M.S.C, E. McAuliffe, PP E Dignam, M.S.C, and Puoebet, MSC Sacred Heart Missionary Brothers, Our Lady's Nurses (Coogee). Amidst loud applause lather Gilbert proceeded to the stage through a guard of honour of the 1st Coogee troop of Catholic Boy Scouts (Scoutmaster A. Lee in charge).

Jubilee Greetings and Presentations. The chairman (Mr. Eves) said that Coogee parish was particularly fortunate in its pastor, Father Gilbert, and the people hoped God would spare him. for many years to remain in the parish. He did not like any demonstration or words of praise for what he did; but his flock could not refrain from telling him that they loved him. In his heart, continued Mr. Eves, he had an affection for Father Gilbert which could spring only from a God-given impulse. Father Gilbert 's untiring efforts and guidance of the parishioners had made them wonder how he could have stood up to the tasks he had gone through.

Supporting the jubilee greetings, Mr.Sprott said that the hearts of all present were overflowing with happiness and gratitude for sharing in Father Gilbert's joyous jubilee. His coming to Coogee was a priceless gift to the parish, for his zeal,devotion, and self-sacrifice were extraordinary. No one was more worthy of honour than Father Gilbert for what he had done in the parish, and the people loved and honoured him 'for that and for what he meant to them. To know Father Gilbert was to love him. Here upon, Mr. Sprott presented Father Gilbert with a wallet of notes, his parishioners' gift, as a mark of their love, esteem, pride and joy. The jubilarian, they felt, deserved a rest, and they hoped he would take a holiday and come back to complete his priesthood in Coogee.   The Catholic Press Thursday 07 December 1933 page 19

Beatification of the MSC martyrs of Guatemala April 23rd 2021

Prayer on the occasion of the beatification, from the General House  

In invitation to watch the ceremony on line.

23 April 2021

Celebration space: prepare a space with an image of the Blessed of Quiché, Father Jules Chevalier, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, the Paschal Candle, three candles to represent the Blessed and the Word of God in the centre.

1- INTRODUCTION

Today we gather with the Church and as a religious family to proclaim the heroic virtues of our Brothers: Father José María Gran Cirera, Father Faustino Villanueva, Father Juan Alonso Fernandes and seven lay people martyred in Guatemala. They lived their definitive surrender to the merciful love of the Heart of Christ, and thereby incorporated the gift of martyrdom into our charism. "The blood of martyrs is the seed of new Christians", and in fact the blood of MSC martyrs, are seeds of new MSC vocations.

V. We gather in the name of the FATHER, the SON and the HOLY SPIRIT. R. Amen.

V. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved everywhere. R. Forever!

2- OPENING SONG

Laudate omnes gentes, / Laudate Dominum.

Laudate omnes gentes, / Laudate Dominum.

(The youngest member of the community lights the Paschal Candle and says aloud)

Blessed are you, God of life, for the light of

Christ, and for so many witnesses to the

Kingdom, among them the Martyr Missionaries of the Sacred Heart!

Laudate omnes gentes, / Laudate Dominum.

Laudate omnes gentes, / Laudate Dominum.

3- HYMN (as you choose)

4- MARTYRDOM CHARISM

Reader 1: In Central America at the beginning of the nineteen eighties, the general situation for the countries in that region was appalling, to say the least. Dictatorships were forcefully imposed and brought with them all the evils flowing from a lack of freedom. In the economic area, unemployment, and low wages. In the social area, illiteracy, racial and social discrimination. In the political sphere, repression and violence increased more and more. During this process, religious life in those lands, seeking to be faithful to the Gospel, played a decisive role in the defence of human rights. In this way, they strove for a greater commitment to the poor and a greater commitment to a liberating evangelization.

Reader 2: They made themselves peacemakers. However, in that context, to stand on this side of history, meant to stand against the Regime. A stance in defence of human rights was identified as "dangerous and subversive" and foreign missionaries were seen as a "threat to national sovereignty". One of the most dynamic groups and the most committed to the option for the poor in the following of Jesus was, without doubt, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

For Faustino Villanueva, Juan Alonso Fernandes, and José María Gran Cirera, three Spanish MSC, evangelical commitment to the most marginalised cost them their lives. They gave meaning to their lives by offering to the people of God in Guatemala and Nicaragua the saving and liberating love of God the Father manifested in the Heart of Jesus of Nazareth. They chose the poorest as their friends and died a terrible death for having been faithful in following Jesus through love and service to the marginalised.

All: "The poor are the greatest wealth of the Church".

Reader 1: José María Gran Cirera, born in Barcelona, went to work as a missionary in Guatemala three years after his ordination. His pastoral work obliged him to make long missionary journeys to reach each of the communities of the parish. On 4 June 1980, after celebrating Mass, he set out together with Dominic Batz, his faithful friend and sacristan. They went on their way undisturbed. They did not imagine, however, that in a lonely place there were some soldiers waiting to shoot them in the back. While they were talking, suddenly a loud shot rang out, causing the surrounding birds to take flight. A bullet, fired with precision, pierced the priest's heart, knocking him off his horse. How can one not remember the blow of a lance with which another soldier pierced the heart of Jesus? Falling to the ground, six more bullets pierced the chest of the priest (pause and silence), a man with a clean and generous heart, who with the gospel of peace, proclaimed justice, love, freedom and forgiveness. Dominic Batz was also machine-gunned in the back. Two soldiers blew his skull apart. It was the eve of the feast of Corpus Christi. Like Jesus, both the priest and catechist gave their body and blood as the price of their choice for peace and love.

Reader 2: After the first martyrdom, the MSC community met to discern whether or not they should continue there, since things were getting worse and worse. It was decided that they would continue to carry on with their work of evangelization and defending the rights of the people as long as they had life. After this meeting, Fr Faustino returned to his parish. The question "Who will be next?" reverberated in his head. No one

thought that it could be him because nothing had happened in the place where he worked. However, on 10 July 1980, about half past eight in the evening, after celebrating Mass at the parish church, he was called to the door of the parish house. The cook went to answer. They were two well-dressed young men. They asked if they could speak to the priest. She watched as the young men entered and heard the priest greet them. They said something in a low voice and soon Fr Faustino entered the office, followed by one of them, while the other remained by the door. The maid, quieter, continued to clean the furniture. Suddenly a gunshot was heard that echoed through the house. As she ran to the office, she heard the second shot. It was still light as she saw the killers as they took off across the square, mounted their motorbike and disappeared into the night. The woman ran in and found the priest lying on the ground, bathed in the blood that came copiously from his head (pause and silence). Now as before, and even more insistently, the question hung in the air: "Who will be next?

All:

Lives for life

Lives for the kingdom

Lives for the kingdom

All our lives

Like his lives 

Like his life

The martyr Jesus.

Reader 1: After the murder of Father Faustino, Father Juan Alonso, who always preferred the most risky and difficult for himself, insisted on going north, where the danger was greater, even though, at that time in the region, any place was dangerous for those who opted for the poor. In those days, towards                the         end        of January, he wrote to his brother: "I have the feeling that I am in danger. I don't want to be killed in any way, but neither am I ready, out of fear, to abandon this people. Never, as in those days, did the truth of the apostle's words shine so brightly in his life. On the afternoon of Friday 13 February 1981, he was forced to go to the Military Detachment so they might extract from him the "confessions" that suited them. Courageous as always, Father Juan was not intimidated: "What we preach, anyone can hear. If you want to know what I say, just go to church. I do nothing but preach the word of God.

Reader 2: That day they did not release him until late at night. The next day after lunch he took his motorbike and set off for a community. In all these localities the people, despite their fear, were waiting for their pastor. Time passed and Father Juan did not arrive. The people then began to worry. In fact, at that hour, however, Juan Alonso was already living his Calvary. Witnesses saw soldiers dragging the priest up the ravine. He asked for water, but they would not give him any. In exchange they tortured him. The soldiers broke his ankle, then sat him down on a rock and blew his head off with three shots from close range (pause and silence).

Reader 3: Around six thirty in the afternoon, Msgr. Vitor Hugo Martinez telephoned the MSC saying: "The body of Father Juan has been found. Three bullets in the head. In the city, a drunk soldier was saying, as if it were a feat, that he had killed another priest. It was February 15, 1981.

These three MSC were martyred, together with seven other lay people. They have stories in common but lived a different vocation. They were individuals in different situations, but with at least one thing in common: the profound sense of living in fidelity to the Gospel. They were nourished by the conviction that the perfect model for the heart of humanity is the Heart of Jesus. To defend a full life for all, as Jesus did, cost them their lives, as it also cost the life of Jesus. They followed Christ in life, they followed him, also in death. With Christ they now reign in eternity. The Gospel sometimes demands of us an attitude of integrity that can cost us dearly. The question we could ask ourselves is: to what extent are we willing to do so?

All:

Lives for life

Lives for the kingdom

Lives for the kingdom

All our lives

Like his lives 

Like his life

The martyr Jesus.

5- GOD SPEAKS TO US

LISTENING TO THE WORD - Jn 12: 24-26

(Prayerful silence and spontaneous sharing)

(After the reading and sharing of the Word of God, one MSC of the community reads the following text, and lights one of the three candles located on the memorial, representing one of the martyrs (one in turn).

6- BEATIFICATION OF THE HEART

Father of Goodness, we, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, stand before the witness of our brother Fr. José María Gran Cirera, who by his life propagated the merciful love of the Heart of Christ. The Church has on this day recognized his heroic virtues by his martyrdom, we ask his intercession: Blessed José María Gran, pray for us!

The first candle is lit, representing Blessed José Maria Gran.

Father of Mercy, we, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, stand before the testimony of our brother Fr. Faustino Villanueva, who by his life propagated the merciful love of the Heart of Christ. The Church has, on this day, recognized his heroic virtues in his martyrdom, we ask his intercession: Blessed Faustino Villanueva, pray for us!

The second candle is lit, representing Blessed Faustino Villanueva.

Loving Father, we, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, stand before the testimony of our brother Fr. Juan Alonso Fernandes, who with his life propagated the merciful love of the Heart of Christ. On this day, the Church recognized his heroic virtues in his martyrdom, we ask his intercession: Blessed Juan Alonso Fernandes, pray for us!

The third candle is lit, representing Blessed Juan Alonso Fernandes.

7- PRAYERS

OUR FATHER OF MARTYRS

Father, of the marginalized poor,

Father, of the martyrs, of the tortured, Your name is sanctified in those who die defending life.

Your name is glorified when justice is our measure.

Your kingdom is of freedom, of fraternity, peace, and communion.

Cursed be all violence that devours life through repression.

We want to do your will; you are the true God of liberation.

We will not follow the doctrines corrupted by oppressive power.

We ask you for the bread of life, the bread of security, the bread of the multitudes,

The bread that brings humanity, that builds people instead of cannons.

Forgive us when out of fear we remain silent in the face of death.

Forgive and destroy the kingdoms where corruption is the strongest law.

Protect us from cruelty, from the death squad, from those who prevail like this.

Revolutionary Father, partner of the poor, God of the oppressed,

Father, revolutionary, partner of the poor, God of the oppressed,

Father, of the marginalized poor,

Father, of the martyrs, of the tortured.

Remember Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Let us pray: Lord merciful Father, thanks for your son Jesus Christ, the faithful witness. Thanks for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart priests: José María, Fausto and Juan Alonso; and for the laymen: Rosalis, Miguel, Reyes, Tomás, Nicolás, Domingos and Juanito, who, moved by your Spirit, lived among us as witnesses of your love. Thank you because new paths of truth, forgiveness and reconciliation are opening up in the midst of your people, so that justice, love, and peace may be everywhere present. Through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord. Amen.

Blessed José María Gran and companions, pray for us.

8- FINAL BLESSING

For the record, Peter Hearn MSC arrives at Henley Beach, Parish Priest

Peter Hearn has been ordained 45 years this year. He has had a full and varied ministry: teaching in colleges, ministry in the NT (and a Leuven doctorate on NT and Liturgy), Community Leader at Kensington Monastery, First Counsellor to the Provincial (and responsibility for Professional Standards). For over ten years he has been parish priest of OLSH, parish.

Covid in 2020 led to a more restricted sabbatical time – and locally.

He now takes up his appointment at OLSH, Henley Beach, as PP. The MSC Adelaide community includes, Paul Cashen, superior, Noel Mansfield, Paul McCormack, Kenji Konda (who supplied these photos).

Vince Carroll MSC, Walk for Parkinsons

From 12^th March to 11^th April he walked 416.7km with only two rest days. To date he has raised $2065.00 with $500 coming from Downland’s boarders and staff.  Donations are still being accepted for his walk, just click on this link undefined or send him an email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. He is part of Team Kelly, which has raised over $11,000.

Walk for Parkinsons! That I completed twice what I set out to do which was 8 km per day for 9 days. I did 16km per day - or 154km and 263 Km as well in my 3 week prep.  (Total 417km) The team of Vince and Joe Kelly did 270km in 9 days - average 30km a day. I walked alone and on  a different route because of covid 19. It was quite an event- all family and others joined in. Together they raised up till last Sunday $53,000 - of which my/our effort contributed $2065. I was very proud of the Downlands Boarders and Staff who contributed $500.  Thanks too to the MSC who contributed. It was pretty demanding. They are talking about next year already!!!  Cheers,  Vince

Apparently walking is the best medicine yet found for Parkinsons. As with the sky-Divers over Stumers, sometimes we have to help each other!

It was a worthwhile event, if tough. You had to have “skin” in it!

Vince Carroll MSC

PS I was totally proud of the donation of the Boarding House and Staff of $500 to the effort. I saw only one bigger donation- that of a Lions club on the last day of $1000. Three Lions members on left, Joe and Vince and Miguel (President of Parkinsons Qld).

RIP. Joe Burke

We received the sad news of our former MSC confrere, Joe Burke.

Joe went to Japan after ordination in 1958, eventually becoming Superior – and having to deal with some difficult situations.

Joe is survived by his wife, Erika, loving father of Amanda and Karen Morrison. Adored grandfather of Alessandro Morrison. Aged 88 Years. Deeply mourned by his family and friends in Australia and around the world.

Many of us have warm memories of him from scholasticate days.

News of his funeral comes from Jim Littleton:

Joe and I were good friends from Douglas Park days, Croydon,  1975 General Chapter and touring Israel and parts of Europe together, and regular visits to him and Erika in Sydney.   Erika organised his funeral at a Funeral Home in Rozelle near where they lived.   I was invited to speak at it which I did for about five minutes on behalf of the MSC.   Barry Smith and John Bosman came with me.   Brian Gagen was also there and spoke for a few minutes.   I was disappointed that there was no Mass, but details had been organised before I knew that Joe had died.

The flavour of memories comes from Russ Andersen writing, “ In the Scholasticate Joe contributed so much to community-building and brotherly support and family laughter......always ready for scratch concerts or impromptu funny items with Frank Crilley or Tony Young or myself somehow involved. Joe made the practices funnier than the actual presentations (which were often flops) but I feel indebted to Joe for his charism of cheerfulness and laughter Thank you Joe....Russ

The site website editor has memories of Croydon when Joe was in the top year and he was the junior in the scholasticate. Joe, a touch angular, cheerfully raucous, larrikin attitudes in the best sense.

Acknowledging Brian Taylor.

Brian with Provincial, Chris McPhee, in 2018.

Congratulations to Brian Taylor who turns 85 today.

Brian is from South Australia, born 1936. He made his profession on February 26^th, 1955. His studies were at the Sacred Heart Monastery, Croydon, and he was ordained July 1^st, 1961.

The MSC in Japan 2018.

His main appointment has been to Japan where he has ministered for almost six decades. His present station is in Gifu parish.

Easter 2020 was lockdown. Easter 2021 was unlocked. Melbourne Community

Easter Vigil, St Thomas' Blackburn. Trieu MSC sings Frank Andersen's Exultet

Easter Vigil back in the church

And, afterwards at Cuskelly House, Tony Young and Gerry Burke visiting

With Sue Richardson, Mary Andersen LCM (Russ' and Frank's sister). And Michael Sims

A PS on the formation houses

The corridor and the rooms

And the house at 71 Central Rd.

Australian conscience: aboriginal deaths in custody. 30 years since the Royal Commission.

Our confrere in the past, Pat Dodson, now Senator, was a member of the Royal Commission and its findings in 1991.

First Nations people continue to be one of the most incarcerated peoples on earth, with numbers nearly doubling since the Royal Commission’s findings were tabled in Parliament three decades ago. 

Senator Dodson said after more than a generation of inquiries, royal commissions, high court judgements and reports into land rights, deaths in custody, child removals and stolen generations, there needs to be tangible action. 

“There’s enough evidence, there’s enough knowledge about how the nation has behaved towards First Nations peoples —it's time for us to take those lessons and make the reforms necessary”

First Nations people continue to be one of the most incarcerated peoples on earth, with numbers nearly doubling since the Royal Commission’s findings were tabled in Parliament three decades ago. 

Claude Mostowik MSC, MSC Justice and Peace, has sent this letter from Common Ground.

Dear friends.

Today marks 30 years since the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody released its final report after investigating 99 Aboriginal Deaths in Custody between 1980-1989. 339 recommendations were made which are still valid today, but very few have been implemented. 

In the last 30 years, 474 Aboriginal people have died in custody, 5 just in the past 6 weeks. Some of these deaths could have been prevented if the recommendations of the Royal Commission were implemented and adhered to. Many of the families have never received justice for their loved ones. 

We must go beyond the numbers and respect and honour the individual lives lost. Today we honour the legacies of every Aboriginal person who has died in custody, we pray for their families and communities and thank God for their strength and courage to carry on the fight for justice. 

As followers of Jesus, this is our fight too. 

It says in Hebrews 13:1- 3, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.”

As Brooke says in her poem, “We Can’t Breathe”, “Just as these Aboriginal Deaths in Custody seem relentless, Through love - let our pursuit for justice be relentless!”

Our prayer is you will be the one today who will “Join us in justice, So it’s not just us.”

Wadeye – and 80^th anniversary, OLSH.

Should you be in the vicinity…

Malcolm Fyfe writes: There will be a community day held at the old convent on Saturday the 17th of April from 11:00am - 1:00pm to commemorate the arrival of the Our Lady Of The Sacred Heart sisters first arriving in Wadeye.

OLSH Sisters and students

The old convent was recently heritage listed by N.T.G with restoration works carried out by the Thamarrurr men's shed and T.D.C housing and construction.

Memories of Deacon Boniface

The convent was built and ready for them to move into as they began setting up the first school in 1941.

Wadeye community at the visit of Abzalon

and Brother Pye (and some faces in the background in younger days)