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Prayer - The Holy Name of Jesus JESUS, yours is the name above all names; we offer you our heartfelt praise and gratitude. Deepen in us an abiding reverence for your Holy Name. JESUS, Saviour, heal the wounds within that our sin and fear have inflicted, Set us free from all that hinders us from rejoicing in your boundless love and sharing your goodness with others. JESUS, Friend, draw us ever closer to you. We entrust all we carry in our hearts to your abundant mercy. JESUS, Lord, pour out the Holy Spirit upon your people that our lives may overflow with your grace, our days he filled with your love, and all our actions shine with your light. Amen. (From: Prayer Card of the Poor Clare Monastery, Nuns’ Island, Galway.)
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Advocate Autumn 2016 Volume 56 No. 2 ST JOSEPH’S ADVOCATE Published by: Editor: Printed in Ireland by:
Mill Hill Missionaries Fr. Jim O’Connell. Modern Printers, Kilkenny.
CONTENTS Editorial Honouring Our Dead Celebrating 150 Years Our New Regional Superior Bintulu Pope Francis in Africa Mill Hill Ordinations 2016 How I see St. Joseph Front Cover:
2 3 4 8 10 12 15 16
Jesus the face of God’s Mercy 18 New Mill Hill Members 2016 21 New Opportunity for Missionaries 22 International Meeting 25 Fr. Lorenzo Bracken 26 Fr. Ray Hogan 27 Obituaries 28
. Kenya Girl. Photo: Fons Eppink.
Inside Front Cover:
. Prayer: The Holy Name of Jesus.
Back Cover:
. Hornbill - Symbol of Sarawak, Malaysia. Photo: Fons Eppink
Photo Credits:
. F. Eppink, Slyvester Odhiambo, Philip O’Halloran, Sr. Noel Barron,
MISSION OFFERINGS All Postal Orders and Cheques to be sent direct to us at Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road, Kilkenny. All Bank Giros to be sent direct to Bank of Ireland, Parliament St., Kilkenny A/c No. 10914412. Sort Code: 906064 Mill Hill Missionaries St. Joseph’s Waterford Road, Kilkenny. Tel: (056) 7721482 Office: millhillkilkenny@eircom.net www.millhillmissionaries.com
Mill Hill Missionaries 50 Orwell Park Rathgar, Dublin 6 Tel: (01) 4127700 E.mail: josephmhm@eircom.net
St Mary’s Parish 25 Marquis Street Belfast BT1 1JJ Tel: 04890 320482
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FR O M T H E ED ITOR at the Mass of Thanksgiving. Some of our readers were He was joined by three other a bit surprised when they bishops and many Mill Hill read in the Spring Missionaries. The cathedral Advocate that our official was full of friends of Mill Hill title is: “Saint Joseph’s that included a group of Missionary Society.” I am sure most people were Fr. Jim O’Connell,mhm twelve Sisters - Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph aware of this. We are who had travelled from Mangenerally known as ‘The Mill Hill Missionaries’ but from the time that chester. In this Advocate you can read Fr. Herbert Vaughan (later Cardinal) what Fr. Michael Corcoran, our General Superior, said in his talk at the end of the founded his Missionary Society 150 Mass. years ago in a place called Mill Hill When I was ordained in 1972, one of in North West London, St. Joseph my classmates and a close friend of has been in our official title - as our mine, the late Fr. Kevin O’Donovan patron and protector. from Drimoleague, Co. Cork, was apSo that is where ‘St. Joseph’s Advo- pointed to the Diocese of Miri, on the Iscate’ comes from and it also explains land of Borneo, Sarawak, Malaysia. He why we carry the Novena to St. Joseph spent some years in a parish called Binin the Spring Issue every year. You may tulu with other Mill Hill colleagues. I have noticed that we try to promote de- still remember some of his letters from votion to St. Joseph in the other Issues there. It is lovely to see that Kevin and of the Advocate as well. In this one we all the other Mill Hill priests and brothhave a reflective and insightful article ers who ministered there are fondly re‘How I See Saint Joseph’ written by Fr. membered and honoured by the people John Hemer, mhm. of Bintulu. Herbert Vaughan went on to become the Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster Fr. Fons Eppink writes about this and his remains now rest in the Cathe- when he and other Mill Hill priests who dral, having been moved from Mill Hill now work in Sarawak attended the when St. Joseph’s College was sold blessing of a ‘Pieta’ dedicated to the some years ago. So it was fitting that the memory of the missionaries. He notes 150th Anniversary of the foundation of that “It was a grand occasion to cele‘St. Joseph’s Missionary Society’ (Mill brate the work of the Mill Hill MissionHill) was celebrated in Westminster aries in Bintulu and elsewhere ever since Cathedral with a special Mass. Cardinal the first missionaries arrived in Borneo Vincent Nichols was the main celebrant in 1881.” 2
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November: honouring the memory of the dead During the month of November each of our priests throughout the world offers Holy Mass for all our deceased members and benefactors. Here in St. Joseph's, Kilkenny, Holy Mass is celebrated each day of November for all deceased members and benefactors, and for all those whose names are recorded in our ‘List of the Dead.’ You are kindly invited to send in the names of your dear departed loved ones.
Prayer for a happy death ‘May God support us all day long, till the shades lengthen and evening comes and the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over and our work is done. Then in his mercy May he give us a safe lodging And a holy rest and peace at last. Amen. The photos show two sections of a stained glass window in our chapel in Kilkenny. The text at the base of the window reads: ‘St. Joseph, Patron of a Happy Death, pray for us’ The window depicts Joseph on his deathbed. Jesus is holding his hand and blessing him. Mary is praying and grieving close by. You may want to reflect on the scene and enter into it with hope and prayer. The same gentle loving Jesus is with each person on that final journey from this life to the heavenly peace that awaits us. At death ‘life is changed, not ended.’ The scene depicted in the window can bring much comfort, when we have to turn our thoughts to death or perhaps find ourselves grieving the loss of loved ones. 3
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At a special Mass in Westminster Cathedral, London, St. Joseph’s Missionary Society (The Mill Hill Missionaries) celebrated the 150th anniversary of their foundation. Cardinal Vincent Nichols was the main celebrant at the Mass of Thanksgiving. He was joined by three other bishops and many Mill Hill Missionaries as well as a cathedral full of friends of the Mill Hill Missionaries.
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Talk given by Fr. Michael Corcoran (Mill Hill General Superior) “In 1866 Fr. Herbert Vaughan , who later became Cardinal Archbishop of Westminster, purchased a beautiful 18th Century House in the quiet village of Mill Hill in North London. He took up residence there with one student and in effect, the Mill Hill Missionaries, St. Joseph’s Missionary Society was born. As the number of students grew the need for a bigger college was fulfilled by the building of St. Joseph’s College not far across the fields from Holcombe House. In March 1871 the new St. Joseph’s Col-
lege was opened with a community of thirty four. The college grew from strength to strength becoming not only a local landmark with its impressive façade and its commanding tower topped by a huge statue of St. Joseph, but a focal point of the Local Church’s zeal for what we called then, foreign mission, the movement of missionaries from the Northern Churches of Europe to the Mission lands of the South in Africa and Asia.
New Development A new development took place at the 1988 Chapter when a decision was taken to recruit Mill Hill Missionaries from
Mill Hill General Superior (right) Fr. Michael Corcoran, in animated conversation with Cardinal Vincent Nichols. Fr. Patrick Molloy is in the background. 5
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Holding Mill Hill Symbols: Fr. Liam Cummins with the Crucifix and Sash; Brother Eddie Slavenski with the Brothers’ Cord and Lay Associate Ruth Purcell with the book of Constitiutions and Directives.
Africa and Asia, our former mission areas, now flourishing with well-established churches planted and grown by Mill Hill Missionaries. The Mill Hill Society now has Formation Centres in Cameroon, Kenya, Uganda, Philippines, Congo and India. Our Vocation Directors bring news of growing interest in young people discerning God’s call to follow the missionary way of life. It is fitting today to allow ourselves some self-appreciation as a Society on this our jubilee for the work accomplished. We rejoice. 6
All this clearly indicates where the future will be and where further significant changes will occur. Where change abounds, flexibility must abound more. The future is in God’s hands. The Spirit will show us the way forward and hopefully we will be able to respond with enthusiasm. In the meantime we continue to do what we do best – Mission. Our long and impressive record of doing mission throughout the world including what we are doing in this country will inspire, inform and guide future generations of missionaries and peoples, wherever they come from.
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At this celebration I would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to you the people of England, Wales and Scotland for your accompaniment over the years. Many people rooted in mission have never left these shores. You have been involved in mission right where you are through your prayers and material support, reaching out in partnership to people far from here in need of your help. Mission is not someone else’s job – we are all connected locally and globally… Our Mill Hill Charism ‘to go to those most in need of God’s grace’ framed in a rich and colourful tradition begun in 1866 will continue long into the future, by the help of God and with the support of you - God’s people.
“God’s great blessing is the blessing we are to each other” I want to express our thanks to all who shared with us in this Jubilee Celebration. We are especially grateful to Cardinal Vincent Nichols and to the Cathedral Administrator and to Fr. Alexander Master. I pay tribute to all our own missionaries – men and women including in a special way the Franciscan Missionaries of St. Joseph - scattered throughout the world living the Gospel amongst the peoples entrusted to their care Our mission points us into the future, where God’s greatest blessing is the blessing we are to each other. This is
summed up in our Mill Hill Motto: Amare et Servire - To love and to serve - As in the past, so in the present, into the future. In the spirit of Pope Francis we decided to be a bit different – in lieu of a reception a substantial donation will be made by Mill Hill to the Jesuit Relief Service for migrants.”
In his homily, Cardinal Nichols said: “This celebration of thanksgiving for the 150th Anniversary of St Joseph’s Missionary Society, the Mill Hill Missionaries, is a marvellous occasion for us all. I feel very much part of it. After all, the Mill Hill Missionaries, founded by a priest who became the Cardinal Archbishop of this diocese, are ‘Westminster home-grown’. So as Cardinal Herbert Vaughan’s successor, I am deeply aware of how Archbishops of Westminster have both encouraged and been blessed by the Mill Hill Missionaries. At the outset, you gladly welcomed the contribution of women to your mission: for example, the group of former Anglican nuns whom Vaughan received into the Church. But the Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph merit special mention. While he was Bishop of Salford, Vaughan helped Alice Ingham’s company of women to establish themselves as a religious congregation. Not long after their foundation, some Sisters joined the Fathers in the Borneo Mission. This close partnership between the Fathers and Sisters still flourishes.” 7
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In recent years, Fr. Philip has been working in our Mill Hill Centres in Kenya and Uganda, where students are preparing for the missioanary priesthood.
ince the 1st of August, we have a new Regional Superior of Mill Hill in Ireland. He is Fr. Philip O’Halloran from Callan, Co. Kilkenny. Our previous Regional, Fr. Michael Corcoran from Galmoy, Co. Kilkenny, was elected General Superior of Mill Hill worldwide in June 2015. There must be something of Brian Cody in the Kilkenny air when it comes to leadership!
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After ordination in 1988, Philip spent 21 years in Uganda. His first five years were in Soroti, which was recovering after devastation by government soldiers, anti-government rebels and Karimojong cattle raiders. He worked in Soroti Cathedral and later in Kaberamaido Parish. He also was Vice-Rector and taught in the Diocesan Seminary for two years, as well as initially assisting and then running the Diocesan Finance Office during his time in the diocese. From June 1993, he ran the Mill Hill Uganda Vocations Office near Jinja. In 1995 Mill Hill in Uganda celebrated their centenary
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and he was actively involved in the missionary displays and celebrations during that year. For a year, from April 1998, he led a team of Mill Hill Missionaries who opened the first Mill Hill Parish at Panyangara in Kotido Diocese, Northern Uganda. The team was made up of Philip and two other Irishmen, Denis Hartnett from Mountmellick, Co. Laois, and the late Declan O’Toole from Headford, Co. Galway.
The Jinja Formation Programme works together with some twelve to fourteen other congregations Philip returned to Ireland in April 1999 for a sabbatical before being appointed in 2000 to the Formation Programme in Jinja, Uganda. When Fr. Declan O’Toole was murdered in March 2002, Philip volunteered to return to Kotido and worked there until March 2009. After a year’s study in Dublin he took up a short-lived appointment in (Mill Hill) Kilkenny. He was whisked off again in 2011 - this time to Kenya. From July 2011, together with the Mill Hill Sisters, he ran the one-year Programme at Luanda Formation Centre, which caters for young men and women aspiring to be Missionaries. He was very happy there, but in 2013 he was asked to take charge of the Formation Centre in Jinja, Uganda. Once again Philip moved on and engaged wholeheartedly with the Formation work there. He has also been a very active member at the Queen of
Apostles Philosophy Centre Jinja where he has been teaching and working for the last two years. The Jinja Formation Programme works together with some twelve to fourteen other congregations and Missionary Societies in the Philosophy Centre Jinja where they share lecturing and sporting facilities in a common Campus and over 180 Seminarians and Sisters study together over three years. Most communities have their own house or rent facilities. Mill Hill had twenty two students studying there this year. The formation programme has been running for almost twenty five years in Jinja and the Mill Hill Missionaries trained there have been working in many places across the world like Malaysia, Philippines, Pakistan, South Africa, Cameroon, Congo, Kenya, United Kingdom, Uganda and South Sudan.
With all his valuable experience as a Missionary, Philip has returned to be our new Irish Regional Now, with all his varied and valuable experience, Philip has returned to Ireland to be our new Irish Regional. We are very grateful to him for agreeing to take on the task. We know that his heart is in Africa, where he spent so many years of his life as a Mill Hill Missionary. But there are some attractions to being back home. His dad Liam lives in Callan and he has brothers and sisters and their families living in County Kilkenny and also on the Tipperary side of the border. And of course there is always Kilkenny hurling to follow and enjoy! 9
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Remembered and honoured in Bintulu Sarawak, Malaysia, by Fr. Fons Eppink N THE 31st December, 2015 a delegation of Mill Hill missionaries that included Fathers Terry Burke, John McAuley, Matthews Olili, Onesimus Kihokohlo and myself arrived at St Anthony's Parish Bintulu in response to an invitation from the diocesan clergy and the local Christian
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communities. This was going to be a grand occasion to celebrate the work of the Mill Hill missionaries in Bintulu and elsewhere ever since the first missionaries arrived in Borneo in 1881. That same evening we were all invited to take part in a festive meal in a local hotel. Upon arrival at the hotel the in-
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vited guests were met by a welcoming committee who decorated each of us with beautiful orchids. Inside there were 24 large tables seating ten guests each, parishioners, mostly members of small Christian Communities. There were speeches and the Mill Hill delegation was invited on to the stage to cut a huge cake celebrating 150 years of Mill Hill. All this was in gratitude for what the Mill Hill missionaries have been blessed to accomplish in Sarawak and Sabah ever since the arrival of the first missionaries. On 1st January we joined the parish community for the Eucharist after which a newly refurbished hall was blessed and dedicated in the memory of Jan van der Laar, mhm, who served in Bintulu for
many years. Near the Hall, a Pietà was blessed and dedicated to the memory of all the Mill Hill missionaries who served in Bintulu and the surrounding region. [Irish connections with Bintulu: As I mentioned in the Editorial, the late Fr. Kevin O’Donovan, mhm, from Drimoleague, Co. Cork, worked in Bintulu for some years after his ordination in 1972. And another Irish connection: Fr. Fred Franklin, mhm, worked in Bintulu for some time – his mother came from Castlegregory, County Kerry. It is comforting to know that Kevin and Fred and all the Mill Hill Missionaries who worked in Bintulu are fondly remembered - Editor]
The Mill Hill guests share a meal with local Priests and Parish Council members in Bintulu. 11
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AST NOVEMBER, when he returned from visiting Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, Pope Francis told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square: ‘Africa is beautiful’ and after mentioning the highlights of his visit to the three countries he launched into lengthy off-the-cuff remarks.
this little girl and others.” This is what the missionaries are like: courageous. “And what do you do, Sister?” I asked her. “I’m a nurse, and then I studied and became an obstetrician, and I’ve delivered 3,280 babies,” she told me. An entire life, for life, for the life of others. And there are so, so many like this sister — so many sisters, so many priests, so many religious — who burn their lives to proclaim Jesus Christ. It’s beautiful to see this. It’s beautiful.”
“I would like to say a word about missionaries: Men and women who left everything, their homeland, when they were young, and they went there for a life of so, so much work, sometimes sleeping on the ground. Some went for an entire life.
“Stand strong in Faith, do not be afraid. You will be witnesses”
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“So many who burn their lives to proclaim Jesus Christ. It’s beautiful to see this” There was a moment in Bangui when I met a religious sister. She was Italian. You could see she was older. “How old are you?” I asked her. “Eighty-one,” she said. “Oh, not too old, just two years older than me. Not too old.” And she was with a little girl. And the little girl, in Italian, was calling the Sister “Nonna” [Grandma]. Eighty-one years old, and she’d been there since the age of 23 or 24. Her entire life was spent there. And there were so many like her. “But I’m not really from here. I’m from a neighboring country,” she told me, “from Congo. I came in a canoe with
“I would like to say a word to young people. Think about what to do with your life. Think of this sister, and the many like her, who gave their lives - and many died there. This sister was telling me that the Muslim women go to them because they know the Sisters are nurses; they are good and take good care of them. They don’t do catechism to convert them. Bearing witness. Then, for those who want it, they have catechism. But bearing witness: this is the great and heroic missionary character of the Church - To proclaim Jesus Christ with one’s own life. I now address myself to the young people. Think. What do you want to do with your life? It’s time to think about it, and ask the Lord to enable you hear his will. But please don’t exclude this possibility of becoming a missionary to bring love, humanity and the faith to other countries. Faith is preached first through witness and then in words - slowly. Pope Francis concluded his general 13
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Pope Francis blessing children, and presenting them with Rosary beads.
audience address with the mottos of his three-nation visits, saying: “Let us together praise the Lord for this pilgrimage to the land of Africa, and let us allow ourselves to be guided by its key-words: “Stand strong in faith, do not be afraid,”; “You will be my witnesses”; “Cross over to another shore.” “In Kenya, a country blessed with great human and natural resources, I spoke of the worldwide challenge of protecting the environment and creating equitable, inclusive and sustainable models of development, and the need to form our young in the ways of peace and fraternity. In Uganda, the land of the Martyrs, I encouraged the Christian community to persevere in its witness of faith and charity, and thus to be a leaven of hope for 14
society as a whole. In the Central African Republic, a country experiencing internal conflicts and great suffering, I opened the first Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy as a sign of hope and strength for its people and for all our brothers and sisters in Africa. I ask you to join me in commending them and all their aspirations to Jesus, our peace, who is himself the door which opens wide to the merciful love of our heavenly Father. That final Mass (in the Central African Republic) was marvelous. It was full of young people, a stadium full of young people. More than half of the people of the Central African Republic are less than 18 years old: it’s a promise for going forward.”
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Ten Ordinations for Mill Hill this year Earlier this year, the following young Mill Hill Missionaries were ordained to the priesthood and received their missionary appointments: 4 in India: 3 Ordained on 3/2/2016 in Hyderabad. Hrudaya Raju Muthukuru, Poulson Pasala, Ravindra Babu Kollabathina Appointments: Hurdaya Raju - Kakamega Diocese, Kenya. Poulson - Kumbo Diocese, Cameroon. Ravindra Babu - Miri Diocese, Sarawak. John Ciril Johnrose was ordained on his own on the 14/3/2016, Parakuntu. Appointment: Bamenda, Cameroon. Two in Cameroon: Ignatius Nshing Tanjua Ordained on the 6th of Feb., 2016, Njinikom. Appointment: Kotido Diocese, Uganda. Emmanuel Epie-Alobwede Nzenze Ordained on the 6th of Feb., 2016, Molyko. Appointment: Kotido Diocese, Uganda. Two in Uganda: Richard Anguyo Ordained on the 2nd April, 2016, Arua Town. Appointment: Islamabad-Rawalpindi Diocese, Pakistan John Bapist Tumusiime Ordained 31st of March, 2016 Mabonwa, Ibanda. Appointment: Nairobi, Kenya. 1 in Philippines: Edson Castete Paguntalan Ordained 5th of February, 2016, Calinog, Iloilo. Appointment: Hyderabad, Pakistan. 1 in Kenya: Lawrence Otieno Dominic Ordained 6th February, 2016, Ngong. Appointment: Bamenda, Cameroon. 15
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YOU DON’T MEET as many of them now, but when I was growing up in Liverpool, there used to be lots of men around in our parishes who were like St. Joseph. Many of them were Irish, men who worked with their hands. They were the kind of men who were totally reliable, totally loyal to the Church. You’d never find them at a discussion group but always at Mass, often rosary in hand. If you wanted something practical doing it was always Paddy or Mick you turned to. They always had a profound respect for the priest. They often said very little, at least in public, and apart from in their own homes and maybe in the pub they were often quite shy. Good, upright, solid, quiet, genuine, holy men. Men who because they said so little and kept so much in the background you might be inclined to think weren’t important. That’s exactly how I see St. Joseph. What we see of Joseph in the New Testament is no doubt just the tip of a very deep iceberg. We know that the little we glean from the scriptures is just a hint of much more; he was a very reflective, prayerful, holy, upright man. He had a deep, hidden life that sustained his public life. With most of us, there is much more going on than what’s seen on the surface, what’s seem in public. Although, as Christians, we often lead very public lives, that public life is impossible without a more hidden life. We can’t be credible witnesses to the Gospel unless there is prayer, reading, quiet devotion. We are all called to have a hidden life, a life which feeds and sustains our public life and St. Joseph can be a great example here. In the Let16
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ter to the Colossians, Paul says: you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Col 3:3). This means, at least for me, that our relationship with Christ is not something we can easily share about or explain to everyone; its meaning often remains hidden, unavailable to many people. I wonder if anyone in Nazareth or Bethlehem really understood what the centre of Joseph’s life was. His real life was hidden. So is ours sometimes, although there are, thank heaven, people in all walks of life who share the same hidden life and so can understand us. The Dutch have a very useful word Geborgenheid – it means “hidden-ness” and they use it quite a lot. Every human being needs a degree of hidden-ness, needs somewhere they can be away from public scrutiny and alone with God or just with themselves. That was a feature of Joseph’s life.
Fr. Michael Reilly his quiet constancy At home in Liverpool for 40 years our parish had Fr. Hopkins. He was a small man, but a giant of a character. A huge voice, a real wit, an extrovert, someone you would always notice in a room once met never forgotten; most people loved him, some hated him, no one could be indifferent to him. In 1981 he was succeeded by Fr. Michael Reilly – you couldn’t have two more different men. Fr. Reilly was shy, quiet. If you listened to his sermons they were excellent, but he usually delivered
them in a flat monotonous voice. He seemed in so many ways the opposite of Fr. Hopkins. But what I came to really appreciate was his quiet constancy. For 23 years he served the parish, was always totally committed, always there, always truly available. In those 23 years my life took me to Asia and Africa and Rome, through one very major crisis and a couple of minor ones. And all that time there was Fr. Reilly, a still point in my turning world, quietly being an exemplary priest. You’d see him every day in Church walking up and down saying his rosary, often in a rather shabby anorak.
What an inspiration a real St. Joseph figure for me Slowly, I came to realise what a wonderful example of priesthood he was quiet, constant, absolutely faithful and it wasn’t until he died I realised how much I’d come to love him and what an inspiration and example he was for me. When he arrived in the parish the word inspiration was the last word I would have used about him. But that’s what he was, not through anything spectacular, but through his quiet, unremarkable constancy. I came to realise that Fr. Reilly was a real St. Joseph figure and I thank God for him and all the quiet good men like him. I think of the many good Mill Hill Missionaries who quietly worked away in forgotten corners of the world, without fanfare or razzmatazz; they are also embodiments of the gifts of St. Joseph. 17
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by Fr. John Cullen
‘The Medicine of Mercy’ On the 11th of October 1962, Pope John XXIII (now St. John XXIII) opened the Second Vatican Council. In his address, he said this: “Frequently the Church has condemned errors with the greatest severity. Nowadays, however, the Spouse of Christ prefers to make use of the medicine of mercy rather than that of severity.”
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Later that night the Pope flung open the windows of his apartment in the Apostolic Palace and spoke to 400,000 people who had streamed into St. Peter’s Square that night. He said: “Let us continue to love each other by looking at each other in our encounters with one another: taking up what unites us. When you go back home, you will find your children: give them a hug and say: ‘This is a hug from the Pope.’ You will find some tears that need to be dried: so speak a good word: ‘The Pope is with us, especially in times of sadness and bitterness.’ And then all together let us encourage one another: singing, breathing, weeping, but always full of faith in Christ who helps us and who listens to us, let us continue on our journey.”
My wish is that the Jubilee be a living experience of the closeness of the Father. Fifty three years and five Popes later, we have Pope Francis in a way echoing St. John XXIII’s words when he called the Church to a Jubilee Year of Mercy, beginning on the 8th December 2015 and concluding on the feast of Christ the King – the 20th of November, 2016. Pope Francis said: “It is indeed my wish that the Jubilee be a living experience of the closeness of the Father, whose tenderness is almost tangible, so that the faith of every believer may be strengthened and thus testimony to it be more effective.” He said that in granting a Jubilee Indulgence, it is his hope that Christians
will have “a genuine experience of God’s mercy, which comes to meet each person in the Face of the Father, who welcomes and forgives, forgetting completely the sin committed.”
Jesus is the face of the Father’s Mercy Pope Francis draws the link between mercy and evangelisation, calling the entire Church to show the merciful face of God to those with whom they interact. “The experience of mercy, indeed, becomes visible in the witness of concrete signs as Jesus himself taught us … Jesus is the face of the Father’s mercy.” Pope Francis invites us to revive and recover the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy, reminding us all that the heart of the Gospel is this proclamation of God’s mercy for repentant sinners and His power to overcome sin and death in our lives. Pope Francis reminds us that this, the mercy of God, is a core doctrine of the Catholic Church…
The Richness of the Sacrament of Reconciliation I think that this Year of Mercy is a time of grace to renew in a positive way the richness of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. The words of absolution are among the most beautiful words a human can speak or hear. We should encourage more people to avail of this genuine encounter with the Lord that confession offers, just to experience hearing these words. These words saturate us and all 19
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our failings with the lavish mercy of God. And, they point to the central, true nature of our faith: the work of our redemption and our salvation has been accomplished, God “has” (not “will”) reconciled the world to Himself. The question for us all, during this Year of Mercy, is this: Do we believe, really believe, that God so loved the world, that He so loves us, that He sent his Son to reconcile us to Himself and we have received the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of our sins? It is that belief, and the actions that flow from it, that can ignite our hearts to receive the gift of God’s merciful, forgiving love as we cel-
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ebrate the Year of Mercy. In St. Luke’s Gospel, Jesus tells us that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety nine who have no need of repentance. May we all experience in our hearts, some of the music and song that is heavenly rejoicing, as we share with each other the mercy and love that we have received from God. Pope Francis is introducing the world to the heart - the real heart of our Christian faith - inviting us to “a revolution of tenderness.” (The Joy of the Gospel, 88) [Fr. John Cullen is a priest of the Diocese of Elphin]
(The Return of the Prodigal, by Rembrandt)
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SIX Mill Hill Students made a life commitment this year, and 24 became ‘Temporary Members’ a stage that pre-cedes the life commitment. Perpetual Members The six students who made their commitment for life “To Love and to Serve” as Mill Hill Missionaries will be ordained priests next year please God. Four of them made their commitment in Kisumu, Kenya, on the 21st of May: George Omuto Odero, Homa Bay, Kenya. David Masiga Odonya, Eldoret, Kenya. Cosmos Omboto Ondari, Kisii, Kenya.
Chrysantus Mbiiemieh Munu, Bamenda, Cameroom. The other two students made their commitment for life in Pune, India: Yacob Chilka, Andhra Pradesh, India; Michel Mandagiri, Andhra Pradesh, India
Temporary Members Twenty four other students became ‘Temporary Members’ of Mill Hill in 2016 - a stage that precedes the commitment for life. This group of 24 are presently in our Formation Centres: 8 in Kanunapuram, India; 8 in Bamenda, Cameroon; 7 in Jinja, Uganda; and 1 in Iloilo, the Philippines.
The Logo in this picture combines the names: ‘Mill Hill Missionaries’ and ‘St. Joseph’s Missionary Society’ (our official title). It presents Mary with the Child Jesus and Joseph with the staff as the protector of Jesus and Mary. In faint print in the background you can read the Mill Hill Motto in Latin and in English: ‘Amare et Servire’ ‘To love and to serve’ 21
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The author of this article, Matt Moran, is a former Chairman of Misean Cara, which was set up in 2004 to distribute Irish Government Aid to missionaries to support their development work. This article was published in the Irish Times. In the photo above: Fr. Sylvester Odhiambo (a Mill Hill priest from Kenya) with local people in Panyangara, Northern Uganda - Editor
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RELAND and Kenya were appointed by the United Nations to co-facilitate the final stages of negotiations for the new ‘Global Sustainable Development Goals’ that cover the years ahead – up to 2030. These were approved by the UN 22
General Assembly in September 2015. This was a great honour for Ireland. It demonstrates the positive reputation that Ireland has achieved. For a small nation it is a remarkable achievement.
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International reputation takes decades to evolve. Our reputation in development aid has been driven by values that underpin effectiveness. For many decades Irish missionaries were the unpaid ambassadors of our country as they lived and ministered amongst poor and marginalised people in developing countries. Their values were grounded in respect, dignity, compassion, integrity, and commitment to the poor.
Missionaries created the environment As various Presidents and Government Ministers have acknowledged publicly many times, our missionaries created the example and the environment upon which the country’s international aid programme was built. Many of our top business people operating internationally have commented on the reputation of Ireland that our missionaries generated, and how this pathway has helped international trade.
Currently, there are 1,500 Irish-born missionaries serving overseas Currently, there are 1,500 Irish-born missionaries serving overseas. Whilst vocations to the religious life in Ireland has seen major decline, vocations in developing countries are growing significantly. It is estimated that approx. 3,500 local or indigenous missionaries work side by side with their Irish colleagues whom they are gradually replacing in the
best tradition of mission. Those 5,000 plus missionaries constitute one of the largest groups supporting the poor and needy to become more self-sufficient and free themselves from the cycle of poverty and marginalisation.
When disasters like earthquakes or typhoons occur, the missionaries are already on the ground and they can respond quickly The development work of missionaries is recognised by government as an integral part of the Irish overseas aid programme. It is an important and unique part because it gives geographical spread into remote rural areas where other agencies tend not to work. When disasters like earthquakes or typhoons occur, the missionaries are already on the ground and they can respond quickly. We’ve seen this immediate response in Haiti, the Philippines and elsewhere in recent years.
Work being done by missionaries During a recent field visit to Kenya and Tanzania I saw the excellent work being done in very difficult circumstances by local and Irish missionaries. Their commitment and passion in helping the poor is exceptional. The uniqueness of their work is evidenced by they being part of the communities to whom they dedicate their lives. 23
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A strong feature of their development work is how they can mobilise their local community into understanding and then engaging in a structured way to help themselves. Their ability to advocate and gain the active support of local state agencies and other support systems is remarkable. For example, in many clinics and health centres it is common to find a number of state employees involved directly. The Sustainable Development Goals provide a new opportunity for missionaries. Many of the Goals are aligned with missionary values in areas such as
poverty and hunger, inclusive and equitable education, gender equality and empowerment of women, healthy lives and well-being, sustainable agriculture, sustainable management of water, environment and climate change. Misean Cara and missionaries look forward to working with Irish (Government) Aid in the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. [We will return to the Development Goals in future issues of St. Joseph’s Advocate - Editor]
The shamrock and writing on the door of the vehicle used by Sr. Noel Barron, fmsj, when she worked in Kenya indicates that it was paid for by the Irish Government. 24
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TWO MEMBERS of our Mill Hill General Council, Frs. Andrew Mukulu and Jimmy Lindero, attended the International Meeting of the staff members involved in the Formation of our Mill Hill students in Africa and Asia. The meeting took place from the 27th to 30th December, 2015, in Nairobi, Kenya. This meeting brought together all the ‘Formators’ of our various formation centres and also the Vocation Directors of the countries where we recruit. The purpose of the meeting is to exchange ideas and make recommendations for the improvement of our formation and recruitment programmes. With the opening of our new Formation Centre in Pune, India, where students study Theology, the meeting, among other things, focused on how best we can distribute our Theology students between the two centres – one in Nairobi, Kenya, and the new one in Pune, India. The meeting this year was also a testimony to the changing face of our Formation Teams with more new young Members from Africa and Asia coming on board to take on these responsibilities. This reflects the changing face of Mill Hill in general and also of our General Council; Jimmy Lindero (2nd left back row) from the Philippines and Aandrew Mukulu (right back row) from Uganda are on the General Council together with two Irishmen - Michael Corcoran (General Superior) and Des McGillicuddy.
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Late Fr. Lorenzo Bracken, mhm (26th June 1932 – 5th December 2015)
Fr. Lorenzo was born in Tullamore, Co. Offaly, the son of Samuel and Bridget Bracken, and had two sisters and one brother. He attended the local primary school and then went on to the Christian Brothers’ Secondary School where he did the Intermediate Certificate exam in 1949. He completed his secondary school education in St. Joseph’s College, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny, in 1951. After two years of Philosophy studies in Roosendaal, the Netherlands, and four years of Theology studies in St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, he was ordained priest by Cardinal William Godfrey of Westminster on 7th July 1957. He received an appointment to New Zealand. Fr. Lorenzo served for 27 years among the Maori people in Auckland, Rotorua and Murupara. A visiting member of the General Council in London wrote: ‘Fr. Lorenzo was a pastoral priest, a social worker and a domestic counsellor with people calling at his house at all times of the day and night’. He was an active supporter of workers seeking better conditions and was considered an excellent prison chaplain. He was very energetic - regularly visiting the people and serving their needs. He had a keen interest in sports; one of his colleagues spoke with admiration of Fr. Lorenzo’s contacts with the horse racing community, many of whom were of Irish ancestry. In 1984, Fr. Lorenzo was appointed to the Mission Promotion ministry in Ireland. For twenty six years, he travelled extensively throughout the country placing mission boxes in shops, pubs, post offices and private
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houses. He was enthusiastic about his work and met hundreds of people throughout the country as he placed and collected mission boxes. He had a network of helpers, foremost among them his brother Simon and his family. He did parish supplies in many areas, especially in South West Donegal, and had a healing ministry for many years. He was indefatigable in visiting families and acquaintances. Fr. Lorenzo’s health deteriorated from 2010 onwards; the effects of diabetes affected his ability to travel and his ministries. He reluctantly retired to St. Joseph’s House, Rathgar, Dublin, in 2011. He was accepted into the Cathage Nursing Home, near Tullamore, in Autumn 2012, and settled down reasonably well. During his last months, he gradually became weaker and more silent; he received the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick on 2nd December and died peacefully in the early morning of 5th December 2015. His funeral Mass in the Church of the Assumption was concelebrated by some twenty priests and attended by a large congregation. Fr. Lorenzo was laid to rest in Clonminch cemetery. May the Lord give eternal rest to one who was a tireless worker in the Vineyard. (Fr. Maurice McGill, mhm)
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Late Fr. Raymond Hogan, mhm (9th January 1926 – 17th March 2015)
Ray was born in Tirnascragh, Co. Galway, on 16th January 1926; he was the second of the three sons of William and Mary Hogan. In 1940, Ray went to St. Joseph’s College, Freshford, Co. Kilkenny, and completed his secondary education there in 1946. He then went to Roosendaal, the Netherlands, for Philosophy studies and to St. Joseph’s College, Mill Hill, London, for Theology. He was ordained on 13th July 1952. His first appointment was to studies at University College Cork. When he completed his B.A. and Higher Diploma in 1956, he was sent to teach in the Society Secondary school in Lochwinnock, Scotland; in 1959, he was transferred to St. Joseph’s College, Freshford. Fr. Ray was a conscientious teacher, a kind-hearted disciplinarian who was friendly to the students, and a man of firm opinions. In the Summer of 1965, Fr. Ray, at last, got his wish: he was appointed to the diocese of Kota Kinabalu in Sabah Province, Malaysia. In December 1965, Fr. Ray wrote to the Fr. Gerald Mahon, the Superior General: “It is only fitting, I should let you know how pleased I am to have merited the right to be a Missionary – at las.” But his time there was just 5 years; In 1970 the Muslin Government in the State of Sabah expelled Christian missionaries so Ray could not return there after his first home-leave. He was appointed Rector of Dartry House, Dublin, where he was responsible for the formation of the students studying Philosophy.
In 1975, Ray spent a year at the Liturgy Institute in Portarlington; he was then appointed to Kenya, where he spent 13 years. He returned to Dartry House, Dublin, in 1989, and was involved in pastoral ministry and mission promotion; he was a frequent visitor to his home area and wrote a short, detailed, history of Tirnascragh. In recent years Ray’s mobility gradually lessened but he remained healthy and continued to go out to Prayer and Legion of Mary meetings. Fr. Ray was admitted to St. James Hospital in early March. Visitors remarked on how mellow and prayerful Fr. Ray was as he prepared for death. He died in the early hours of St. Patrick’s Day. His remains were taken to St. Joseph’s House on the 18th March and on 19th March, St. Joseph’s Day, were transferred to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Tirnascragh. The Funeral Mass was at noon on Sunday, 20th March. Fr. Ray was laid to rest with his parents and two brothers in the family plot in the local graveyard. May Fr. Ray Hogan rest in peace. (Fr. Maurice McGill, mhm) 27
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Obituary List (Autumn 2016 - up to and including 10/7/2016)
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus have mercy on the souls of: Fr. Lorenzo Bracken, MHM Fr. Raymond Hogan, MHM Fr. Larry English, MHM (Obituary next Issue). Maura Finan, sister of the late Fr. Michael Curry, MHM
Perpetual Members: Sheila Kennedy. Promoters and Box Holders: Pascal Spelman. Members: Sister Anita McDermott, Sister Columba McNamara, Sister Catherine Power. Sister Ita Markey, Elizabeth (Betty) Beirne, Tom Bergin, Teddy Boyce, Sylvia Briody, Mary Browne, Eily Buckley, Mary Burke, Mairin Byrne, Philomena Byrne, Patrick Cahill, Sean Canniffe, Mary Cleere, Michael Coleman, Annie Coyle, Mary W Creedon, Patrick Cunningham, Phyllis Cunningham, Patrick Dawson, Aaron Devlin. Mrs M Delahunty, Mary Devereaux, Patrick Deveraux, Pat Donnelly, Eileen Doody, Jack Doyle, Mary Duffy, Joan Fahey, Finnuola Crowley, Patrick English, Mark, Alice & John Foldy, Doreen Farrelly, Helen Ferry, Maureen Fogarty, Matthew Garry, Kathleen D Gill, Nancy Gilley, Kathleen Glynn, Molly Gorman, Anne Maria Gould, Mary Grimes, Mary Rose Grimes, Thomas F Guiney, Mary Hannick, Martaret Halley, Margaret Hanratty, Nora Hoolan, Mary Jackman, Julia Jennings, Mary Kearney, Margaret Kennedy, Lar Kenny, Kathleen Killeen, Rose Kilmartin, Imelda King, Rose 16 28
Kirkland, Philomena Lawless, Mary Leo, Anne Leonard, Gretta Lester, Pauline Lester, Con Lynch, Eileen Lynch, Kathleen Lynch, Kathleen Lyons, Monica Maher, Anthony Marley, Patrick Merriman, Bernard Moloney, John Moore, Mary Ann Moran, Bridget Mulhall, Maura Murphy, Paddy Murphy, Peter Murphy, Tom Murphy, Grace McCallion, Michael McCaughey,Teague McGill, Aisling McGinley-Quigg, Mary McGirr, Sheila McGrath, Sean McKenna, Florrie Neary, Pat Nolan, Reg O’Byrne, Michael O’Callaghan, Lily O’Connell, Mary O’Connor, Elaine O’Driscoll, Sean O’Dwyer, Lily O’Keeffe, Aine
O’Meara, James O’Neill, Mary O’Neill, Maria Reilly, Sheila O’Shea, Mary Reilly, Josephine Renehan, Gus Roche, Anne Ruddy, Damien Ryan, Martin Ryan, Margaret Sharkey, Hughie Sherlock, Eamon Simms, Kieran Slattery, Dympna Smyth, Grace Sproule, Kathleen Staunton, Patrick Tiernan, Una Twomey.
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• • • • •
It keeps all our friends and supporters in touch with our missionary work. It promotes devotion to St. Joseph - our Mill Hill Patron and Protector. It is published from our house in Kilkenny. There are three issues per year plus a Calendar at Christmas. It is sent to all our members. Membership is e10.00 per year, £7.00 for those in the sterling area, $12 for the U.S. Most members give generously to help our missionary work and we deeply appreciate their great support.
If you would like to become a member and receive the Advocate, please contact: Fr. Director, Mill Hill Missionaries, Waterford Road, Kilkenny. I enclose e10 for: (Please tick)
r New Membership r Renewal of Membership (If you have not renewed) Name . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Address: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................................................... Perhaps you might interest a friend in becoming a member. All help for our missionary apostolate is deeply appreciated, and you share in the prayers and good works of our missionaries.
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