Pope Francis has named Fr. Rafael Rodríguez, MSC, the First Assistant General, Bishop of the Diocese of La Vega in the Dominican Republic. Our sincere congratulations and best wishes to Bishop elect Rafael! This is a great honor for our Congregation and a further confirmation (with the appointment of Bishop Plinio in 2007 to be auxiliary bishop of Santiago) of the missionary zeal and dedication of our Canadian and Dominican confreres who for eighty years have sacrificed so much to build up the Church in the Dominican Republic.

In his Message for Lent 2015 Pope Francis addresses the globalization of indifference – a frequent theme in his homilies and talks.  He invites us to reflect with him on three texts from the Bible – 1 Cor 12:26, Gen 4:9, and Jas 5:8.

“Make your hearts firm” (Jas 5:8)

‘A Life of Love’, is the life story of Marie Louise Hartzer, the first Congregational Leader of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. It is told in story and song, the text having been written by Sr Juliette Baker, OLSH, and available on CD. There is also a transcript of this CD for those who wish to have a printed copy for reference.

Throughout the month of February, Sr Robyn Reynolds has been  conducting a series of Reflection days which  have  focussed  on the document of Pope Francis, Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel) and our new Constitutions.

Catholics in Australia support Pope Francis' action against human trafficking

Australia's bishops and religious have joined the global call of Pope Francis to mark Feb. 8, the Feast of St. Josephine Bakhita, as the world day of prayer, reflection, and action against human trafficking. St. Josephine Bakhita was kidnapped and sold into slavery, and later became a Canossian nun and was the first person from Sudan to be canonized, by St. John Paul II in 2000.

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Resources

pdf  Human Trafficking

pdf  Prayer Service for an End to Human Trafficking

Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity.  We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that’s become even more aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society, international security and laws, the economy, families and communities.
—Pope Francis

(1946-1990)
Catechist, Martyr, Lay member of the Chevalier Family

In the morning of January 13, 2015, the Ordinary Congress (cardinals and bishops) of the Congregation cast a positive vote.  During the afternoon of January 22nd, Pope Francis recognized the martyrdom of Benedict Daswa and ordered the publication of a decree attesting to this.  Thus the Roman Pontiff has solemnly declared him “Blessed.”

Towards the end of last year Pope Francis called on all men and women of good will to fight for the abolishment of the death penalty in “all of its forms” .

We received this link from CLRI, (NSW)  with the following information

Andrew and Myuran, two young Australians, face execution in Indonesia. They have admitted trying to traffic drugs to Australia. They have exhausted their appeals. All that can save them is clemency from Indonesia’s President, Joko Widodo. We ask you to help in respectfully seeking clemency.

For more information : http://mercycampaign.org/petition

The nine Sisters in our International Community at Bentleigh are now into their final weeks of their 3 month program. At the moment they are on an 8 day retreat ‘Life’s Healing Journey’ with Fr Chris Chaplin msc.  After this we have a trip to Werribee Zoo, compliments of Mick Renwick… chair of Board at the College.

On January 1st each year the Church marks the World Day of Peace, a tradition begun by Pope Paul VI who held the first such observance in January 1968. This year Pope Francis has chosen to focus his second World Peace Day message on the theme of modern slavery and trafficking, with the title “Slaves no more, but Brothers and Sisters”. 

This past week has been a time of great rejoicing as family and friends gathered with the OLSH sisters to celebrate the remarkable lives of six OLSH sisters.

On 10th January 2015, Sisters Yvonne Berecry and Margaret Jennings celebrated 60 years of Religious Profession and Sisters Rita Clancy, Yvonne Gleeson, Marilyn Knolder, Robyn Reynolds celebrated 50 years of Religious Profession.