Message of the Union Superior

“God so loved the world that he gave us his only son” (Jn.3.16) “Today… a Savior has been born for us; he is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2-11)

Christmas celebrates the gift of God’s love. This love is shown most clearly in the self-giving of Jesus on the cross. But we need to hear about it first in gentle words such as we find in St. Luke’s beautiful Christmas story. This child came to die. And this birth only makes sense in terms of his death. And his death was for our sakes, so that we might live forever.

Almost everyone wishes to believe with a passion that the last words God spoke to His Son immediately before His birth were, “Be sure to give everyone down there my love.” (Unknown)

If we wish to give ourselves, here’s our gift list: the gift of listening, the gift of an embrace, the gift of laughter, the gift of forgiveness, the gift of a compliment, the gift of a kindness. To be of help to those who are in need since Christ identifies himself with those who are in need and suffering. Here we need to ask a question, who is it in our families or community or the place where we engage for ministry who need special care? What gift could I give them during Christmas?

Message of the Superior General to all

 December 8, 2011

Dear confreres around the world,

Greetings and best wishes to all of you on the occasion of the 157^th anniversary of the founding of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.  May the grace given to Jules Chevalier and Sebastian Maugenest continue to be lived and shared by all who have come to be a part of the Family born on December 8, 1854.

I am writing this one month after the closing of our 24^th General Chapter.  I accepted a second term of office and ask for the prayer and support of each of you to help me complete it.  I realize that given my age I will have to rely more than ever on the members of the General Council and other confreres to face the challenges that lie ahead.

The new Council has four members.  Fr. Rafael Rodríguez, who is in the last months of his second term as Provincial in the Dominican Republic, is the first Councilor.  Fr. F. X. Wahyudi, whom you all know from the previous Council, is the second.  Fr. Carl Tranter, a native of England and recently named Deputy Provincial in Ireland, has been a part of the Cordate community in Birmingham since its beginning.  Fr. Chris McPhee of Australia has been the director of novices there for the past five years.  Together, the members of the new team bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the General Administration.  I am most grateful to them and to their Provinces for their availability and generosity.

Message from the Union Superior

Dear Fathers & Brothers,

Greetings from the Union of India!

P. Joseph Christy, MSC - Union Superior

As we know that we are all in the holy season of Lent we are called to renew our spiritual life. This season opens to us new ways to meet the Lord following the example of Jesus in the desert. We ask the Lord to make us realize that we need not only bread to live but also the word of god and his blessing. Jesus who overcame the evil gives us courage and strength to overcome our trials and tribulations. During this time of grace we are all called upon to put off the old man and to live the new life in Christ. We shall prayer for one another that the Lord may help us to grow in his love an in love for one another.

Prayer is the great access. During the time of prayer, we pour forth all our cares, agonies, tears, anxiety, and worries unto Him and place them at the Lord’s feet. We offer praises unto Him with a grateful heart.

Prayer links earthy man with the heavenly Father. It is the time in which the heaven and earth are brought together. It is at the time of prayer we are comforted. We are strengthened and we are encouraged. For it is only by prayer our spiritual life is strengthened; it receives power. It is by prayer we shall be able to have deep fellowship with God. Jesus Himself led a model prayer life before commanding us to prayer. Thereby He made explicit the power of prayer. He prayed in the early morning. He went out the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God.

As we all know the our congregation is very busy in preparing for the General Chapter let  us all pray that Our loving Lord may bless each person with your divine light and this meeting will be a successful, productive, and blessed.

 

Wishing you A HAPPY Easter!

 

Four MSCs Ordained Deacons

D. Swamy, D. Pradeep, D. Pravee, D. Joji

BANGALORE, India – The Superior of the Indian Union, P. Joseph Christy, MSC, presented four MSC confreres: Bro. Arokia Swamy, Bro. Paul Pradeep, Bro. Praveen Kumar and Bro. Joji for the ordination to diaconate.  They were ordained deacons by the Emiritus Archbishop of Bangalore, His Grace Ignatius Pinto. This significant occasion gave an immense joy to the Indian Union.