South Sudan’s struggles intensify amid Corona Virus pandemic.

Things are increasingly difficult for our less fortunate friends in South Sudan lately. It has been been recognized among countries most at risk of what the UN World Food Programme (WFP) calls a “hunger pandemic”. Hunger and malnutrition in the country are at the most extreme levels since 2011, with almost 60% of the population struggling to find food every day. To add to this swarms of locusts which had destroyed crops across East Africa arrived in South Sudan earlier this year. They have also seen an increase in clan fights and revenge attacks, an increase in malaria, rains have been late and people are still struggling to plant .

And then of course to top all that they also have to deal with the dreaded Coronavirus.

As of today 7th July 2020, South Sudan has confirmed 2,021 cases, 333 recoveries and 38 deaths from the coronavirus . However in Loreto Rumbeck our companions Sr Orla Treacy, and the Loreto Sisters have informed us that It’s hard to know the real reality of Coronavirus, as they have only one official testing centre in the country a population of over 12 million. Tests sent from Rumbek can take up to two weeks, and meanwhile it seems that individuals are quarantined in their homes but their homes are small and basic and often can accommodate up to five people so social distancing at home isn’t very possible.

“On the more hopeful side of things we have a new Governor, we expect appointments for the State Ministers to be within this month.”
Another hopeful sign for them  has been the rise of children under 5 being treated in the their clinic, in Rumbeck as they now represent 25% of overall patients. Unfortunately children are the most vulnerable in the community.

Photos courtesy of Loreto Schools Rumbeck on Facebook

During the month of June they have expanded as much as possible their knowledge of Covid-19, social distancing and health education in the clinic while also enjoying more personal protective equipment.

Sr Petra has been supporting the staff with psycho-social support, this has been appreciated by all. “Meanwhile our block makers are helping to keep the goats away from the crops while our resident staff are all having a chance to improve their cooking skills!”

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are always proud to support the wonderful work done by the Loreto Sisters for the young women of South Sudan.
For more photographs and further information about Loreto Rumbek, visit their website or visit their Facebook page.
You can also find out more about how MSC Missions work with Loreto Rumbek – and how you can help to make a difference to the young women of South Sudan.

HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN

MSC Easter Draw 2020: Winners

MSC Easter Draw 2020

Congratulations to the winners of this year’s MSC Easter Draw!

Prize Winners:

1st Prize: €2,000 Cruise Travel Voucher

J. Murphy,

Fermoy, Co. Cork.

2nd Prize: €1,500 Sun Holiday Voucher

P. Dalton

Tralee, Co. Kerry

3rd Prize: €1,000 City Break Voucher 

C. Mc Lean

Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal

4th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher 

C. McLoughlin

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

5th Prize: €1,000 TV/Audio Voucher 

C. Watters

Ardar, Co. Donegal

6th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher 

D. Desmond

Mallow, Co. Cork

7th Prize: €1,000 Home Furniture Voucher 

M. Casey

Galbally, Co. Limerick

8th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher 

 P. Kneafsey

Ballina, Co. Mayo

9th Prize: €500 Weekend Break Voucher 

 E. Swan

Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

10th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher 

 A. O’Carroll

Oranmore,Co. Galway

11th Prize: €500 Computer/Tablet Voucher 

 D. Forde

Greenmount, Cork

12th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher 

T. Collins

Bantry, Co. Cork

13th Prize: €500 Home Decor Voucher 

 B. Herraghty

Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

14th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher 

P. O’Dea

Kilmallock, Co. Limerick

15th Prize: €500 Garden / Outdoor Voucher

A. Connolly

Dunmany, Co. Cork

16th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher 

S. O’Regan

Watergrasshill, Co. Cork

17th Prize: €500 Home Appliances Voucher 

C. McLoughlin

Ballinalee Road, Co. Longford

18th Prize: €500 Hot Air Balloon Voucher 

 E.  Banville

Rathfarnham, Dublin.

19th Prize: €500 Driving Lessons Voucher 

 C. Rellis

Cork Road, Co. Waterford

20th Prize: €500 Cookery Class Voucher

 B. Lavin

Castlerea, Co. Roscommon

10 X €200 Shopping Voucher – Click to view winners

30 X €100 Shopping Voucher – Click to view winners

 

All winners will be notified individually.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who took part in this year’s draw. 
This year’s MSC Easter Draw took place on Wednesday, July 1st 2020.

MSC Easter Draw 2020: €200 Shopping Voucher Winners

The 10 lucky winners of the €200 shopping vouchers are as follows:

1. A. Doyle – Farrenferris,  Cork

2. J. Costello – Lucan, Co. Dublin

3. J. McGlinchey- Dungannon, Co. Tyrone

4. L Doohan – Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

5. E. Murphy – Kilmanagh, Co. Kilkenny

6. T. Galvin – Lissards, Co. Cork

7. T. Quigley – Knockcroghery, Co.Roscommon

8. P. O’Mahony – Tralee, Co. Kerry

9. C. Ganley – Moate, Co. Westmeath

10. J. Buckley – Macroom, Co. Cork

Congratulations to you all! 

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MSC Easter Draw 2020: €100 Shopping Voucher Winners

 

The 30 lucky winners of the €100 shopping vouchers are as follows:

 

1. C. O’Carroll- Tralee, Co. Kerry

2. J. Appleby – Glasheen Road, Cork

3. E. Mulcahy – Dunmanway, Co. Cork

4. A. Hernon – Aran Islands, Co. Galway

5. E. Hogan- Dundrum, Co. Tipperary

6. M. Galwey – Leap, Co. Cork

7. J. Colleran- Castlebar, Co. Mayo

8. K. Rohan – Ballygunner, Co. Waterford

9. R. Finn- Balbriggan, Co. Dublin

10. M. O’Driscoll – Skibbereen, Co. Cork

11. M.Chambers – Westport, Co. Mayo

12. C. O’Keeffe- Clonakilty, Co. Cork

13. E. O’Sullivan – Mullingar, Co. Westmeath

14. R. Doyle- Castlcomer, Co. Kilkenny

15. S. Troy – Cashel, Co. Tipperary

16. P. Durand – Greystones, Co. Wicklow

17. S. Collins – Malahide, Co. Dublin

18. A. Kinsella- Drogheda, Co. Louth

19. M. Kevlihan- Navan Road, Co. Dublin

20. A. Carson – Old Park Road, Belfast

21. D. Twomey – Tralee, Co. Kerry

22. D. Randles – Killarney, Co. Kerry

23. M. McFadden – Letterkenny, Co. Donegal

24. J. Harte- Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan

25. N. O’Connor – Listowel, Co. Kerry

26. N. Duffy- Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo

27. K. Bent – John Street, Co. Wexford

28. E. Corrigan – Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh

29. P. McGrath – Thomondgate, Co. Limerick

30. A. Yates- Birr, Co. Offaly

Congratulations Everyone! 

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Gospel Reflection Twelfth Sunday Of Year June 21 2020

Gospel Reflection

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body.”

(Mathew 10:26-35).

Reflection: The entire Church is missionary

During his public life Jesus commissioned the apostles to preach the Good News to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and after his resurrection his commission was to preach to Gospel to the ends of the earth. And in the Church’s history the main emphasis on mission has been that by specially chosen persons. This may overlook another mission there from the beginning, one given to all believers. Christ told his first followers, before the choice of the Twelve, that they were the salt of the earth and then light of the world, and that their light should shine before others so that they give glory to their Father in heaven.
Peter in his epistle (1 Peter 3:15-16) told his readers to be always be ready to make their defence to anyone who demands from them an account of the hope that is in them; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. This is a missionary activity. He also told them (2:9) that they are chosen by God as a royal priesthood and holy nation to proclaim the mighty acts of God. The Church, the people of God, has been missionary through its missionary priests and through the financial and other support it provided for the missions. The Church in our own day, in the Vatican Council, and later, has become aware of the mission of the Church as a whole, as God’s people, to the world of our day. As the Council document on Missionary activity puts it, the Church on earth is by its very nature missionary, since according to the plan of the Father, it has its origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit to communicate the love of God to all individuals and to all peoples, and by reason of this it is aware that for her a tremendous missionary work still remains to be done. There is a growing disbelief in God and an active movement of atheism.

Believers are missionary by their knowledge of the riches of their Christian inheritance and by a life in keeping with it.

They should be aware of the profound transformation which is talking place among nations, and work hard so that modern men and women are not turned away from the things of God by an excessive preoccupation with modern science and technology.

Fr Martin McNamara MSC

Novena to the Sacred Heart 2020

The Novena of the Sacred Heart is a very special time of the the year for us and with our recent challenges and lifestyle changes now  is a great time for us to reflect and pray with each other during the Novena this year which is happening from the 11th-19th June (albeit behind closed doors) and finishing with the celebration of the Feast of the Sacred Heart on the final day. All our MSC’s will be participating in this year’s Novena online and you are more than welcome to join us during  by watching our daily Masses live from the Sacred Heart Church in Cork. These Novena Masses will take place daily at 10.00 am and 7.30 pm, with a special Angelus session each day at noon.

SCHEDULE

 

THURSDAY 11TH JUNE – WELCOME TO THE UNIQUE NOVENA   Homilist Fr John Finn MSC

FRIDAY  12TH JUNE –  PRAYER BY YOUR FIRESIDE  Homilist Fr John Fitzgerald MSC

SATURDAY  13TH JUNE –  MARY AS MOTHER AND DISCIPLE Homilist Fr Des Farren MSC

SUNDAY  14TH JUNE –  CORPUS CHRISTI/PETITIONS  Homilist Fr Michael O’Connell MSC

             “Come to me all you who labour and are overburdened” Mt 11:28

                    “This is my body given up for you. Do this in memory of me” Lk 22:19

MONDAY   15TH JUNE – VOCATION & MISSION  Homilist Fr. Alan Neville MSC

TUESDAY 16TH JUNE – FAMILY Homilist Fr. Seamus Kelly MSC

WEDNESDAY 17TH JUNE – REMEMBERING OUR DEAD Homilist Fr. John Fitzgerald MSC

THURSDAY 18TH JUNE – HEALING AND FORGIVENESS Homilist Fr. John Finn MSC

FRIDAY 19TH JUNE – FEAST OF THE SACRED HEARTHomilist Fr. Alan Neville MSC

 

Be part of this year’s Novena to the Sacred Heart

This year’s pandemic has caused a devastating effect on us all and now more than ever is a good time to support those less fortunate and you can help us to help others by supporting our ongoing mission projects, and in gratitude for your contribution, we will be glad to remember your intentions at our daily Novena Masses. You can also submit your personal prayers and intentions online, and our MSC priests will remember your petitions specially throughout the course of the Novena.

 

Novena Prayer to the Sacred Heart

O Divine Jesus, who said,
“Ask and you shall receive”,
I kneel at your feet.
From whom shall I ask if not form you,
whose heart is the source of all blessings.
With a lively faith in you,
I come to ask…
Share your petitions silently with the Sacred Heart.
I admit I am the most unworthy of your favours, Jesus,
But this is not a reason for me to be discouraged.
You are the God of mercies and you will not refuse a contrite heart.
Look with pity on me,
I beg you, and your compassionate Heart
will find in my weakness a motive for granting my request.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me.
Amen.

SUPPORT MSC MISSION PROJECTS

Loreto Rumbeck comes together to fight Coronavirus

As the world battles with covid-19 our companions from Loreto Rumbeck in South Sudan have added pressure in dealing with this deadly disease, however they are keeping up the spirit and doing the best to keep going during this pandemic.

“As we come to the end of the month of May we are grateful for many small achievements.

Our schools remained closed but our compound is still full of life. The rains have begun and while we are missing the support of our students we are all helping out with the planting. We look forward to September when we hope to feast on the harvest of groundnuts (monkey nuts) and maize.”

Some of their university students who have returned to them are continuing their studies online although a lot of their students cannot afford the opportunity. They were however grateful to connect with many of their Primary and Secondary girls when they came to receive their cash payment for the British project, Girls Education in South Sudan.

The journey of Coronavirus is becoming very real for them. In their capital of Juba many of their top political leaders have confirmed they are positive for coronavirus and a number of confirmed cases are now present in the town. Unfortunately they don’t have testing services in the State but they must assume that the virus is present and spreading fast.

“Our graduates are doing a great service, some go to the radios and have health talks while others are out and about in the community teaching about coronavirus. While masks aren’t widely available our graduates are learning how to make their own and provide some for the community.”

“We realise that the coming weeks will be tense as we expect the spread of Coronavirus to be more visible to us all. We are beginning to take the necessary precautions though it is difficult in an environment that has little.”

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are always proud to support the wonderful work done by the Loreto Sisters for the young women of South Sudan.
For more photographs and further information about Loreto Rumbek, visit their website or visit their Facebook page.
You can also find out more about how MSC Missions work with Loreto Rumbek – and how you can help to make a difference to the young women of South Sudan.

HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN

Gospel Reflection Sixth Sunday of Easter 17 May 2020

Gospel Reflection

“I shall ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate”

The Gospel (John 14:15-21)

Writing to the Romans (Romans 8:14) Paul says:

“All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God”.

The Sunday readings today stress the part played by the Holy Spirit in the lives of individual believers and of the Christian community. It is by the laying on of the hands of the Apostles that the Holy Spirit came on the believers in the Samaritan town converted by Philip. It is the Spirit of the risen Christ that gave confidence to the believers during their trials, referred to in the letter of Peter. It is the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises to send on his followers as a second advocate, defender, comforter. In our own day the Holy Spirit gives the certainty of faith in Jesus to the individual believer, belief in a world unseen. The Holy Spirit gives consolation of soul, and the joy and peace which Jesus promised before he left. The Holy Spirit guides us as believers to live in keeping with the Gospel message, with purity of heart and with a religious attitude that takes the directions for one’s life from heaven, from Jesus, from the Church, rather than from a worldly secular attitude that does not believe in another world or accept direction from it.

Another thought worthy of reflection arising from today’s Gospel reading is the opposition and contest that there was, and always will be, between Jesus himself, his followers, and the other forces which the Gospel calls “the world”, that is those who were not ready to accept his person or his message, and who maintained, or will maintain, that they had been victorious over Jesus, that he and all he stood for were conquered by his death on the cross. Jesus assured his followers that the Paraclete, that Advocate, the Holy Spirit, that he was to send would convince his followers (and convict “the world”) that the contrary was the case. They should take courage; Jesus had conquered the world. Those forces working against Jesus and his work are still active.

We need not enter in any further detail into this question here, but to recall that in this continuing contest, Jesus and his Father are also active through the Holy Spirit, the Advocate and Comforter. However, we may mention that an obvious example of the ongoing contest between the forces contrary to Jesus is active atheism, and the movement “Atheist Ireland” actively engaged in an effort to destroy belief in God, with special emphasis on vilifying the Catholic Church, attempting to remove any influence of Catholic, that is Christian, religion from public life and the teaching of religion inn primary schools. Today’s Gospel and liturgical readings call for a response on at least two points, namely to recall Jesus’ promise of the Holy Spirit that gives confidence to the conscience of each believer that he, Jesus, has “conquered the world”, all opposing forces, and gives confidence and peace in believing, and secondly not to forget the advice of St Peter in the Second reading today: have a good knowledge of your religion

“Always have your answer ready for people who ask you the reason for the hope that is in you; but give it with courtesy and respect”.

 

Fr Martin McNamara MSC

Adjusting to Coronavirus in South Sudan

The risk of the pandemic virus in a developing country like South Sudan is very high as they have very poor medical facilities and are steeped in traditions that involve the handshake. It represents peace and respect among their communities and proves to be difficult to avoid , all be it necessary to contain the spread of the virus.
Creating awareness to the community about Coronavirus becomes an urgent need as most of the people are illiterate and they are not informed of what is happening around the world, therefore proper orientation and health education for preventive measures are required.

On 31st March, 2020, nine former interns returned to Loreto. Among the group are five trainee nurses, two medical students and two development students. All have returned from their various learning institutes to help prepare for the Coronavirus in the Mary Ward Primary Health Care Center (LPHCC).

Each week the group divides and enters into the community trying to educate them on the Coronavirus disease, how it can be transmitted and how to try to prevent it happening in the area. These graduates are finding this extremely difficult as many villages are constructed in a way that social distancing is not possible. Many of the families have to share beds, bedding materials and all household utensils.

They are also finding it difficult to guide the males section of the community but they are hoping to change this as it is vital that the community works as a whole to protect themselves against this virus.

“Over the last 3 weeks, the medical team has been able to outreach to different 49 water points, boreholes training total number of 3,010 people, mostly women.

The medical team is motivated by the willingness of the community members to take up the preventive measures in controlling the spread of the virus and they look forward to targeting a bigger group in the next few weeks.”

Information via www.loretorumbek.ie

HELP US TO TRANSFORM LIVES IN SOUTH SUDAN

Reflection Second Sunday of Easter 19 April 2020

Gospel Reflection

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe”

The Gospel (John 20:19-31)

I once heard a playwright being asked what extra experience he would like to have had in life. His reply was: “I would like to have met Jesus”. One can only surmise what encounter, if any, a playwright, a politician or any other would have had with Jesus, and what, if any, Jesus’ reply would have been to their questions. Matters are different with regard to faith. Jesus is not a person of yesterday, or of another era. He is ever present as a person and influence.

Let’s go back for a moment to that scene in the upper room, with doors closed. Jesus accepts Thomas’s profession of faith. Thomas has seen the risen Saviour and believed. But, as

if casting a glance forward to believers of all ages, in all places, into this twenty-first century, and this particular year, Jesus declares blessed all those who will believe in him down through all the ages. They will not have seen with their physical eyes, but will have done so through the eyes of faith. In his parting discourse at the Last Supper Jesus looked forward in prayer to the same course of faith history, and prays to the Father for all believers (John 17:20):

“I ask not only on behalf of these (my disciples now present), but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one”.

For the earlier Church, and for later ages, Jesus is near in his empowering, consoling and inspiring presence. As we have seen in the first reading, Peter is made to address early Christians suffering for their faith in Jesus as follows: “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8).

The imitation of Christ is central to the New Testament and to Christianity. Imitation in this sense also implies a personal acquaintance with Christ. It s nicely put in a poem transmitted in Irish folk tradition, as part of an instruction to young people how to prepare for life: “Young person, at the beginning of your life, pay good attention to my teaching. Before you get too old come to a personal acquaintance (aithne) with Christ” – not just knowledge of Christ (eolas), but a personal acquaintance with (aithne), through faith, an awareness of that the presence and prayer which Jesus spoke about to Thomas makes possible. Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have come to believe

Fr Martin McNamara MSC

Update from Fr Richie : Covid 19 in the Phillipines

“Pandemic Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) has paralized all human activities.  The world’s longing to rest indeed happen, unfortunately great crisis on the part of humanity.  This alarming rate of change is too difficult to pinpoint the cause and effect, we may not have seen the worst of it.  But one thing is clear, this WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN.  It has hurt most human pride and reminds us again that we need to care for one another.

Before the lockdown so the postponement of our on-going renovations and activities at the Center – we’re able to gave some food provisions to at least 25 construction workers and after a week there are already clamoring for food subsidy from our neighbors or urban poor community.  The situation really is challenging since most of our brothers and sisters are just meeting both ends or enduring a hand to mouth existence.

Because of COVID-19 something invisible came and put everything in its place. Suddenly the cost of gasoline went down, pollution went down, people started to have more time – so much time that they do not know what to do with it – parents are spending time with their kids as a family, work is no longer a priority, or traveling or social life either.  Suddenly we silently see within ourselves and understand the value of the words “solidarity”, “love”, “strength”, “empathy” and “faith”.  In an instant we realized that we are all in the same boat; rich and poor.  That the supermarket shelves are empty and the hospitals are full.
New cars and old cars also stand in the garages, simply because nobody can get out.
Empty streets, less pollution, clean air, the land also breathes.  The human returns to his origins, realizing that with or without money, the important thing is to survive.
Today, health is the main thing, even in spite of wanting to have or possessing.
It took 6 days for the universe to establish the social equality that was said to be impossible.  Fear invaded everyone.  At least this happened to realize the vulnerability of the human being.  Nature is forcing us to clean up the mess made by ourselves.

What the coronavirus is teaching us:
– Our best protection: GOD
– Our best refuge: HOME
– Our best company: FAMILY
– Our real time: TODAY
– Nature’s call: STOP US
– Its message: WAIT, RESPECT

We do not have the power of controlling everything.  The situation is simply telling us to go back to the basics, to the essentials, that the peace of your soul guide you towards what you are: a CREATION.”

Fr Richie MSN

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR MSC MISSIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES

A Prayer from from Archbishop Eamon Martin

 

Like others in society, our parishes have been introducing restrictions to help keep people safe, especially those who are most vulnerable. I invite you to join me today in praying the beautiful prayer of Saint Patrick, known as his “breastplate” prayer, in which he invited Christ to surround him with love and protection:

Christ with me, Christ before me,

Christ behind me, Christ within me,

Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ at my right, Christ at my left,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

The coming weeks and months are going to bring challenges and uncertainty for all of us, as we are reminded of the fragility of human life and of our dependence on one another and on God.

This is a time for an outpouring of the works of mercy towards the sick and vulnerable, and for a spirit of generosity and self-sacrifice, compassion and charity in Ireland, and across the world. It’s hard for people not to be alarmed, but it’s worth remembering that we are never completely isolated or alone.

This is also a time for prayer. Pray for the virtues of patience and perseverance and for the composure to overcome any temptation to despair. Do your best to spread calmness – not panic; serenity – not turbulence; solidarity – not selfishness. Reach out to neighbours and relatives who may feel troubled or alone. Even a simple phone call can make a huge difference. Work to ensure that hope and compassion will prevail.

In turning towards God for protection, as Saint Patrick did, I ask for your prayers in particular for our brave and selfless health workers and for the medical scientists who are searching for a vaccine and better treatments. Pray that government and public health authorities can make wise judgements and decisions about how to limit the impact of the virus, especially on the most vulnerable.

In Ireland we have a strong tradition that God is at our side in time of trouble. It remains important to keep reminding ourselves and others in the coming days that we are never completely isolated: Christ is beside us, before us, behind us, on our right and on our left, beneath us and above us.

Saint Patrick, apostle of Ireland, pray for us.

Dia idir sinn agus an t-olc. – “God between us and all harm”.

 

Archbishop Eamon Martin