MSC EDUCATION, TRANSITION TO A LAY DIRECTOR, MARK McGINNITY

In recent decades, Jim Littleton, Denis Uhr, Bob Irwin, have served in this rolel, Director of MSC Education, for our four colleges, Downland, Chevalier, Monivae, Daramalan – Mark McGinnity, finishing his term as principal of Monivae College, now takes on the responsibility.

His comments appeared recently in the MSC printed magazine.

Greetings to the wider MSC community.

At the end of 2019, I conclude my tenure as Principal of Monivae College, Hamilton, and will be taking over from Father Bob Irwin as the Director of MSC Education (Australia) – very “big shoes” to fill, indeed! By way of introduction, I’ve been asked to provide a brief career synopsis.

With over 35 years as a Catholic educator, my time at Monivae was preceded by a range of leadership roles at Xavier College, Kew; St Ignatius College, Riverview; St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill; John Paul II Senior High, Murrayong, and St Pius X College Chatswood. Looking back – I would like to think that my leadership style has been one focused on the provision of positive encounters and strategic outcomes, constant learning and personal reflection. The spiritual formation of students and staff has been a constant throughout my career.

They say that “all good things come to those who wait”. For myself and my wife, Sue, our time at Monivae, immersed in the MSC charism, has been worth the wait! We have found our spiritual home.

Looking forward to the new role – I am therefore grateful to have the opportunity to continue a career within a tradition that holds “relatedness as the care of all educational pursuits”. Now more than ever. Collegial support amongst educational leaders is something to be nurtured and fostered. In a regional setting, this has been a particular focus of my time at Monivae and I look forward to supporting our MSC Principals and College Boards to ensure the MSC charism continues to flourish in our schools. As a recent graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, I view governance as an important aspect of modern educational leadership. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have held numerous positions on Boards across the Education, Health and Sports sectors. Experiences gained here will hopefully help me serve both our MSC schools and the Chevalier Institute well.

In Term One next year, it is envisaged I will “shadow” Bob Irwin as he attends Board meetings at our four schools. I hope to meet new faces and renew acquaintances with others as we “make the rounds” and as stated earlier – “very big shoes to fill”, prayers please.

OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART, IMAGES VIETNAM

With the Feast of the Immaculate Conception transferred to Monday this year, we have a Marian theme today which nicely follows Foundation Day.

Bob Irwin writes:

A few days ago we visited an artist’s house here in Saigon. At the request of Hoang, the community leader here, he has been working on a statue of her, that fits Vietnam style.

He has done the first clay model, and OLSH, MSC men, and MSC sisters were invited or come and see and suggest changes etc. so off we went. It was good timing as Tess Ward was visiting.

MSC Thoi, Toan and Hoang with OLSH from Philippines, Vietnam and Tess, plus MSC sister from Korea with the first clay model and artist.

This is the first picture made of OLSH in Vietnam, based on the original commissioned by Peter Huan. The unusual hairstyle of the child is, I believe, traditional Vietnamese royalty style.

MSC FOUNDATION DAY, DECEMBER 8^TH – 165 YEARS

As always we celebrate the novena made by Frs Chevalier and Maugenest, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception 1854, the donation that enabled them to found the Congregation.

 This offers an occasion for reflecting on the MSC Spirit and Spirituality.

A talk given in 2004 by Rochus Tatamai, MSC, today bishop of Kavieng in PNG, on the occasion of an assembly of the French/Swiss Province presents the MSC tradition very well. At the time Bishop Rochus was part of the Basilica team in lssoudun and he wanted his talk at the Assembly to be a word of thanks for what the MSC missionaries had done for his people.

How do we live this tradition today in over fifty countries around the world?

“As Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, you helped us to respect ourselves and to love each other, especially to love our traditional enemies. You gave us the teaching of Jesus Christ, the Good News. You baptized us into the Body of Christ.

As linguists, you learned and you spoke our languages . You wrote our dictionaries and you taught us our own grammar.

As diplomats, you negotiated with civil authorities for us. You taught us about our own human rights and about religious freedom.

As mediators, you reconciled tribes that were at war. You promoted other cultural values such as the mutual exchange of gifts in order to reach reconciliation. You courageously opposed the traditional law of vengeance (pay back). You won the trust and respect of our people.

As builders, you built our churches, our schools, our clinics, our roads, our bridges and our ports.

As teachers, you taught us to read and write.

As anthropologists, you studied our social structures and you entered into our Melanesian vision of the world. You used our chants and dances to express our faith in the liturgy and in the celebration of the sacraments.

As mystics, you studied our religious beliefs and our initiation rites. You explored our sacred space and time. We recognize you as spiritual men, men of prayer, men of God.

As experts in agriculture, you taught us new ways to cultivate the earth and to produce crops.

As doctors, you healed us with your "miracles" when you gave us your medicine and your knowledge.

And as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, you gave us a God of love who fills us with hope.

You are the entire religious province of France/Switzerland which has always considered my country a priority in the service of the mission, with all the Fathers and Brothers already deceased, often at a very young age, who gave their lives for us.

To all of you great THANKS and to the God whom you have represented, glory and praise forever!”

Rochus Tatamai, MSC, lssoudun, March, 2004

FIRST FRIDAY DECEMBER, CHEVALIER FAMILY POSTER AND JUSTICE THEME

Visitors to the site will have noticed the First Friday posters during the last six months.

They have been prepared by members of the Chevalier Family, MSC, OLSH, MSC Sisters, Lay MSC as a contribution to our Heart Spirituality.

The focus is on Heart Spirituality and Justice, in practice and in prayer.

And a request for your support.

The December poster comes in the context of the COP 25 gathering in Madrid – the possibility for all nations to move forward on our planet’s future with wisdom and courage. (Check out the recommendation for Disney’s feature Wall-E – you will enjoy it.)

During this Advent we ask for the graces to be open to the movement of the spirit as we prepare for the coming our Lord in 2019. At this time, we also remember the importance of the COP 25 (Conference of the Parties)..

Leaders from around the globe will be finalize the rules for the implementation of the climate change promises under the Paris Agreement. Our Vatican leaders and Catholic organizations will be promoting the guidance of 'Laudato Si’ in these deliberations. We join them in prayerful support.

SOME CATCH-UP PHOTO STORIES

Three items today:

1. Paul Stenhouse, burial.

We were unable to include photos from Paul Stenhouse’s burial at Douglas Park last week.  With thanks to the photographer from St Mary’s Towers

2. The annual morning tea at Kensington Monastery, the Chevalier Resource Centre.

3. News of a PNG Lay MSC meeting. 
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Paul Stenhouse, burial.

Barry Smith welcomed those gathered in the Chapel.

Steve Dives officiated.

Peter Malone spoke of Paul and his life and ministry.

All processed to the cemetery.

Burial

Paul’s brother, Richard, and family.

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 The annual morning tea at Kensington Monastery, the Chevalier Resource Centre.

Kensington Community and the Chevalier Resource Centre gathered

with the Chevalier Institute (with Director, Alison McKenzie, and Administrator, Brett Adamson)

for the annual thank you morning tea,

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MSC LAY ASSOCIATES CONFERENCE:

THE SACRED HEART OF JESUS BE EVERYWHERE LOVED..

Today the MSC Lay Associates throughout PNG commences their week long workshop

at MSC De Boismenu College Bomana with the Theme: "Let all Who Thirst Come To Me"

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ACKNOWLEDGING TERRY HERBERT MSC, 80.

Terry Herbert turns 80 on December 4th.  Here is an article he wrote earlier this year for the OLSH Randwick Parish Bulletin, his perspective on his life, call to the MSC and his ministry

A Blessed Life Lived Fully                                           

Terry Herbert MSC

 Bowral, on the Southern Highlands, was a small country town when I was born in December 1939. It was quiet; we lived near a large bush block; motor vehicles were few, and we walked to Mass before our first vehicle in 1947. Dad gently got us moving on Sunday mornings. If at the Church after 7:20 (for 7:30) we were ‘late’!

Mum, youngest of five, grew-up on a farm on the outskirts of Bowral; Dad was from Sydney. We were brought-up on dairy products - full cream milk, farm fresh eggs, vegetables, etc. My parents married at St Patrick’s Church Hill in 1936. Only five people attended - Mum, Dad, Dad’s brother, Mum’s sister, and the priest! Mum was Catholic, Dad converted from C of E. I wonder…! Dad spent a short time as a Carpenter in the Air Force during Darwin’s bombing. My parents’ influence on me was profound. Their presence, respect, patience, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, generosity, hard work, and especially consideration - all ‘faces’ of love honed by suffering, living through the Depression, and Dad’s traumatic experience in Darwin.

I enjoyed country living; open space, free creative quiet time, cycling, tennis, inventions in Dad’s backyard workshop, altar serving for seven years, primary school with OLSH Sisters, secondary with MSC brothers and priests, and an all pervading interest in ‘weather’ and prompted by Bro Ross msc (my best teacher) to write a weekly weather article in Bowral’s local paper for six years from age 13.

My active yet quiet and sheltered background enhanced that gentle ‘inner voice’, idea, interest, heart-motivator, desire - the gentle inspiration of God’s Spirit towards a religious vocation; all under the secure umbrella of loving yet gently demanding parents. I once casually said to Mum, about some issue, ‘I can’t be bothered’. She turned and fronted me (all her 149cm) with a firm, ‘be bothered’. I’d been a priest for about six years.

Teenage - and the occasional ‘voice’ persists - amongst my incredibly full life, which included building and racing model yachts, inventing sensitive wind vanes. I almost lived on tennis courts. Boredom was a non-event even without TV and other technology. I probably caught a healthy work ethic from my parents, studied hard at school, yet struggled to pass exams. My attitude was, ‘I don’t have the brains; wouldn’t be good enough’. After 60+ years, nothing much has changed!

I later learnt that one doesn’t need to be perfect. ‘It’s God’s work. Best to listen to one’s heart, follow it, trust it with goodwill and generosity. The rest, they say, is history. In 2018, I’m 56 years an MSC, and 47 years a priest. It’s been a wonderful, full life - not without difficulties. But God never lets us down. As Dad said, teaching me to swim when I was seven: ‘Daddy won’t let you drown’.

Chevalier

Though awarded the diligence prize, I still failed the Leaving Exam at my second attempt. That was devastating. Dad offered me a job in his Building Firm Office, doing the accounts, wages, writing the cheques, all good prep for later running a Woodwork Budget when teaching the subject.

I was 18 when I first went out with a young lady. Dad (again quietly and calmly) over ten minutes, asked me. ’Who is she? Where does she live? What religion is she? What’s her father do? Where are you going? What time will you be home? - in that order! Then, simple instructions about respect and courtesy included ‘escort her to the front door (not front gate)’. Can’t recall the Film nor Cafe we visited!

After a year, a position became vacant at Sydney Weather Bureau…two years to ‘test’ my life-long passion. So good was it, that I arrived at work up to an hour early (no extra pay) to get in touch with the latest, the better to inform the public. Budgeting was tight - board, meals, train fare to Bowral, each weekend. My vocation ‘call’ persisted, and almost daily I spent time at St Patrick’s Church Hill, discerning my vocation.

If one is agitated, forget it; if peaceful, as I was, as is God’s Spirit, listen and follow. Thankfully I’ve never looked back. A fellow employee (a New Zealander) asked me to help him show-around a couple of his visiting NZ friends. Judy and I resonated, but so did my vocation-call! After another Film/Coffee, I revealed. Her response, ‘Terry (Turree), I don’t really understand what you’re doing; I can only wish you the best - but don’t forget, I love you’. That was mutual.

 And so to Priesthood

At a National Council of Priests Conference

 I was Ordained (with about 25 others) by Cardinal Gilroy at the Cathedral in August 1971 during a massive thunderstorm which I couldn’t go out to observe! My three years post school were invaluable as were my final four years at St Paul’s Late Vocation Seminary at Kensington. I can now better appreciate, how God was gently inviting and preparing me for future life as an MSC priest. In St Paul’s first year in 1968, Fr Jim Cuskelly msc offered us ‘a completely new start to Priest-Formation’, move away from a clerical, enclosed Seminary-model, and in the spirit of Vatican II, offer a more-open, pastoral formation befitting our Australian Church.

In my first year I coached a local 8yr old rugby league team, did some part-time teaching on our weekly day off, visited families, and much tennis for exercise. It proved a good transition-experience to visit Judy, her husband and sons in NZ a couple of times during 1970’s.

Monivae

Study at St Paul’s was a ‘breeze’ by earlier comparisons. From 1966, I’ve been mostly with our education apostolate - Chevalier College 38 years, Monivae College Hamilton for 7 years, and part time teaching between, including three years parish based - one at OLSH Randwick in 1986, and two at Henley Beach, Adelaide. These latter two venues involved regular local school liturgies and a little classroom time at schools.

At Randwick 1986, I attended the Ministry Leadership Course at the Centre in Frances Street. That was an experience! Apart from the much-appreciated forward-looking theology, it involved no written assignments; rather, reflect on a topic and share in groups. Except, with 16 women and three men, it was for me initially daunting, but formative, tapping-into my ‘feminine’. In hindsight, all of the above (and much more) has been formative for my ministry of teaching in Co-ed schools, looking after Boarders, sport-coaching, extensive Parish Mass Supply on the Southern Highlands and over Victoria’s Western Districts, while at Monivae College, helping prepare and preside at nearly 400 Weddings and many Baptisms, Funerals, as well as Hospital and Family visiting.

Cyclist - actually not Terry!

During my years as an MSC Priest, I’ve been able to combine full-time Ministry with many leisure activities and interests - woodwork (my preferred subject to teach); teaching science; weather recording/predicting; sport. I played comp tennis for several years, and raced with a couple of pro cycling clubs for 15 years; extensive bushwalking and camping in four States, with groups and alone.

My two five-day solo treks from Mittagong to Katoomba navigating across the Blue Mountains (and getting ‘lost’ for a time), were deep-digging character formers, among other benefits. I’ve been able to live totally dedicated as a priest and religious, yet combine the normality of my life interests.

The gentle ‘hand of God’ has been clearly in it all. Living as a priest/religious is about a deep, personal relationship with Jesus whose Spirit we all share in serving, loving people into fuller life in Him. There’s a ‘normality’ about that in our many diverse life-enhancing interests. Celibacy, freely chosen by me as a Religious, is a distinct way of loving; a freedom to form deep, loving, personal relationships with all people. Obedience has nothing to do with ‘under the thumb’. That’s tyranny! It’s about deep, reflective, compassionate heart-listening in prayer, towards offering the best, most-loving responses to the people one serves. As Pope Francis says, it’s about going-out to people from one’s Office.

The influence of my parents has been paramount as well as the essential place of deep prayer. I now find I’m almost constantly living in God’s presence, more easily ‘seeing’ that presence in others. One gradually becomes a close companion/ disciple of Jesus, whose beautiful Spirit we all share, but can so easily miss if other pursuits crowd one’s heart.

I’ve learnt to frequently reflect on my life experiences, in light of the Gospels and Paul’s letters; to heart-listen to God’s gentle inspirations, hasten slowly with decisions, be gentle with myself (and hopefully with others, as God is with me), be much more a ‘listener’ than a ‘teller’, honed by one’s Cross. To be a true disciple of Jesus, entails accepting life’s crosses and suffering. That touches one’s vulnerability, strips away self-reliance, self-righteousness, pride, etc. and helps to empty one of self-importance, to make ‘room’ for a childlike heart which trusts God and allows God’s free ‘movement’ and inspiration towards enriching others’ lives.

Yes, indeed, life is good, to be lived well, in the certain hope of Life beyond our imagining in the New Creation. It was (over)time for me to step-aside from schools and over-active Ministry, at the end of 2016. I’m enjoying and appreciating a more-prayerful life in our large Kensington Community, with many “outside” ministry-enrichments, and re-joining Marriage Encounter. I hasten to add my ‘L Plate’ just gets bigger.

WELL WORTH WATCHING, INTERPRETING 'THE TWO POPES'

THE TWO POPES

UK/Argentina/Italy/US, 2019, 125 minutes, Colour, Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Hopkins, Juan Minujin. Directed by Fernando Meirelles.

There are many reasons, good reasons, to see The Two Popes. Some of them are worth noting before the consideration of religious themes.

• First of all, there is the articulate and elegant writing by New Zealand-born screenwriter, Anthony McCarten, who was responsible for the screenplays of The Theory of Everything, a portrait of Stephen Hawking, The Darkest Hour, a portrait of wartime Winston Churchill, Bohemian Rhapsody, a portrait of Freddie Mercury and Queen. He has done his research on Pope Benedict and Pope Francis, drawing on many of their statements as well as using his imagination to create conversations between them. The screenplay is both serious and funny, in English, Spanish, touches of German, Latin, and a significant component of God-language.

• Then there are the performances, two fine actors, Anthony Hopkins a credible Benedict XVI, a ‘behind the scenes’ performance Jonathan Pryce a vigorous Francis. The film has a fine Brazilian director, Fernando Meirelles, whose films include City of God, The Constant Gardener, Blindness – and the opening of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

• And the look of the film is striking, the stylish photography, the Vatican settings, the 2005 conclave, the Sistine Chapel, the papal apartments, St Peter’s and the Piazza, the Cardinals staying at Santa Marta, a visit to Castel Gandolfo. By contrast, the film brings Buenos Aires alive, first of all in the 21^st-century, the outdoors ministry of Cardinal Bergoglio, then black and white flashbacks to his younger years, his vocation decisions, and then a dramatisation of the drastic years of the Generals, especially in the 1970s.

• There are also some surprises with the musical score, not just the expected serious and religious themes, some classical music, but a number of more contemporary songs, creating atmosphere as well as some touches of irony.
• 

Some articles about the film indicate that it is principally conversation between the two popes, their meetings in 2005, Cardinal Bergoglio’s visit to the Vatican in 2012 to persuade the Pope that he should resign as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. While this is at the core of the film, there is a great deal more.

• Some of the issues that the conversations highlight include the stances of each of them concerning belief and doctrine, the traditional teachings of the church, contemporary moral issues. Part of the drama is that they do not see eye to eye on some of these issues, the difficulties of combining authority and tradition with pastoral demands. But, as indicated earlier, there is quite a deal of God-language, discussions about faith and prayer, the two men devout, a confession sequence, Benedict to Francis, which takes the film beyond ordinary dialogue.

It will be interesting after the film’s release, in cinemas first and then on Netflix, making it more immediately available all around the world, to hear the comments of those who favour John Paul II’s and Pope Benedict’s perceptions of the church compared with those who tend, enthusiastically, to favour Pope Francis and his evangelisation outreach. The differences between the two popes are made quite clear early in the film but, as they converse, with strong initial tensions, as they get to know each other, listen to each other’s stories, prepare the way for Benedict’s resignation and its consequences, there is a great deal more in the meeting of minds and hearts.

• Because the film is very sympathetic to Pope Francis (not neglecting the criticisms of him when he was Jesuit provincial in Argentina and was seen to side too much with the authorities), the portrait of him is more extensive than that of Pope Benedict. As indicated, we are taken back quite extensively to Cardinal Bergoglio’s life, black-and-white photography of him as a young man, searching for his vocation, a recurring image of him sitting alone in the mountains reflecting, the possibility for marriage, his choices and entry into the seminary (filmed in black and white). Audiences who might not be fully aware of the controversy about Bergoglio and the generals, his turn as provincial wanting to protect the lives of the Jesuits, asking them to close some of their ministries because they were considered too dangerous, some defiance and him on the part of social-minded, confreres, will find this section of the film quite arresting. But, there are sequences enabling Cardinal Bergoglio to admit mistakes publicly, to be sorry for the decisions that he had made, to reconcile with some of his conferences. These experiences enable him, as Archbishop of Buenos Aires to reach out to the poor.

• The Bergoglio who emerges from these sequences is an educated man, a religious leader, a man who admits mistakes, who is transformed into a social-minded pastor, an extrovert who is comfortable in meeting all kinds of people, enjoying their company (especially in supporting his football team, San Lorenzo), familiar with aspects of popular culture. (An amusing episode occurs where Benedict tells Francis that his piano CD was made it Abbey Road leads to a talk about the Beatles!)

• By contrast, there is no visual portrait of Benedict’s life. There are verbal references, and his saying that he was more introverted, bookish, intellectual, and had not any of the pastoral outreach of the Bergoglio. (Audiences may well enjoy a sequence where the two are in a side sacristy of the Sistine Chapel, tourists arriving, Benedict’s decision for the two to walk through the Chapel, the tourists becoming excited – and a number of selfies!).
• 

And so, the film and its narrative are multi-layered.

• The narrative goes back to the death of John Paul II and the preparations for the subsequent conclave, sequences of Cardinals discussing with each other, the possibility of Cardinal Bergoglio being elected, Cardinal Martini of Milan advising colleagues not to vote for him, Cardinal Ratzinger seemingly eager enough to become Pope. There is a dramatic tension in the conclave – the details of some of the voting, the black smoke, the white smoke, the emergence of Benedict, and Cardinal Bergoglio going back home, but seemingly steady pontificate.

• Towards the end of the film there will be the 2013 conclave, the discussions, the assembly, the voting, the acceptance – and Francis not wanting special shoes, not wanting the ermine cape (“the carnival is over”), emerging to the cheering crowds and simply saying, “Buena Sera” (good evening).

Audiences interested in the contrast between the approaches of Benedict and Francis will find these sequences illustrating the different points of view, the needs of the church in the 21^st-century, the issue of clear guidance and authority compared with a more horizontal metaphor of the church rather than the hierarchical pyramid, pastoral needs and evangelisation.

• Which means then that involved Catholics, with faith and loyalty, will find this two hour immersion into the life of the church of great interest, of encouragement. For nominal Catholics, the film offers an occasion, even an invitation, to more thought and assessment, re-assessment. It will be the same for lapsed Catholics. For ecumenical and interfaith audiences, the drama is both attractive and thought-provoking. And for non-religious audiences, they will appreciate good drama, good writing and performances, character studies – and an opportunity to give further thought to the credibility, life and mission of the Catholic Church.
• 

But, audiences will have two, at least, aspects of conversation about the film.

• Questions arise, as they have done during the two pontificates, about tradition and openness of the church. Vatican II was about opening the windows and renewal and updating. John Paul II was committed to doctrinal orthodoxy but also to extensive world travel, showing the human, and frequently genial, face of the church. Benedict, had to move out of his preference for reserve, and continue John Paul II’s two aspects of church life, authority as well as the human face. With Francis, and this is very strongly highlighted in the film, the tradition is important but the pastoral interpretation of tradition is the great challenge, the realities of evangelisation in the contemporary world, pastors and their having “the smell of the sheep”.

• Most most audiences will enjoy the way these emphases are illustrated, from his whistling Abba’s Dancing Queen (which actually is also used in the background as the fully robed Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel for the conclave!), some Latin American musical background, Pope Francis trying to book a ticket to Lampedusa online and failing (the film actually opening and closing with this episode), buying pizza in a shop near the Vatican (and later persuading a Vatican authority to go out and get some takeaway pizza for himself and Benedict to enjoy), Francis and his TV football watching, his jokes. Benedict does not always get them, then realises that they are jokes – and, amusingly, when he himself makes a joke, not so funny, he tells Francis that this was a German joke and German jokes are not meant to be funny! So, the human face, the humour.
• 

In these senses, The Two Popes might be seen as an exercise in evangelisation to the world in the Francis’ mode.

• At the core of the conversation is Benedict’s resignation. There is a dramatic build-up in so far as Cardinal Bergoglio travels to the Vatican, continually tries to persuade Benedict to accept his resignation. Because of the differences in perspective between the two, Benedict says that the resignation might be interpreted as a criticism of Benedict’s direction of the church. So, there is much discussion to illustrate the different perceptions of each of the men.

• However, with the issues of mismanagement in the Vatican bank, with the pressures of being Pope, Benedict’s advancing age, he turns the tables and shocks Bergoglio with the news that he wants to resign. Interesting that Bergoglio thinks that this is impossible, unthinkable. But, audiences will find fascinating this dramatising of the two points of view, the continuing conversations, Benedict reasoning, Francis’s change of mind – with a wry observation put in Benedict’s mouth that the papal successor usually acts as a corrective to the previous Pope and he will be glad to be alive to see his corrective! There are several mentions that rather than compromise, well-considered change is preferable.

• The bonds between the two men and increasing mutual understanding prepare them for the actual resignation, the amazement throughout the world, the next conclave (and a scene where Benedict watches the white smoke on television in the papal apartment), the emergence of Francis.

The film then takes the advantage of quoting Francis’s words of social concern, his first trip outside the Vatican to Lampedusa to meet refugees who had sailed across the Mediterranean from North Africa, images of small boats and overwhelming waves, the faces of those in need. To that extent, the ending is venture into preaching, social preaching.

Given the significance of the two Popes themselves, the papacy in the Catholic Church at the beginning of the 21^st-century, the continued dialogue between tradition and pastoral outreach, the questions of what the Catholic Church should be and will be, The Two Popes is certainly worth watching – and watching again.

SIGNIS STATEMENT (WORLD CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION FOR COMMUNICATION) -  PETER MALONE MSC

SOME SIGNIFICANT DECEMBER DAYS FOR THE CHEVALIER FAMILY, 2019

8^th December, the anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation, 164 years ago.

Also the transferring of Mother Marie-Louise Hartzer to the Crypt at Issoudun.

And several dates significant for Fr Chevalier and Fr Maugenest - the novena for the foundation, ordination date and vows

3 December, 1970

Father Louis Vangeke, MSC, the first priest of PNG, appointed auxiliary of Port Moresby, is ordained Bishop by Pope Paul VI, in Sydney, Australia.

5 December, 1829

Birth of Emile Sebastian Maugenest , in Culan, France.

8 December, 1854

Father Chevalier and Father Maugenest end their novena to the Blessed Virgin.

It was planned to conclude on the day that Pius IX proclaimed Mary’s Immaculate Conception.

Father Chevalier always considered this day as the foundation day of the MSC Congregation, and it continues to be so today.

8 December, 1865

Beginning of the Annals of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in France.

8 December, 1956

The Missionaries of Christ (MC) are founded by father C. Moser, MSC, in Germany. This is a community of religious missionary women, and it continues to exist today in six countries ~ Germany, Austria, Siberia, Congo (RDC), Brazil and South Africa.

8 December, 1982

On the occasion of the centenary of her entrance into the novitiate and nomination as FDNSC Superior, the body of Mother Marie-Louise Hartzer is transferred to the Crypt in the Basilica in Issoudun.

9 December, 1954

Profession of the first Peruvian MSC Sisters in Lima, Peru.

11 December, 1978

Father Gaspar Garcia Laviana, of the MSC Spanish Province, is killed in Nicaragua.

17 December, 1853

E.S. Maugenest, 'co-founder' with Father Chevalier of the MSC Congregation, was ordained priest at Saint-Sulpice, Paris.

Maugenest left the MSC Congregation on 31 December, 1871, after being parish priest in St Cyr for 10 years.

He entered the novitiate of the Dominican Fathers and ended his days as a Dominican. He and Chevalier always remained good friends.

25 December, 1856

First (private) vows of Father Chevalier and Father Maugenest.

27 December, 1870

The birth of Alain G. de Boismenu in Saint-Malo, France. He was Vicar Apostolic of PNG from 1922-1946 and later Titular Archbishop. His cause has been put forward for beatification.

28 December, 1864

At four o'clock in the morning Father Victor Jouët arrived in Issoudun for the first time  and discovers the statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. "... I fall at the feet of your enchanting image,  and I stand up as your missionary for life.  In one second, what a grace!"

CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF PAUL STENHOUSE MSC

There was a memorial vigil and sharing of stories at Kensington Monastery.

The Requiem Mass was held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kensington,

many MSC Confreres, Paul’s brother, Richard, and his family, a church full of friends, celebrant Jim Littleton with homily, eulogy by Michael Fallon. Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP was present in the sanctuary and offered the commendation.

With thanks to the Catholic Weekly for the photos here.  For quite a tribute, go to the Catholic Weekly for description of the Mass and more photos:

https://www.catholicweekly.com.au/humble-intellectual-fr-paul-stenhouse-farewelled/

Some reflections and tributes.

From the Eulogy:  Michael Fallon MSC

Paul’s Mind – a tribute to his outstanding abilities.

In 1973 Paul received a B.A. (Hons.) from the University of Sydney majoring in Samaritan Studies and Arabic. He produced a critical edition and translation of the historical sections of the Samaritan Hebrew Hilukh, a purity code. In 1982 he received a Ph.D. from the University of Sydney for his Critical Edition of the Middle Arabic Text of the Samaritan Chronicle of Abu ’l-Fath. It is worth noting that before Paul could produce a commentary on the text, he had to translate it, and before he could translate he had to rediscover the dictionary and grammar for medieval Samaritan.  As a result Paul’s Ph.D. is three volumes, and took years to be examined, because he was the only person who knew this area in detail.

Paul was a foundation member of the Council of the Société d’Études Samaritaines within the Collège de France, Paris. He has delivered papers at Colloquia organised by the Société, held in Paris, Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Oxford, Venice, Helsinki, Budapest, Zurich and Tartu, Estonia. Paul wrote the article on ‘Samaritans’ for the Encyclopaedia of the Qur’ān, June 2002.

Paul was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Notre Dame, and also by the Catholic University. Paul has written and lectured extensively on Middle Eastern Politics and history. His special interest over the past forty years has been Lebanon/Syria, and the Balkans.

In 1988 he received an M.A. (Hons.) from the University of New England for a Literary Biography of John Farrell, Paul’s great-grandfather, a 19th Century Australian journalist and reformer. Scholarly Press Melbourne published Paul’s book on John Farrell last year, and his book on Islam, context and complexity this year. Paul worked generously and untiringly right to the end.

We thank God for the gift we have shared in knowing Paul. His intellect was amazing. His commitment to pursue truth, and to share what he discovered so honestly and thoroughly over the past 56 years since his ordination have been awe-inspiring. His respect for those who formed judgments that differed from his was admirable, but I don’t think it is too strong to say that he hated the all-pervasive laziness that claims that there is no such thing as truth, and that one opinion is as good as another. We may not agree with everything Paul said or wrote, but we have to admire his research displayed in the thoroughness in which he footnoted every statement.

Paul’s Heart – a tribute to his extensive pastoral outreach

I could go on forever speaking of his amazing mind. But he did have an even greater gift: his heart. I don’t know a hundredth of it, and I am sure everyone here this morning would have many stories to tell. I don’t know of anyone who experienced need and turned to Paul who did not experience his loving, practical and committed care. One example, which perhaps some of you had first hand experience of, was his care for international students, and migrants more generally. Paul would meet people at the airport, deliver them to appointments, find them accommodation, accompany them to immigration tribunals, badger university administrations – and any academic who he thought could help – on their behalf.  He also took on the role of reassuring anxious parents, worried about their children overseas. And finally of course he could marry them and baptize their children. Paul was, indeed, a Missionary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. It was from his faith in God as revealed in the heart of Jesus that Paul got his inspiration. I can hear Paul in something John Henry Newman, recently canonized wrote: ‘I do not care to overcome people’s reason without touching their hearts’ (A Grammar of Assent). Paul’s heart was as big as the world. In 1997 he was appointed Chairman of the Australian Office of the world-wide organization Aid to the Church in Need. We can appreciate Paul’s mind. It may not have been as apparent that his mind was guided, in ways that Paul himself may not have realized, by his sensitive heart. He agonized even to think that he might hurt someone or let someone down.

I would like now to quote from Pope Francis’s reflection at the close of the Year of Mercy: ‘Our life with its joys and sorrows is something unique and unrepeatable, that takes place under the merciful gaze of God. This demands, especially of priests, a careful, far-sighted spiritual discernment, so that everyone, none excluded, can feel accepted by God, participate actively in the community and be part of the People of God which journeys tirelessly towards the fullness of God’s kingdom of justice, love, forgiveness and mercy.’ Thank you, Paul, for showing this to us.

I conclude by returning to the Annals and giving the final word to dear Paul who writes in the final edition of the Annals, completed only a few days ago. I quote: ‘In a poem of Dame Mary Gilmore's 'By the Roadside', printed for the first time in Annals (December, 1926) we can find a crystallising of the aims of this most Australian of Catholic Magazines. Paul then quotes from the poem: ‘Wonder is dead, you say! /Wonder can never die/ Not while within a shining pool / A man can see the sky.’ Paul goes on: ‘It is as a shining pool reflecting the wonders of God and God’s creation that Annals should be remembered. Age could do little to mar the image that it reflects.’  It is somehow fitting that after almost 50 years as editor of Annals Paul managed to contribute to and edit the final addition of the magazine as he was dying.

At the Last Supper Jesus prayed: ‘Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am … May the love with which you loved me be with them, so that I too may be with them.’ Paul, you have known this love, and you have revealed it to us. Till we meet again dear friend in the mystery of God’s love, we bid you farewell and thank you for the gift and inspiration you have been to us all. Thank you for your love.

From the homily: Jim Littleton MSC

The scripture readings for this Requiem Mass have been chosen by Michael Fallon and myself. They are not customary readings for such a liturgy but I believe that they typify Paul in many ways. Let me begin with the opening phrase of the extract from the Letter to the Philippians: “There is no need to worry; but if there is anything you need, pray for it.”

In the production of the Annals and in his ministry to young Asian students Paul encountered many problems both institutional and financial.  Yet he had a trust in God that things would work out and they did. The Letter to the Philippians continues with the exhortation to “fill your minds with everything that is true, everything that is noble, everything that is good and pure”.

Paul Stenhouse knew much more about Middle Eastern religions and politics than the average journalist, he was a great searcher for the truth and proclaimed it fearlessly.  His erudition was quite remarkable, and I rarely argued with him on controversial issues, for I know that I would lose the argument.

The extract from the Letter to the Philippians concludes with the statement by St Paul that if his readers followed his exhortations the God of Peace would be with them.  By trying to do everything that was noble, good and pure, Paul Stenhouse would have experienced that peace, as in fact we all do when we try to live those ideals.  Certainly, there would have been great peace in Paul’s heart two weeks ago when he completed the last issue of the Annals.

This morning’s reading from the Gospel of St Mark begins with the phrase: “The apostles rejoined Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught”.  Jesus had commissioned them to go out in pairs to the villages in Galilee and proclaim his message.  It had been a busy time for them, but they were pleased with their efforts and amazed at the miracles that accompanied their work.

We chose this gospel reading because Paul Stenhouse also had a very busy life of ministry to people who sought assistance.  There was rarely a day when he was not out of the monastery involved in some sort of ministry while at the same time finding time to prepare another issue of the Annals.

The gospel story continues with the decision by Jesus to take the apostles to a quiet place where, in today’s parlance, they could have a debriefing session.  But the crowds followed them and we are told that Jesus “took pity on the crowds because they were like sheep without a shepherd and he set himself to teach them at some length”.  That compassionate attitude to people also typified Paul Stenhouse’s life.  He was always willing to respond to any sort of need, any request for help.

So today, we are celebrating the life of a remarkable Missionary of the Sacred Heart.  Not only was Paul extremely erudite but he used that gift to bring learning to other people.  At the same time, as Michael Fallon said, if anyone turned to Paul experiencing need they also experienced his loving, practical and committed care.

He was able to do this because his heart was filled with love for God, Jesus was central to his life.  He lived out in his own unique way a Spirituality of the Heart. 

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At Douglas Park before the burial, Peter Malone spoke of Paul’s creativity in the 1960s and 1970s with the Annals, ten years of topical Catechetical Supplements and Teachers’ Guides, the founding of Chevalier Press, the many books and booklets and Compass Theology Review. He also reminded us of the ‘ordinary’ Paul, visits to McDonald’s,  choice of action films over art-house – and (with thanks to Carl Jung) his decisive actions and achievements, of the energy he gained as a strong extrovert, from so many situations, from engaging with so many people, a man of intuitions and connections, a very personal face to the world.

At heart and in mind and action, he was also an old-style apologist, explaining and defending the faith, a love of the traditions and history of the Church.

OUR MSC WEBSITE MOVING FORWARD.

Well, at least, some initial steps towards developments for 2020.

On 28^th November, there was a website meeting and discussion at Treand House, Coogee.  We took the opportunity for some assessment of our content and layout.

Our site was set up in 2006 and was in action for 3 years. After a year in abeyance, the site was re-activated in 2010. The present site, home page, contents… came into being (preserving previous posts in the site archive) was set up in 2013.  Three years ago, we were able to open the site automatically to the Province Facebook page.  With improving technology, we are going to investigate further ways of communication like internet delivery.

The Photos were taken by Chris McPhee without warning.  Next photo is of Chris taking photos.

We will look at ways of developing the home page, types of greater visual dynamism and a simplification of our theme icons as well as adding some headings, including Lay MSC and featuring Professional Standards/Redress (both of which are present under Who We Are), more prominent, greater clarity and increased content. The information on Join Us has been re-written and updated.

We will simplify access to Current News and Justice Matters.

This is the gist of the discussions. There will be a next meeting in early 2020.

Present at the meeting were Provincial Superior, Chris McPhee, and Deputy, Steve Dives, Business Manager, Rene Balboa.  Also present were Alison McKenzie, Director of the Chevalier Institute, also representing Lay MSC worldwide, Brett Adamson, Chevalier Institute.  We also welcomed from IT Compass representatives of the server, Andy Su and designer, Sebastian. We were able to draw on some advice from Sister Philippa Murphy, incoming OLSH Provincial, Sister Carmel Butler, Media MSC Sisters Australia, and Fred Stubenrauch, Lay MSC Australia.

The meeting was chaired by site editor, Peter Malone.