MSC Brothers’ Call and Life

As mentioned yesterday, we have been focusing on posts on MSC Brothers.  We continue this weekend.

MSC Brothers by Warren Perrotto MSC

A Brother is a “man committed to living the Consecrated Life in response to a call from God.” (Religious Brothers Conference) Prompted and guided by the Holy Spirit, a Brother wishes to consecrate himself to Jesus, his Brother. He wants to become one with Jesus and imitate Jesus, as brother. Becoming one in love and commitment to Jesus, he imitates his Brother, Jesus - as the chaste person – having unconditional love for all persons; investing in integrity, intimacy and friendship, yet letting go of one-encompassing human relationship. He imitates his Brother, Jesus – as the poor person – renouncing radical ownership. He further imitates his Brother, Jesus - the obedient person to the will of God – always seeking and willing to do the same.

MSC Brothers' meeting, Bangalore 2010

The Brother comes to live out his call from Jesus, with his particular religious community’s charism and spirituality. It is a life of community, founded upon the common faith in Jesus, which is shared upon a vision of living faith through the traditions of his particular Congregation. The life as a Religious Brother is at the very heart of the Church in his intense prayer life, community living and apostolic service. (cf. Vita Consecrata, 60)

Brothers' meeting APIA Conference, 2018

A Brother’s ministry is varied according to his own particular talents and the needs of his Religious Congregation. He can be a teacher, theologian, lawyer, nurse, doctor, pastoral administrator, artist, cook, electrician, etc. What is important is not what he does, but who he is–a man consecrated to his Brother, Christ, one with his Brother, Christ, through the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity and obedience. It is a special gift, a unique calling to the Consecrated Life. A Brother at times appears at the altar with the ordained, assisting in lay ministries; however, he prefers being in the “trenches” with the laity, sitting with them as their brother. He is the special sign of the brotherhood/sisterhood of all humankind.

At Apia, Kensington Monastery, Sydney, 2018

Brothers are brothers in the fullest sense of the word. They possess a freedom to encounter both clergy and laity as true brothers and sisters—talking, laughing and sharing within their joys, hopes and sorrows. Their commitment to the Consecrated Life places them at the service of the whole human family. In Christ, their Brother, they give testimony to the “divine plan of gathering all humanity into the civilization of love, the great family of the children of God.” (Vita Consecrata, 35) They are Brothers to all of God’s children, serving all in the spirit of Christ’s own brotherhood.

Warren Perrotto is a member of the American province. For some years he has been based in Fiji.

Tribute to Colin Sinclair MSC 

With Jos Beelen's 95th birthday and yesterday's story on the Australian Brothers at the General House, we have been focusing on our Brothers. Which continues today.

From all the members of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in the MSC Pacific Union. (From the recent edition of the MSC Magazine)

In writing this tribute to Bro Colin we would like to first acknowledge the many years of selfless, unrelenting, hard work that Br. Colin put into the building up of the Pacific Union during his time with us. We are highly indebted to his wisdom, guidance, dedication and perseverance to the growth of the Pacific Union and for this we express our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to Colin.

To begin with, Colin always displayed a great respect for the different cultures he encountered in the Pacific Union. He always highlighted how important culture was and encouraged us to maintain our way of life and to be proud of who we were.  His openness, respect, and acceptance of us made him welcome in our lives, and in this context he was able to share his wisdom and knowledge with us. It was no easy task on his part to understand the dynamics of our Pacifican cultures, but his humility and simplicity enabled him to achieve just that. His openness, respect and humility endeared him to us, creating the opportunity for growth and perseverance in our vocation as MSC.

Colin's humility was also expressed by the way he humbly made himself readily available for the many tasks and responsibilities that were asked of him. Never a complaint crossed his lips as he doggedly worked at his tasks. He was always ready to step in and make his gifts available to all those who needed them. He was an exemplary teacher, builder and formator who went about quietly doing his work, earning respect and admiration from everyone who worked with him. Colin was never one to draw attention to himself, preferring to work quietly behind the scenes. As a man of integrity he could be depended upon to get the job done.

Colin's work ethic was always a guiding light in community. His confidence, discipline, honesty and reliability set the benchmark for us to follow. Just watching him work motivated us to do better in our daily tasks and studies. Colin lived by the principle that we ought to put in an honest day's work every day. By the same token, he knew how to relax and enjoy himself. He cared for his health and would take lengthy walks after work at Wainadoi. He would regale us with humorous stories and personal experiences when we got together for our social gatherings and his fine sense of humour earned him the affectionate nickname of 'Bloody Col'. Through his example Colin showed us how to live a healthy balanced life of work, prayer and relaxation.

An important and integral role that Colin held was that of formator. As a formator and mentor Colin did a sterling job of facilitating our growth as young religious and molding and shaping us according to our gifts and talents, reminding us constantly that we are to make use of our gifts in service to others.

Colin gave the formandi the best formation program anyone could receive. He prepared his classes with meticulous care guiding the students through human development, pastoral involvement, scripture studies, the life of Fr. Jules Chevalier, the MSC Constitutions, the MSC way of life, and most importantly, the Religious Vows.

Colin taught with utter conviction in his subjects because what he had to teach in the classroom he practiced in his daily life. This had a huge impact on the formandi who looked to Colin as their role model. It is often acknowledged that much of Colin's teaching wasn't in what he said but rather in what he did. He was a man who walked the talk.

This came across clearly for us in his steadfast life of prayer which has been an inspiration and motivation for us all. His day began with prayer, was filled with prayer, and ended with prayer. As a real man of prayer, he was always filled with indefatigable energy that was constantly fueled by the firm conviction he had of God's love expressed in the compassionate Heart of Jesus.

Despite our weaknesses and failures in formation, Colin never gave up on us. He continually confirmed the good he saw in us and encouraged us to keep going. He was always there to journey with us and to lend a helping hand. Many vocations would have fallen by the wayside if it hadn't been for Colin. Approachable and trustworthy, many of us often shared our troubles and concerns with him knowing that he would direct us with his wisdom and guidance. Busy as he was, he always made time to be with us in our concerns.

We also pay tribute to Colin for the brilliant job he did as the Union Bursar. He did not find it easy but he tirelessly worked on chasing up on receipts, payments and bank statements keeping tabs on all our financial concerns. He sacrificed many a weekend just to keep the accounts updated and in order. His financial reports at the Union Council meetings were always detailed, precise and transparent. The General Bursar also expressed his gratitude for the organized way Colin prepared his annual financial reports for Rome. Colin's comprehensive reports ensured that the Pacific Union continued to receive subsidies and financial assistance from the General Administration and other Provinces after recommendations from the Finance Advisory Board.

Despite his demanding work as Union Bursar and formator, Colin spent a significant amount of time with the poor and those in need. Just to name a few, he efficiently managed the water-tank project with the Mission Office ensuring that poor communities in Kiribati and Fiji would receive clean drinking water. He taught at Chevalier Training Center (Fiji) preparing young underprivileged boys for future employment as tradesmen. He also built Chevalier College on Abemama ensuring a solid education for young people all over Kiribati. Today it happens to be the College of choice for many secondary school students in Kiribati who have moved on to University studies in Fiji and abroad.

In all things Colin led by concrete example whether it was in the area of prayer, work or community living. As a man of few words whose actions spoke volumes, he was always the first to be a good example to us. Colin was realistic. He acknowledged how challenging life could sometimes be and wasn't afraid to say so. He also knew that life could be hard for the students as well. Through his simple approach to life, Colin taught us how to cope with the hardships and challenges of life. His kindness and simplicity are a hallmark of the man's character.

And so, to our Bro Colin Sinclair, we raise a toast to wish you a very blessed and happy Golden Anniversary. Congratulations Brother Col. May the Good Lord continue to bless you with good health and many more years to come. Thank you for all that you have been for us.

Australian MSC Brothers at the General House

Recently, we posted a list of postwar students who were sent to Rome.

From 1950, a number of Brothers from the Australian Province were stationed at the Generalate, Via Asmara.  Here is the list:

David Smith, later ordained.  From 1950.

Charles Lang.  From 1950.

George Lockhead. From 1959.

Tom Fitzgerald. From 1959.

Jos Beelen. From 1963.

Barney Delaney. From 1979.

Jac Boelen. From 1985.

Ministry ranged from domestic work to cooking (George Lockhead being the outstanding cook, especially during the Vatican Council with hospitality and entertaining), archive work (especially for Barney Delaney) and hospitality (especially with an increasing knowledge of Rome and its highlights for visitors, check with Jac Boelen).

Jules Chevalier Day, 113^th anniversary of his death.

We are thankful for the heritage from Jules Chevalier

A devotion that led to a Heart Spirituality.

An appreciation of Mary, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Brothers and priests, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Sisters, Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Sisters, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Lay MSC

Missionaries throughout the World

Basilica Issoudun and Cor Novum

and more

Papal Honour for Bill Griffiths as a Knight of the Order of St Gregory the Great.

From Malcolm Fyfe MSC, Vicar General, Diocese of Darwin.

Many would remember Bill Griffiths, our Director of Catholic Education (before Michael Avery).

He was “Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Darwin and an executive member of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) in 1993. His service to Catholic education in the Northern Territory from 1993 until 2007 was outstanding.”

Announcing the awards today, Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan said the Order of St Gregory the Great was one of the highest awards for lay people, bestowed on Catholic men and women deemed to have made a significant contribution to the Catholic Church.

“These two men are most worthy recipients of this high honour with their outstanding service to the community over many years,” Archbishop O’Regan said.

Bill Griffiths, Ministry in Education, Adelaide, Darwin 1993-2007, National Liturgical Council.

Dr Griffiths, a secondary school teacher by profession, joined the staff of the Adelaide Catholic Education Office in 1974, directing state-wide programs for the children of immigrants. He was also a member of the early SA Commission for Catholic Schools at a time of significant change in the Catholic school system.

He then held leadership positions in three Catholic colleges in Adelaide, including as principal of Kilmara Senior School at Thebarton and St Paul’s College at Gilles Plains, before becoming Director of Catholic Education in the Diocese of Darwin and an executive member of the National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) in 1993. His service to Catholic education in the Northern Territory from 1993 until 2007 was outstanding.

In 2008, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference appointed Dr Griffiths chief executive officer of the NCEC in Canberra. Returning to Adelaide in 2013 to retire, he has held a variety of leadership positions on parish, school and social service governance and management boards.

Dr Griffiths’ other major contribution to the life of the Church in Australia has been through liturgy and music. He chairs the National Liturgical Council and was until recently secretary of the National Liturgical Music Council. In Darwin, he was an inaugural member of the diocesan Liturgy Reference Group. Locally, he has served as an organist at St Mary’s Cathedral in Darwin and in the churches of the Cathedral Parish in Adelaide. A person of deep faith, Dr Griffiths is an Oblate of St John’s Abbey at Collegeville in the United States.

Dr Griffiths was nominated for the papal honour by the Bishops Conference.

National Liturgical Council

 Australian Province Appointments for 2021.

The Provincial Council met Wednesday and Thursday and made the following Decisions were made:

Appointments for 2021.

Steve Dives will retire from the role of Deputy Provincial and, after nine years, from the Provincial Council. He is appointed to Kensington Monastery – but not to retire!!

• Superior Kensington Campus: Steve Dives.

John Kelliher will finish his term at Kensington Monastery on November 1^st, and have a well deserved break before taking up his new Appointment at Nightcliff.

• Steve will also finish from the Provincial Council at the end of this year, after being on it for nine years. He will continue as Deputy Provincial until the end of the year but will move to Kensington.

• Deputy Provincial: Peter Hendriks to begin on 1^st January, 2021
• Leo Wearden will finish his term on the Provincial Council at the end of this year, after nine years.
• Kimi Vunivesilevu is appointed to the Provincial Council
• Parish Priest Randwick NSW: Gerard McCormick
• Parish Priest Kensington NSW: Terry Bowman
• Parish Priest of Coogee nsw: Phil Hicks (renewed)
• Parish Priest Erskineville NSW: Tan Nguyen
• Parish Priest Blackburn Vic: Alo Lamere
• Parish Priest Kippax ACT: Kimi Vunivesilevu
• Parish Priest Henley Beach: Peter Hearn. Peter will have sabbatical leave before taking up his new appointment.

• Parish Priest Nightcliff: John Kelliher
• Tru Nguyen will move to Melbourne to work with Khoi Nguyen and both will do part time Siloam Program. In 2022 Tru will be Pre-novice Director and Khoi will be Novice Master.
• Peter Guy is appointed to Kensington Monastery.
• All appointments begin on 1^st January, 2021 unless otherwise indicated.
• All parish appointments are subject to approval by the relevant Diocesan Bishop.

Formation appointments:

• Accepted for First Vows
  • Daniel Magadia
  • Trieu Nguyen

• Accepted into the Novitiate
  • Anh Nguyen
  • Vincent Phon Phan

Mary MacKillop, 10 years anniversary of her Canonisation.

The Sisters of Saint Joseph will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the canonisation of St Mary MacKillop this weekend with commemorative prayers, videos and a global vigil in her honour.

The MSC have long admired the Sisters of St Joseph and their ministry and mission.  In 1866, the year of foundation, Mary MacKillop used the motto which Jules Chevalier promoted, ‘May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved”. We have still not been able to discover where Mary MacKillop found the motto.  It is on a cloth in the MacKillop Museum at North Sydney. It is referred to as the Congregation Seal, the date 1866. The photo is from one of the exhibition cases in the museum.

Many MSC have had sisters in the congregation including Norbert Earl (whose sister, Sister Denis was a Superior General), Ed Bennett, John Burford, James McNamara, Frank Crilley, Terry Barry, Peter Carroll. Sister Denis Malone was an early Josephite.

There have been many connections. Fr Matthew Smith gave the Saint her last communion, Viaticum.  For many years Paul Stenhouse celebrated the morning Mass at Mount Street.  Associations with St Margaret’s Darlinghurst and the MacKillop Centre in East Melbourne – and many others.

St Mary MacKillop was canonised by Pope Benedict XVI in Rome on October 17, 2010. About 9000 Australians travelled to Rome to celebrate the occasion.

Ten years on, the Sisters of Saint Joseph are inviting Australians to reflect on what the canonisation of Australia’s first saint meant to them then and now.

The theme chosen for this celebration is "Take Fresh Courage". This theme, reflecting the many challenges Australians have faced in 2020 , is taken from a letter written by St Mary MacKillop in 1877.

Sr Monica Cavanagh, Congregational Leader of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, said: “The 10th anniversary of Saint Mary MacKillop’s canonisation is a chance for us to reflect on Mary’s legacy and the valuable lessons her life experiences have taught us.

“She faced hard times and adversity over the years, from her family’s poverty to the loss of many loved ones. She carried on, strengthened by her faith and her determination to serve others … She was a woman of strong convictions and great energy who treasured friendship and family. Mary always had a place in her heart for those most challenged by life’s circumstances.

“I am proud that the Sisters of Saint Joseph continue to follow in her footsteps today and people from around the world find inspiration in her example.”

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 5^th, 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.

And more martyrs and beatifications: Martyrs of Quiche, Guatamala.

Not quite the expected iconography!

Previously (last April) there was a notification about the beatification of our MSC Martyrs and 7 indigenous laity from Quiché (Guatemala). The beatification was confirmed for December 4, 2020.

However, this week there was a Facebook posting from Julio Chevalier: MSC Martyrs of Quiché. The beatification of our martyr brothers and the seven catechists of Quiché will be on April 23, 2021. Let's THANK GOD

Here are the details of the martyrs.

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Cause of Saints will be the representative of Pope Francis to preside over the Beatification. The celebration will be held in Santa Cruz de Quiché, Guatemala.

Here are their stories:

It was engendered by poverty, racism, social differences, oppression, corruption, lack of work. It began with demonstrations, turned into confrontations between guerrillas and the army, grew into an "undeclared civil war" and led to a cruel persecution of the Catholic Church in several of the departments. Among them, the department of El Quiché in the west of the Republic of Guatemala suffered the most from this persecution. Not without reason did the bishop-poet Pedro Casaldáliga write:

Put on your wedding clothes,

You, the most martyr of all,

Santa Iglesia de Quiché.

Thousands of Catholics, especially catechists, were killed at that time. It was enough to have a Catholic bible or a rosary or to dedicate oneself to helping others for one to be classified as a guerrilla member, and, therefore a prisoner of death. Among the multitude of those killed for their faith, their living the Gospel, their service to the most needy and for trying to live like Jesus, ten people were chosen to begin their process of beatification. It was an arduous task that took more than 10 years. And we hope that they will not be the last. Three Missionary Priests of the Sacred Heart, pastoral agents of the diocese of Quiché, with seven of their catechists form the initial group of the martyrs of El Quiché.

Pope Francis decreed on January 23, 2020, that these three Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, together with seven of their Mayan catechists from El Quiché, could be counted among the number of the blessed of the Church.

These will be the first of the indigenous races, declared blessed in Central America.

May their example stimulate us to follow Jesus with ever greater joy and fidelity, revealing to us the love of God, for which these brothers; gave their lives.

MSC Covid-19 deaths in Europe.

In the media recently, families have written tributes to members of their family who have succumbed to covid-19.

We have already honoured our three US confreres who have died:

George Farkas, aged 88

Joseph Tesar, aged 87

John Paul, aged 87.

And from Central America, Jose Dore Chicos, aged 45.

Our confreres from Belgium, Spain, France - long lives of foreign mission ministry.  (Stories from the MSC General Bulletin.)

Our MSC confreres who died from COVID-19 in the Belgian Province

Fr. Alfons de Nijs was born in Deurne (Antwerp) on 14/07/1936, the third in a family of five children. Feeling called to religious life, he entered the apostolic school in Asse in 1947. On the 23rd April 1962 he was ordained a priest in Louvain. He was first a mission promoter in the region of Antwerp and Flemish Brabant, which he did with the enthusiasm that would characterise his life.

His missionary dream came true in 1968. He was able to go and strengthen the Belgian MSC group in the southwest region of Paraná (Brazil).

At the end of his holidays in Belgium in 2019, the doctors forbade him to return to Brazil because of the delicate state of his heart. He would have liked to return to Brazil at least for a farewell visit. But the coronavirus decided otherwise: in early March 2020, he was infected and hospitalised. He died on 6 April 2020, without being able to say goodbye.

Fr. Joseph Bossmans was born on 8th December 1927 in Bree. Coming from a very religious family, he felt the vocation to the priesthood at a very early age.

At the beginning of September 1942, he entered the apostolic school of the Congregation in Asse and was ordained priest in Louvain on 6/09/1953. His great dream was to join the Belgian brothers who had been working in the mission of Paraná (Brazil) since 1948. He was able to join them in 1955.

In the last years of his life, through visits to hospitals, he kept in touch with many people, until his death from COVID-19 on 17 April 2020.

Fr. Edgard De Vlaminck was born on 08-01-1926 in Lembeke (East Flanders). He entered the Apostolic School in Asse in September 1937. On 21.09.1948 he made his final vows and on 04.03.1950 he was ordained priest. After his ordination, Fr. Edgard attended the Social School and it was in 1953 that he embarked for the first time for the mission of Equateur (Belgian Congo).

After the house in Beernem was closed and sold in 2004, Fr. Edgard retired to Borgerhout, where he lived another 16 years in a quiet retreat among his confreres.

He died in the General Hospital of Deurne on 14-04-2020 from Covid-19. Restrictions during the time prevented the community from saying goodbye to him.

Our confrere who died from COVID-19 in the Spanish Province

On 21 September, in Valladolid (Spain), Fr. Isabelino Rubio García died on his 83rd birthday. He was born in Valdunquillo in 1937 and very young, at the age of 11, he joined the Little Work of Valladolid. He moved to Canet de Mar to make his novitiate. He made his religious profession in 1954 and, in Rome, after obtaining his degree in Sacred Theology, he was ordained priest in 1961.

From this date, Fr. Isabelino's life is offered as a varied and great service in all the ministries the was appointed to. His capacity, adaptability and varied skills led him to occupy various positions as teacher and director of the scholasticate, the Sacred Heart School in Pontevedra, rector of the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Barcelona and parish priest in various churches of the Congregation, he was also Provincial Councillor on several occasions and Provincial Superior from 1993 to 1999. During this period the MSC mission in Paraguay was started.

In the area of the Spanish Church, he was a delegate to CONFER (Spanish Conference of Religious) and was appointed to various diocesan offices, such as the Presbyteral Council and the Group of Consultants of the Diocese of Valladolid.

He was a person with a strong personality, very optimistic in everything he undertook or was asked to lead. Easy to communicate with, he created good and lasting friendships in the different communities and ministries he was entrusted with. Without a doubt, he led a life full of dedication and activity at the service of the communities he was in.

Our confrere who died from COVID-19 in the French Province

Brother Robert RYCKEBUSCH, MSC died on April 5, in Marseille, from COVID-19. He was the first of the whole MSC Congregation, but one who loved to be in the last place! He spent his life in Senegal providing the mission with the necessary infrastructure for the proclamation of the Gospel. He built several churches, schools, houses, etc.

One of our Parisian friends speaks of the "palette of the good God", his simplicity, his deep and natural goodness. His confreres cannot come to Issoudun without feeling nostalgia for his smile. That sums up his life, all given to the little ones and the poor. Back in France, he lived for several years in Issoudun and from 2011 he lived at the Hameau des Accates (Marseille) where he was very much appreciated by all the residents.