News 2017
CHRISTMAS GREETINGS
‘I bring you news of great joy’ Luke 2, 10
In celebrating the birth of Jesus, at Christmas or at any time, we appreciate God’s love for us. God sends a loving Son not only to be part of our world but also to be one of us, sharing and experiencing every aspect of our lives with us.
May your Christmas be filled with happiness
and blessed with joy!
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ADVENT GATHERING 2nd December 2107
Heralding the beginning of the Advent season we gathered today, sitting, together in silence – as a gift to each other and to the world – growing out of our faith: that all is God’s work and ‘he is working all the time.’ An hour of silent prayer.
CONGRATULATIONS KHOI NGUYEN, MSC, on your Ordination to Diaconate!
A number of us joined Khoi, his family and friends, the MSC Community and parishioners at St Thomas the Apostle parish church, Blackburn on this joyous occasion.
Ordination by Bishop Terry Curtain,
one of the Auxiliary Bishops of Melbourne.
Fr Jules Chevalier –
110th Anniversary 21 October 2017
‘One can say that a spirituality is formed. The whole process is like that of kindling a fire. The spark, or the flame, is the energising and characteristic element.
But it is not lit in a vacuum; it is applied to materials already gathered and built up. Once it comes alight the flame creeps back, transforming and diffusing its light and energy over the whole.
The transforming spark came into Fr Chevalier’s life with his discovery of devotion to the Sacred Heart. As he got to see the length and breadth of the redemptive love of the Father revealed in Christ, the Person of Christ (seen through the evocative biblical symbol of the heart) dominated his vision in a new way.
For he saw it as the call to let Christ love through his human heart, and to work, and live and pray that others might see how God loved the world.’
Jules Chevalier Man with a Mission 1824 – 1907 by E. J. Cuskelly, MSC:
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5 October, 1922
Father Hubert Linckens, MSC, first Provincial Superior of Germany (1897-1910) and historical founder of the MSC Sisters, dies in Hiltrup, Germany. Fr Linckens guided the MSC Sisters until 1911 at which time he became the first General Assistant of the MSC in Rome, and in this capacity lived in Australia from 1914-1920. Because World War I, he couldn’t return to Italy and therefore stayed in Australia, during which time he helped in the up-building and promotion of the Australian Province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. May he rest in peace.
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60th Jubilee of Religious Profession!
Congratulations!
Sr Anneliese Reinhard, Sr Patricia Kinlyside
“From his fullness we have all received – grace upon grace….” John 1: 16
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12 August 2017
Congratulations to Sr Patricia Carty on her 70th Jubilee of Religious Profession!
Sr Paula Kowok MSC shared her experience and learnings of her course at Marymount, Sydney before returning to Papua New Guinea. Sr Paula is pictured with Sr Mary Drum, Provincial.
WE REMEMBER
13 August, 1904
The Baining Martyrs: Father M. Rascher, together with three MSC confreres, a Trappist Brother, five MSC Sisters and seven Catholic Bainings, are killed in the Baining Mountains, East New Britain, PNG. MSC Sisters were Srs Anna, Agatha, Sophia, Angela, Agnes, all in their twenties. The Baining Martyrs have provided early inspiration for mission service in PNG.
15 August 1945
MSC Sisters in PNG are released from Ramale Camp, New Britain.
5 August, 1982
MSC Sisters open a Novitiate in Bangalore, India.
3 August, 1899
First community of MSC Sisters is established in Hiltrup, Germany: two Sisters of Divine Providence and one MSC candidate. Sister Servatia, one of the Divine Providence Sisters, is appointed first Superior General of the MSC Sisters, Hiltrup.
3 May 2017
Journeying alone from USA Mother Liboria Loeper MSC arrived in Sydney and was met at the wharf by Srs Philomena and Domenica who were in Sydney for medical treatment from the mission in New Guinea (now PNG). That was 1928. Mother Liboria continued on to Melbourne and soon met up with five other sisters from Germany. So began our MSC Sisters Foundation in Australia. Today we begin our time of reflection and thanksgiving, journeying towards our 90th Anniversary on 3 May 2018.
Mother Liboria Loeper, MSC
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EASTER 16 APRIL
The Lord is risen, Alleluia, Alleluia!
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5 February 1900
Canonical Erection of the Congregation of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and approbation of the Statutes (for five years).
2 February 2017 Pope Francis celebrates World Day of Consecrated Life:
‘……Once more encounter what originally set our hearts on fire. Let us accompany Jesus as He goes forth to meet his people, to be in the midst of His people.”
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AUSTRALIA DAY 26 January 2017
The Scripture readings approved for Australia Day speak of peace and justice, gentleness and mercy:
“Integrity will bring peace, justice give lasting security. My people will live in a peaceful home, in safe houses, in quiet dwellings” (Isaiah 32: 17-18).
SR MAUREEN SHEEHAN, MSC
50 YEARS PROFESSION
26 January 2017
CONGRATULATIONS MAUREEN!
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25 January 2017 Australia Day Award
Sr Anne Gardner, OLSH Senior Citizen of the Year for her work in the Tiwi Islands. Sr Anne accepted this honour on behalf of all OLSH Sisters.
CONGRATULATIONS!
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Monday 23 January 2017
We are deeply saddened by the tragic events of last Friday when a man deliberately drove into a crowd in Bourke Street and mall killing five people. Ambulance Victoria has confirmed that at least 20 people injured, with four of them believed to be children.
A public vigil for the victims and those affected by the tragic events in Bourke Street Mall on Friday 20 January 2017 took place today at Federation Square, Melbourne.
‘There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than 10,000 tongues. They are messages of overwhelming grief and unspeakable love.’ Martine Letts, CEO Committee for Melbourne.
1 JANUARY 2017
Nonviolence: a style of politics for peace – Message for the 50th World Day of Peace
– POPE FRANCIS
At the beginning of this New Year, I offer heartfelt wishes of peace to the world’s peoples and nations, to heads of state and government, and to religious, civic and community leaders. I wish peace to every man, woman and child, and I pray that the image and likeness of God in each person will enable us to acknowledge one another as sacred gifts endowed with immense dignity. Especially in situations of conflict, let us respect this, our “deepest dignity”,and make active nonviolence our way of life………………..
On this occasion, I would like to reflect on nonviolence as a style of politics for peace. I ask God to help all of us to cultivate nonviolence in our most personal thoughts and values. May charity and nonviolence govern how we treat each other as individuals, within society and in international life. When victims of violence are able to resist the temptation to retaliate, they become the most credible promotors of nonviolent peacemaking. In the most local and ordinary situations and in the international order, may nonviolence become the hallmark of our decisions, our relationships and our actions, and indeed of political life in all its forms.
Complete text: w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/peace/documents/papa-francesco_20161208_messaggio-l-giornata-mondiale-pace-2017.html