VINCE CARROLL MSC: Report on South African Visit.

Mon 16^th Sept -Thurs 17^th Oct 2019

With first 1950s convert, Granny Mary.

I don’t particularly like talking about myself, but I feel I should tell you something of my 4 weeks in South Africa. I returned to my old place of work, which is an orphanage- a care centre for 70 kids. Everywhere I went I was given a great reception, and also there by those kids. Some had left as they reached the age of 18, some new ones had come. It’s a wonderful work and run by some wonderful people - about 5 or 6 overseas volunteers and maybe 30 local people. The kids come from all ages- there is a creche with about 20 kids in it, a boys and girls dorm. They go to local schools. There are more girls than boys. The place now has another chaplain, a local MSC priest who I got to know better. There is no slackening in SA  of the need for placement for Needy Children (Called orphans and Vulnerable Children -OVC’s). About one third of kids at Holy Family are HIV +.

Kids at Happy Family School

I attended 3 Sunday Liturgies there, which is led by the kids. I give them a blessing, provide the homily – which is much like the boarders at Downlands, and sing a song or two. My main contribution to the place this time was to buy and begin the planting of 34 native trees making several lovely avenues. At this stage 21 of the trees have been planted. I did that in the last 6 days. The kids were enjoying volleyball and soccer, as they usually do.

Fr Charles & Men Planting first Cape Chestnut.

Downlands contributed $4000 to this Care Center this year and I was able to give another $4,000 when I was there.  $4,000 is about 5% of their yearly budget.

My first 12 days were filled up with visiting 23 water projects that the MSC have done there- and inspecting the possibility of new ones. I did this with a man from MSC Missions Outreach, Sean Donovan. The MSC has provided about $300,000 to these projects over the last 5-6 years. As I had mapped that whole Diocese in 1998, it was easy for me to find all the places. We also had a day and a half in Kruger National park, and that’s always special. The main memory of this trip was seeing three prides of Lions- one with about 13 in it. They were at about 300 meters however- but the others very close.

I also did a small project for a Drop In centre for 120 kids about an hour and a half away from my home base. It took 3 days in the blazing heat 40C Plus). The women there daily feed the children - and are given by the government department only 90 cents a day for the meal per head. So they are trying to supplement that food with a garden. About 5-6 of us built a small, intense garden enclosure. Its only 7 meters by 5 but is goat proof with a grill roof – It cost about $1100. It took us three days. MSC Missions outreach had already provided them with a bore and they had excellent water.

Surprise, Peter & Julie (Peace Corps) with completed 7.1m x 5.2 goat proof Garden!!

The other places we visited had Gardens, Computer centres, Womens relief centres, more childrens Drop-In centres, schools etc etc.  In each place we assessed the need, and advised them on what they could do and also how to apply for funding. MSC Mission Outreach funds firstly water projects, then anything to do with helping disadvantaged kids or people living with Aids, and finally anything to do with formation/ education. We offered some priests the support of mass stipends they could apply for.

I met there 4 of my MSC priest friends and about 8 Daughters of our Lady of the Sacred Heart of Jesus sisters. They come from all over the world - but are mostly African now. We had a few lovey meals together.

Sr Rotee (Kiribati)/Sr Amarka (Nigeria) 

In case you think it was all work and no play: besides visiting Kruger park, I was able to play 6 or 7 games of 9 hole golf on some of my favourite courses. My challenger was a young man called Surprise who I gave a small set of clubs to. We played 2 games only, on courses where the hippos roam at night. He got better as we went along but did not beat me – maybe next time! We also took a one days walk up into a wild valley I know in the Drakenburg (Dragons) Mountains. That was especially for a new volunteer who is a mountaineer. Apart from knowing that country well- I am supposed to be the best Bar B Q cook, and used to run a large garden with 4 boys.

It was very satisfying for me to visit all those projects and meet again all those people and see how they were going. It was a very busy time, and thank God I remained healthy.  Thanks to Downlands for its assistance.

      
MISSIONARIES OF THE SACRED HEART, AUSTRALIA, PARTICIPATING IN THE NATIONAL REDRESS SCHEME.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart is now a participating institution under the National Redress Scheme after being declared by the Minister for Social Services on 23^rd October, 2019  https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019N00079

A person may apply to the National Redress Scheme if:

• You experienced sexual abuse as a child (under 18 years of age)
• The abuse happened before 1 July 2018
• The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart was responsible for bringing you into contact with the person who abused you
• You were born before 30 June 2010; and,
• You are an Australian citizen or permanent resident

You can search for the specific sites where the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have provided services in the past, and currently, at www.nationalredress.gov.au/institutions/search.

The National Redress Scheme provides an independent pathway for survivors of institutional abuse to seek acknowledgment of what they have endured and to receive counselling, monetary payment as well as a personal approach if they choose.

Under the rules of the National Redress Scheme any application must be lodged directly with the Scheme itself.

Information about the National Redress Scheme, how to make an application and the support services available can be found on their website www.nationalredress.gov.au or by calling the hotline 1800 737 177.

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart will continue to provide support and assistance to those who do not wish to use the National Redress Scheme.

The Professional Standards & Safeguarding Office can be contacted either by phoning 02 9665 8999 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

That such events ever occurred is a matter of deep sorrow and profound regret and our apology to those who have suffered as a result is a matter of public record.

Yours sincerely,

Chris R McPhee msc – Provincial – Missiobaries of the Sacred Heart Australia.

Ms. Meta Jackman- Senior Adviser Professional Standards and Safeguarding.

 We are adding the Apology made by the MSC in October 2018.

 An Open Letter from the Provincial of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart – Australia

This Monday, 22 October 2018, the Prime Minister and the Parliament will offer a formal National Apology to people who have been harmed and affected by the tragedy, grief and horror of institutional child sexual abuse.

On behalf of the Province, and with contrition, I say sorry to every person who was harmed – actually or vicariously – by any person formally associated with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

To the people who sought and were entitled to safety in our care, yet found danger and neglect, I say sorry.

To those who have lost their faith as a result of the behaviour of one of our members, I say sorry.

To the people who have spent many years blaming themselves for the despicable actions of one of our men, I say sorry.  

I say sorry because we did not take the responsibility when it was our duty to do so.

We now live in a post-Royal Commission Australia. We, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, thank the Commission for its diligence and determination.  The Commission’s findings have shone a welcomed and necessary light on us. Through this tragedy our awareness, our understanding and our compassion challenges all of us to a commitment that this tragedy may never recur.

As a Missionary of the Sacred Heart and leader of this Province, I am personally saddened and ashamed of our past history with regard to this issue, and of the failure of the Institutional Church to which I have dedicated my life.

I hereby commit to ensure that the human and systemic failures of the past that have enabled child sexual abuse in our Province to occur, are resolved; permanently and irreversibly.  I am determined the Province will learn from its past and use that learning to be a leading exponent of child-safe practice across our Province, becoming the safe institution we were commissioned to be, and always should be: To be men whose mission is to be on earth the Heart of God.

Humbly yours, in His Heart,

Chris R McPhee msc

Provincial - MSC Australia

Friday, 19 October 2018

Eileen O’Connor takes next step to sainthood.

Eileen O’Connor (Our Lady’s Nurses for the Poor)

Many visitors to this site may not be aware of Eileen O’Connor and developments in her cause for canonisation.  The archdiocese of Sydney issued this statement.

 Mention is made of her co-founding her congregation.  The co-founder was Fr Ted McGrath MSC – not without some criticism at the time, especially from the Australian MSC Province.  Fr McGrath was out of the country for over 30 years, chaplain in World War I, working in other provinces, eventually vindicated, considered a man of great esteem.

Fr McGrath with the sisters in his old age.

The process for Australia’s next saint has taken another step forward for Sydney woman and Servant of God Eileen O’Connor, with a formal call for testimony to support her cause for canonisation. Source: Sydney Archdiocese.

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has issued an edict, requesting anyone who has “useful information” to come forward to assist Church authorities in Rome to consider her cause.

Portrait of Eileen

“I call upon any and all of the Faithful of this Archdiocese of Sydney, who may have useful information regarding the Servant of God, to bring such documents, materials or information to my attention,” writes Archbishop Fisher in the edict.

It comes after the Archbishop last year appointed Rome-based priest Fr Anthony Robbie as postulator – the person who guides the cause for beatification or canonisation through the church’s rigorous processes for recognising a person as a saint.

Fr Robbie is now asking Archbishop Fisher to seek through the people of Sydney further information on Ms O’Connor’s “life, virtues and reputation of holiness” which he will collate and present to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Born in Melbourne in 1892, Ms O’Connor became a Servant of God in August 2018, the first of four steps towards sainthood. She is revered for having co-founded Our Lady’s Nurses of the Poor, a religious order committed to visiting the sick in their homes and nursing the frail and the elderly, based in Coogee.

Photo of Eileen.

Ms O’Connor was 28 when she died, in 1921, after spending most of her life confined to a wheelchair because of a debilitating condition known as tuberculosis osteomyelitis.

Broken Bay Bishop-elect Anthony Randazzo, who as a canon lawyer was tasked in the early stages of investigating Ms O’Connor’s cause, said the latest news was a major breakthrough.

“Eileen becomes for us a symbol of hope in our time when so many issues where the life and dignity of the human person are under question,” he said.

Writer and historian Jocelyn Hedley, who co-authored a biography of Ms O’Connor, praised her as an ongoing inspiration in modern times.

“Eileen – a champion of the unborn and weak – stands completely counter to our society which says people like her should not exist,” Dr Hedley said.

A FORTUNATE LIFE, OLSH RANDWICK, PAST AND PRESENT, ANITA MURRAY CSB

Brigidine Nun for 67 years, Sister Anita Murray looks back on her life.

This is not only a personal story of a Brigidine Sister, but offers some glimpses into parish life in Randwick of the past.

I was born in a house in Coogee Bay Rd, a very small Maternity Hospital, Boonara, run by Nance Moran. I was the fourth child of Elizabeth and Edmund Murray, sister to Paul, Moya and Desmond. We lived in Arthur Street, in a house which holds for me the happiest of memories. All four children were baptised at OLSH, made our First Communion there, Moya and Desmond both had their Nuptial Masses there and years later Requiem Masses for each of my parents were held there celebrated by Paul who had become Father Campion Murray ofm.

All Murray children began their education at OLSH School. Memories of the many priests who worked in the parish come back including Fathers Power, Bourke, Dando, Sheedy, Drohan, Reid, and English. Sunday Masses were always crowded often with people standing at the back. On alternating Sundays, there were Masses for: Holy Angels (red cloaks), Children of Mary (blue cloaks), Sacred Heart Sodality (women), and Holy Name Sodality (men). The latter two may have worn some distinguishing badge but it obviously didn’t register with me.

One thing I do remember was the terrible shock we received one Sunday to find the beautiful Great Eastern Window covered with something that looked like grey cardboard. In fact the window had been removed as a war time security measure and taken to Douglas Park and returned towards the end of the war.

I went with several friends to Brigidine College for secondary education. We knew a little bit about it through taking part in the annual Corpus Christi procession when we walked around the garden paths all decorated with poinsettia flowers. Brigidine College seemed a huge place compared to the ‘under the church’ classrooms at Sacred Heart! I soon got used to things there and enjoyed my time  with new subjects, new friends and new teachers. I knew the Brigidine Sisters from those who had taught at Sacred Heart and I was now old enough to appreciate their friendliness, kindness and general interest in our welfare. It made a deep impression on me.

Being at a school with boarders, many from the country and sharing a classroom with them was a new experience. These students often greatly missed their families and home environment. The College kept up a long tradition of being an important member of the Parish. We often seemed to be walking in long files down to the Church for Benediction or Mass often shared with Marcellin boys. If you were a member of a tennis or netball (then called basketball!) team, Saturdays were spent playing at other Catholic Schools, getting to know students from other schools - all part of a growing awareness of life stretching before us with big decisions to be made.

After leaving school we all went our separate ways. Many friendships formed have stood the test of time. I spent the first year after leaving school at home and by the end of it I had made up my mind that what I wanted was to enter the Brigidine Order. I was not particularly religious, but I was interested in teaching and I had some rather vague ideas about a life of service. I was really impressed by the motto of the Brigidines: Fortiter et Suaviter, Strength & Gentleness.

 After some years of Novitiate, then run on very traditional and old-fashioned lines, I began a lifetime of study and teaching. I taught at various Brigidine schools: Indooroopilly and Scarborough in Qld, and Coonamble in country  NSW where I had my first experience of teaching boys and girls together. Two schools where I taught for longer periods and which hold special memories for me were Brigidine College St Ives and Merici College Canberra staffed by Sisters from six different Religious Orders. I found the interaction with other Orders stimulating and enriching and I made many friends there. I was Principal at Brigidine St Ives for many years and it was a great experience to help guide the school through its developing years.

My life has come full circle and I am now living again in Randwick, in the street in which I was born! What a different world! We live now in a very challenging time of a church mired in scandal, in a world filled with displaced and suffering people and with the very future of our planet threatened. I feel gratitude for all the OLSH Parish has meant to me, my family and to so many people. I admire greatly its vibrant parish life which survives, adapts, and flourishes despite the many challenges in today’s world and in the Church itself.

With thanks to the editors of the OLSH Randwick parish bulletin.

MSC MUSIC MINISTRY, AUSTRALIA

Yesterday our site post highlighted promoting MSC in Australia – and so, today, we feature our confreres who have contributed to the music ministry, especially in Liturgy.

If you continue reading below, you will find photos of those involved as well as a tribute to past confreres who were composers or lyricists or both.

Our composers in recent decades:

Frank Andersen.

Paul McCormick

Gerard McCormick

James Maher (RIP, 2015)

And acknowledging past composers:

James Roulier, died 1928, hymns to the Sacred Heart

John J. McMahon, died 1998, an Ametur and hymns to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

John Northey, died 1970, lyrics for Oh Mary, Mother of God’s Dear Son

Malcolm Fyfe, mass settings, at present Vicar General, Darwin Diocese

Tom Luby, died 1979, noted for his polyphonic Ametur and, well worth tracking down, his hymn to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Woman, This is Your Son

PROMOTING THE MISSIONARIES OF THE SACRED HEART

As we commemorated the death of Jules Chevalier yesterday, we acknowledged his mission outreach.  Nowadays some of the provinces are experiencing decline in numbers while others welcome increasing numbers.

The question arises: how do we promote the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart and their various ministries of Heart Spirituality?  And for Australia?

In the Philippines, they have produced a series of posters – but the important thing is that they feature particular individuals, highlight their ministries, highlight the credibility of responding to God’s call.

We include four of the posters.

Frt. Carl Philip, MSC now serves in rural communities of San Luis, Agusan del Sur for his Pastoral Formation Year. He joins the communities in their celebration of the Liturgy of the Word. He also facilitates formation programs for the youth and altar servers.

Frt. Ace Yu, MSC now serves in the Parish of St. Thomas Aquinas in Abucay, Bataan. The parish is also home to an Aeta Community. Heeding the call of Pope Francis to go to the peripheries, the parish has organized the "Katolikong Magkakapit-bahay", whereby the parish community visits houses of those who are far from the parish church to hold prayers and whereby some sacraments can also be ministered.

Frt. Jyrnell Salino, MSC now serves in the Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands for his Pastoral Formation Year. The image was taken before Mass presided by another Filipino MSC: Fr. Lando Cuasito, MSC.

Fr. Rey Tibon has been a missionary to Japan for more than two decades. He is currently the Parish Priest of a rural parish in the Diocese of Nagoya which has been a home to a minority Japanese Catholic population and immigrants from Brazil, the Philippines, Viet Nam, and Peru.

The MSCs in Japan, who have come from Australia, the Philippines, India, and Indonesia, have been engaged in the following ministries: administration of parishes, teaching at universities, and working for immigrants' welfare among many others.

JULES CHEVALIER DAY, 21^st OCTOBER, 112^th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH.

With thanks to Liz Taylor OLSH who prepared this outline for the gathering of the Melbourne Chevalier Family commemorative gathering.

An invitation to spend some moments reflecting on just some of the life events of the man whose life has touched the lives of thousands in over 50 countries of the world. An invitation to imagine Jules’ feelings  as you look at some of his experiences.

In the Richelieu church, 14 year-old Jules Chevalier is struck deeply by a mission sermon: ”What a beautiful vocation is that a missionary”…

At the age of 17, Jules enters the seminary after a long, wait… then after only 2 weeks, he found himself in the grip of chronic boredom and profound rejection..

 In 1854, Jules is appointed to Issoudun… the heart of France, the place he longed to bring back to God and from there to have God’s love go forth into the world ..

In 1858 the Archbishop of Bourges gave Jules just 24 hrs notice to close the little chapel of the Sacred Heart at Issoudun because of its alleged danger of collapse.

Fr Chevalier told St Joseph: ‘the damage is on your side, it is up to you to fix it’.

 On March 25th, 1859, construction began on the Basilica in Issoudun…

Jules’ joy in the coronation of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Issoudun on September 8th, 1869 amid thousands of pilgrims.

In 1972, France is consecrated to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

In 1880 The MSC community is expelled from Issoudun and the doors of the Basilica are sealed.

 In 1881, Father Chevalier accepts the mission in the Apostolic Vicariate of Melanesia and Micronesia…

In 1890 the laity, particularly the associates and pilgrims, storm the municipal buildings and the Basilica seals are re-opened.

 On March 25, 1900, Fr Chevalier commissions Fr Hubert Linckens, to establish a congregation of Sisters at Hiltrup, who would share his charism and spirituality.. initially for the new German colony in Melanesia ..

The French Government (1901) confiscates all Church property … the Basilica is again, closed, sealed and eventually sold.

At this time Fr Chevalier is engaged in at least 5 or 6 lawsuits against the municipal council of Issoudun… over church property ..

In 1907 the Basilica is bought back by M. de Bonneval and re-opened shortly before Chevalier’s death.

On January 21, 1907, Fr. Chevalier is expelled from the presbytery and taken to the home of a parishioner … he never returns to St Cyr but has the consolation of knowing he will be buried in the crypt of the Basilica, directly under the statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

MSC, 90 YEARS IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA, CELEBRATIONS IN ALICE SPRINGS.

The celebrants for the day wearing stoles painted for the occasion by Delores Furber, Kathleen Wallace and Therese Ryder.  Among those present as concelebrants was Rev Chris McPhee, MSC, Provincial, Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. 

Fr Raess SVD, parish priest of Alice Springs writes:

Yes, it went really well. Fr Chris MSC and 600 plus were there for the Golden Jubilee of the Church building and 90 Years of sacramental life in  Central Australia. Of couse, the unveiling of the MSC and OLSH Sisters Memorial Window was the highlight. Here is the story picked up by the ABC.

I wanted to remember all the MSCs and OLSH Sisters who worked tirelessly to establish OLSH Parish since 1929. We the Divine Word Missionaries simply wanted to honour all of them and keep the spirit and love of the Sacred Heart alive in the hearts of all.

Raess

Here is an explanation of the new window which was unveiled at a separate ceremony on October 12^th

 Kathleen Wallace the artist of the stained glass window presenting the painting (that the window was based on) to the parish, being accepted by the Parish Priest Fr Asaeli Raass and Mr Manfred Casseeram, President of the Parish Council.

URTAKWERTE ATYWERRENGE ANTHERRE

God the Father created the world for us to live in, for all the people. God created all human beings.

We Arrernte people called him AKNENENTYE. He said his name in our language, His name means "Always been and always will be,” God spoke to the ancestors through dreams. He taught them to live a good life, sharing everything they were given from the land.

AKNENENTYE left footprints for us to follow, we followed the light.

AKNENETYE, gave us 8 skin names, he showed this to our ancestors through

ALTYERENGE, dreams. Our ancestors were given the ANPERNIRRRENTYE, skin names as our commandments for how to live a good life, which we still use today. They told how to do things like caring for one another, how to grow up the young men, and tell stories to pass on the culture.

The mother and child are surrounded by designs showing 8 skin names.From the bottom left, going clockwise, they are

Perrurle, Kngwarraye, Penangke, Angale, Peltharre, Ampetyane, Kemarre, Pengarte.

AKNENETYE was there in the beginning. He breathed his spirit into us. Our ancestors passed down the knowledge of the spirit but they had to work out what it meant. My grandfather, through his ancestors was given a dream of three circles. The circles are

ARENGE, AKNEYE, and UTNENGE grandfather, father and totem spirit. I realized later when the Sisters of the Sacred Heart read to us from the bible, it was like the trinity father our creator, son and the holy spirit.

My other grandfather had a design of one big circle, which is liken the earth for everyone to live in. I was given permission to use these designs.…… they are at the top of the window and behind the cross.

The many dots represent everything in the world. You see all those colours on the land, brown for the rocks, green are plants and seeds, it shows the tiniest little seed the food we get from the land. The land is our mother. The land is like Mother Mary. She gives us many things.

The tracks lead to the middle where Our Lady of Sacred Heart and the child Jesus wait for us. Mother Mary is holding Jesus heart because she loves him and he loves all people and she also loves us all. Her heart is full of love and so is the Heart of Jesus.

URTAKWERTE ATYWERRENGE ANTHERRE

Jesus was given for everyone Aboriginal people included. I painted Mother Mary and Jesus as Arrernte. Mother Mary and Jesus are painted up in the way we used to do for ceremonies. All the people joined together singing and dancing for celebration night after night. These were happy times and important events. Men and women and children took part. This painting is about celebration, it is praising God, AKNENENTYE

Mother Mary had the Holy Spirit in her so she knew one day her son would die to save the people of the world . Later, when he was dying on the cross Jesus gave Mary to all people.

Mother Mary was standing under the cross when Jesus gave her to everyone. She is now everyone's mother.

They are standing on a sandhill, on the earth. Jesus hands are open to give light to the world. The light is there for people to follow.”

CHEVALIER COLLEGE STUDENT, DARCY HOWARD, ORDER OF AUSTRALIA/YOUTH AWARD.

 It was a very proud day for the Howard family and Chevalier College Principal Chris McDermott on Friday 20 September when the group attended a very special presentation at NSW Government House in Sydney.

Year 12 student Darcy Howard (from the Class of 2019) was chosen by the judging panel of eminent persons as one of 25 winners of the 2019 John Lincoln Youth Community Service Awards for outstanding service or engagement with the community. Darcy received his trophy and certificate of commendation from the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley AO QC.

From a farming family, the 2019 Chevalier College Vice Captain and Leader of Clancy House is a talented agriculture student who loved being on the Show Cattle team at Chev, winning many ribbons and awards, including the prestigious Norman Lethbridge Award for Contributions to Agriculture.

Principal Chris McDermott said Darcy was a wonderful nominee for the award who admirably met the criteria for candidacy by being an exemplary role model who worked tirelessly on behalf of agricultural, sporting and aged care communities on different projects that made a positive difference to people’s lives.

At the recent Year 12 Academic Awards at Chev, Darcy received the Father Terry Herbert Award for Significant Contribution to College Life.

Darcy also gained recognition and media acclaim in 2018 with his poem Little Buster which highlighted the plight of farmers deep in drought and the tragic consequences on their mental health.

About his latest award, Darcy said that it was such an honour and he felt really humbled to be included in the company of student recipients who, he said, “were so remarkable in their achievements, including a former Nobel prize winner!”

“… I hope that it somehow inspires other young
people to do whatever they’re passionate about.”

Darcy Howard (front row right) with fellow recipients of the Order of Australia Youth Award, 2019.

Positively beaming with pride he recalled, “When I was younger I never thought I could do anything special, but this proves anyone can. I never set out to win awards and all the attention has been a whirlwind, but I hope that it somehow inspires other young people to do whatever they’re passionate about.”

Beyond the looming HSC exams, Darcy can’t wait to spend his days helping out on his grandmother’s farm in Cowra, and getting into some further studies towards his lifelong ambition of working as a Stock and Station Agent. 

Howard twins selected to Australian Schoolboys Rugby League team,

All on staff and the community at Chevalier College congratulate Darcy and wish him all the very best for his future.

90 YEARS MSC IN CENTRAL AUSTRALIA  -  HISTORY OF THE CHURCH IN ALICE SPRINGS

Last weekend there was a celebration in Alice Springs to commemorate 90 years of MSC presence in Central Australia.

Fr James Long MSC

Here is an abbreviated history (yet still quite long) from the OLSH Alice Springs website.  It may be too long to read for some, but it is worth a skip read and is here for the record

We will have something later on the celebrations in Alice Springs.

 ALICE SPRINGS

Prior to 1929 the people of ‘Stuart’ were administered to by Father Clunes MSC who came up from Port Augusta, South Australia before the appointment of a resident priest.  

1929 Father James Long MSC was appointed resident priest of Alice Springs, or Stuart as it was then called, In May 1929.  He was given the commission of setting up the Catholic Bush Mission.  

Negotiations for land in Stuart commenced in April and on 1 July the Church was given title over Lots 53 and 54 in Hartley Street.  It was decided that concrete bricks be used for the building of the church and these were made by Father Long, Stan Cawood and an Aborigine (name unknown).

Building commenced 9 June.  The site was marked out by Joseph Kilgariff and the foundations dug.  Most of the work was done voluntarily with the brick-laying done by John Kilgariff and the plastering by Arthur Long. The first Mass took place on Sunday 8 December even though the church was not yet completed; there were 50 people present.

1930 The first baptism in the new church took place on 15 May 1930.

The first Church of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Alice Springs was solemnly blessed and opened by his Lordship the Bishop of Port Augusta (Right Rev. Dr. Killian), on Sunday, 15 June.

1935 Father Long departed Alice Springs and was succeeded in January by Father Patrick J. Moloney who was to establish a mission for Aboriginal people of East Arrernte.  

Fr Moloney and Frank McGarry

Frank McGarry arrived in Alice Springs in March 1935 to work with Father Moloney as a layman. The “Little Flower Mission”, as it was called, was established in the back yard of the presbytery. Frank McGarry has been referred to as “Australia’s Greatest Missionary”.

1936 The Northern Territory Administrator offered Father Moloney a tract of land outside the town where a water supply was located on the northern bank of Charles Creek.  425 acres (172 ha) was granted in December 1936. The mission moved there the following year. A school/church was built and a kitchen and laundry was built to the east.

In October of the same year Brother Edward Bennett MSC at 22 years of age was appointed to the Little Flower Mission.  He arrived in Alice Springs in December along with Father Wilfred Dew who was to relieve Father Moloney while he took a break for a month.  Father Dew later moved to Tennant Creek.

1938 On 5 February three OLSH Sisters arrived in Alice Springs from Kensington, NewSouth Wales.  Sister Germaine Cawood, daughter of the Government Administrator, Sister Columbanus Baker and Sister Stephanie McNally.  When the sisters arrived they were placed in quarantine for nearly three weeks as they had passed through polio infected areas. On 28 February Father George Henschke arrived from Sydney and on the same day the OLSH Sisters opened the Catholic school with 25 children attending. This first “Convent” school was built by Steve Kilgariff, Gordon Lines and Brother Ed Bennett.

Father Moloney, Br Ed Bennett and Frank McGarry vacated the presbytery (they took up residency in a two roomed stone cottage) so the nuns could use it as a convent.  Three more sisters arrived 12 April 1: Mother Adrian Smith, Sister Gemma McCullagh and Sister Consolata McKay.

1939 Construction of a new school began on Lot 32 in Bath Street in 1939.  18 March Father Henry V. Eather and Mother Josepha and Sister Kevin arrived: Father Eather replaced Father Moloney.  

Later in the year construction of a new presbytery began on Lot 53 in Hartley Street.

1940 The school was completed in time for the 1940 school year and consisted of two classrooms and a verandah.  The new presbytery was completed at about the same time.

In mid-1940, Lot 55 in Hartley Street was transferred to the Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.  

1942 A new convent was built on Lot 55.  The old convent was renovated and became the boarding house for the school.  

Father Eather received word the Mission must move out to Arltunga, sixty-eight miles from Alice Springs. Once a suitable area was found the Bishop applied for a Mission Lease at Arltunga and a reserve of 86 square miles was approved. The greatest worry in this area was water supply.

In September a convoy of Military trucks arrived at Arltunga carrying all from the Alice Springs Mission. Later they moved to Cross Roads Well six miles from Arltunga.

1943 A recreation hall was built on Lot 30.  With troops arriving in the town the church and other facilities could not cope with the numbers.  The hall was used for Mass on Sundays as well as for recreation.

1950 Bishop J.P O’Loughlin applied for a grant of land for a new mission site. 

1952 – 53  The Catholic Church was given the rights to approximately 500 square miles at the junction of Todd and Phillipson Rivers fifty-six miles south-east  Alice Springs and the Arltunga Mission was moved to what became known as Santa Teresa on 30 June. 

Name change from Little Flower Mission to Santa Teresa was made by Bishop O’Loughlin. 

Acknowledging the OLSH Sisters, Sisters Stephanie, Germaine, Columbanus, with Fr Moloney, Frank McGarry and Fr Wilfred Dew MSC

1964/5 Bishop O’Loughlin requested a Missionary of the Sacred Heart Priest, Father Dwyer, be transferred to Alice Springs from Papua New Guinea to undertake this project. Church building was not new to this priest – he had already built two churches in New Guinea although they were small compared to the one required for the larger Alice Springs Parish.

 Father Dwyer MSC commenced preparation for the present Church.

Father Jim Dwyer MSC came to the Alice Springs Parish in 1963.   He proceeded to fundraise, with his church committee, for a new church on Lot 56. His drive was amazing – he established a lottery office in the original presbytery building which was in the middle of the school grounds and fundraising went Australia wide.  Construction of a new church was underway on Lot 56 in late 1967.  

Local businessman Les Loy once said, “Thank goodness he is not in business in opposition to us or we would all be broke.” Andrew McPhee was appointed by Father Dwyer and the building committee as Architect of the Catholic Church Alice Springs. Andrew noted that all the local builders were experts in concrete work and therefore he specialised in ‘off-form concrete’, a very suitable building method for the desert.

Paul and Peter Sitzler had formed a building company, Sitzler Brothers, and they were selected to build the church.  Peter and Paul were tenacious, hardworking, talented young men. Father Dwyer had been preparing for the construction of his church since his arrival. A quarry site in the Ooraminna Range, thirty miles south of the town, was selected and leased and a good stock of Central Australian red sandstone was being prepared.  Under the leadership of Parish Priest Father Jim Dwyer, the preparation for the new Church was a labour of love by parishioners who gave of their time outside their normal work and business commitments, to attend building meetings with Father Dwyer and weekends to drive south of Alice Springs in their utilities to collect the beautiful sandstone. Many townspeople loaned valuable equipment.  “1400 square yards of facing stone was required”. At times six trucks with volunteers brought in 100 tons of stone in one day.

The cutting and fashioning of the stone was done in Alice Springs on borrowed land with borrowed saws and equipment. Santa Teresa Aboriginal workers continued this work after the departure of the lay workers.  Hundreds of hours were spent by lay workers John Sullivan, Roger Vaughan and parishioners all on a volunteer basis quarrying the beautiful Ooraminna sandstone.

Father Dwyer was good at helping with the ergonomics of the design of the pews, kneeling ledge and confessionals.  The pews made of Queensland maple, imported directly from Queensland. The Crucifix was also machined up by Greg. It is made from Desert Oak that came from Santa Teresa. The Japanese floor tiles were imported directly from Japan. 

Lindsay Johansen was also commissioned (for the cost of materials) to construct the beautiful stained glass window on the eastern wall of the Baptismal alcove.

A small group of men were responsible for the unique stone Altar.  A huge piece of rock had been discovered at the base of Mount Connor on Curtin Springs Station and seen to the south from the Ayer’s Rock road.  Loading and bringing it into Alice Springs was a mammoth task. Paul Delahunty, with helper Brendan Heenan, accepted the task of cutting off the two ends which were used to support the larger piece whose top surface was smoothly cut.  This rock was extremely hard and many saw blades were used (Mrs Delahunty told Bishop O’Loughlin that he would need to bless the altar well as it was cursed many times during the cutting).

The Bell Tower.  Father Dwyer’s instructions were that the cross on top of the Tower had to be at least twelve inches higher than the highest part of Uncles Hotel at the time, local stories are told of a friendly rivalry between Lye Underdown and Father Dwyer. 

Father Dwyer had leukemia for many years. He died the 19th March 1969 but was able to say Christmas Mass in 1968 in the new Church before it was completely finished.

1969  Solemn Consecration of the Catholic Church to Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and Altar to the Holy Spirit by His Lordship JP O’Loughlin, Bishop of Darwin NT on 7th May and was officially opened by Cardinal Gilroy on the 11th May.

Award for Enduring Architecture (NT)   Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

1974  Decision was made to complete the wall behind the altar in the church as planned by Architect Andrew McPhee.

1977  The official opening took place of the St Vincent de Paul Society Alice Springs Youth and Community Centre.   

March 20th. FMM Convent at Gillen opened by Bishop O’Loughlin with open air Mass.

1979 The Marist Brothers established a foundation in Alice Springs at the invitation of Parish Priest, Father Adrian Meaney, although they had been investigating the need for their presence in Alice Springs since the early 1970’s.

1980 On May 4. Resolution of Diocesan Education Council re Catholic High School. “That the Diocesan Education Council inform Father Meaney and the Catholic people of Alice Springs that it supports in principle the establishment of a Junior Secondary School in Alice Springs.

1983 Alice Springs Catholic High School commenced classes in the John Paul Hostel, the old church and the convent, until the building was ready at Sadadeen, on 23 July 1984 from Year 7 to Year 10.  Brother Des Hornsby was Founding Principal and Sister Margaret Kennedy OLSH, Deputy Principal.

1986  Ngkarte Mikwekenhe “Mother of God” Community was established in preparation for the papal visit to Alice Springs, the Catholic Arrernte community, with representatives from different family groups, met regularly throughout 1986.  The visit of the Pope and the commitment of this group coming together lay the foundations for the Ngkarte Mikwekenhe Community. 

Visit of Pope John Paul II – 29 November 1986

November 29, 1986 Pope John Paul ll visited Alice Springs and delivered his speech to the Indigenous people of Australia.  Pope John Paul reaffirmed the unique importance of the Indigenous people of Australia, and proclaimed that God’s Holy Spirit had been with them from the very beginning of their existence. “For thousands of years,” he said, “you have lived in this land and fashioned a culture that endures to this day. And during all this time, the spirit of God has been with you. “Your ‘Dreaming’ which influences your lives so strongly that, no matter what happens, you remain forever people of your culture, is your own way of touching the mystery of God’s Spirit in you and in creation.”

A mural by Wenten Rubuntja depicting the Caterpillar Dreaming and the mountain gaps around Alice Springs took pride of place behind the Pope on the stage/altar.  The painting hangs in the alcove in our Church.

A clay Coolamon was used by the Pope to dip a branch into and bless the people present during his visit.  The clay Coolamon is still used on occasions in the OLSH Church.

1990  The Arrernte Catholic community decided to incorporate their group as a non-profit organization and become formally known as Ngkarte Mikwekenhe “Mother of God” community.   They work to share their faith and to care for one another and to participate actively in decision-making within the Catholic community.

1997  OLSH Primary School and Catholic High School became one College under the direction of the Marist Brothers. Br Paul Gilchrist was the Founding Principal of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College.

2007  3 June Farewell Mass for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

The Divine Word Missionaries answered a call from the Bishop of Darwin to live, work and minister with the communities of Central Australia. This includes in a special way the indigenous peoples of Central Australia, as well as the people of many different cultures and backgrounds who have settled in Alice Springs and surrounds.