On the 9th December 2005 the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) a group of brothers and priests from the Catholic Church is marking it’s founding in Australia by a French priest in 1885 with a Mass and luncheon catering for more than 600 people.
Founded by Fr Jules Chevalier in 1854 its mission quoted from their website is to: “Help people experience God's presence in their lives, so as to come to know the love God has for them.”
The first MSC base was established in Botany in 1885 and it currently has over 200 brothers priest over the provinces of Australia. Its members in Australia are very diverse including: “The founder of the first radio station in Sydney; an MSC brother who worked with the militant Darwin wharfie so people in an isolated leprosarium were properly fed; Or perhaps the young men they educated and became a High Court Judge, a state Premier, or a Police Commissioner. All these were members of the Australian province of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.”
The MSC is involve: “In parishes especially in areas with large Aboriginal populations, schools and colleges, media, chaplaincies, running retreats and spirituality centres, mission and justice offices and supporting overseas communities.”
The celebration will occur on the 10th December 2005 in the Kensington, Sydney East and the guests include: “Cardinal Clancy, retired Archbishop of Sydney who will join Provincial Superior of the MSC’s and Fr Tim Brennan MSC in celebrating the Mass. Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir AC will address the luncheon and Sir Gerard Brennan, retired Chief Justice of the High Court and former student of MSC College, Downlands, Toowoomba, will deliver the keynote address.”