The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have been farewelled from two parishes – Henley Beach in Adelaide and King’s Meadow in Launceston, but the legacy of their contribution will live on.
This was the clear message at an emotional farewell Mass celebrated by Adelaide Archbishop Patrick O’Regan in Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Church on December 4, reports The Southern Cross.
He was joined by past and present MSCs and deputy principal, Fr Peter Hendricks, and Adelaide Archdiocese’s vicar general Fr Dean Marin.
Archbishop Patrick O’Regan celebrates the farewell Mass at Henley Beach parish for the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. PHOTO: The Southern Cross.
Parishioners Don and Judy Newham, who have been members of the Henley Beach parish since the MSCs were invited there by the Archdiocese in 1958, presented Fr Hendricks with a framed photo of the church and the choir paid tribute with a cleverly-crafted version of the Sound of Music’s So Long, Farewell.
Long-time parishioner Lucina Loro Parham couldn’t hold back the tears when she gave a reflection on behalf of the parish.
“Since 1958 when Fr Cuthbert Hoy was officially appointed as our first parish priest here at Henley, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have planted seeds of love and hope amongst us and in us,” she said.
“Their actions speak strongly of their love for our parish and everyone in it, from the very youngest to the very oldest of parishioners.”
Resident MSC Fr Paul Cashen said through the process of deciding to leave Henley Beach, the Australian province had faced the reality that of the 110 MSC men in Australia, 82 were aged over 70 years.
“I can assure you that we as MSCs will watch with interest the unfolding parish life, recognising the need to engage everyone, especially the young, the elderly and those on the margins,” Fr Cashen said.
Meanwhile, in Kings Meadow, Tasmania, large numbers of parishioners gathered to farewell Fr Des Holm and to mark the closure of MSC ministry in the parish, earlier this month.
Fr Chris McPhee MSC, as Provincial Superior presided at the Sunday morning Mass with Fathers Des and Philip Malone (MSC Community Leader) joining Chris at the Altar.
Vince Carroll MSC, visiting from Toowoomba, was also in the congregation.
Morning tea following the Sunday morning Mass provided an opportunity for a large number of parishioners to share memories, recalling with fondness also each of the previous MSC Parish Priests.
Fr Des Holm MSC was presented with a beautiful plaque from the people of King’s Meadow Parish in Tasmania. PHOTO: MIssionaries of the Sacred Heart.
Fr Chris outlined briefly a history of MSC ministry in the area from 1906 and the 60 years of MSC working in the Parish. He also explained why the choice to leave was not easy but sadly became necessary given the decline in the number of MSC actively engaged in Parish ministry.
At the same time, he emphasised that parish ministry is a heart ministry and because the Parishioners had spirituality of the heart as their foundation - this would continue into the future.
The Chair of the Pastoral Council spoke warmly of the shared ministry of Fr Des as parish priest and parishioners. Special mention was made of the welcome Fr Des offered to new settlers in the Parish - especially the Timorese Community, and his dedication to the local school.
A presentation was made to Fr Des of a beautiful plaque, adding to an earlier album in which each of the school children had drawn their portrait of Fr Des and offered a greeting or comment.
This article is drawn from an article by Jenny Brinkworth in The Southern Cross and an article on the MSC Australia website.