Missionaries of the Sacred

Thanks to your generosity, we are able to bring God’s love to many people through parish and diocesan ministry

MSC on the East Coast: Strengthening Faith and Community

The MSC strive to spread God’s love, whether it is through our work in for­eign missions or ministries here at home. Part of spreading God’s love is helping to create healthy commu­nities where people can experience God’s love in a tangible way and find support in their spiritual journeys. In the United States, parish ministry and participation in diocesan lead­ership are both important parts of our efforts to strengthen communi­ties and accompany people along the journey of faith. In this issue we focus on the MSC communities on the east coast.

Parish Ministry

The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are present in 17 parishes throughout the country. Parishes are communities, an ideal place to both teach the faith and reach out to others so that they may experience God’s love. Through parish activities and groups, people can find support and comfort, as well as a place to share their joy with each other. At baptisms, marriages and anniversary celebrations, parish communities celebrate life and joy, but, like a good friend, parishes also offer support when their members are struggling, whether through regular community prayer for members who are sick or serving in the military or groups for people struggling with the death of a loved one. Besides Mass and confessions, holy hours, bible study classes and prayer groups help support people’s spiritual nourishment, while picnics and other events bring together people of different ages and from different backgrounds. Parishes also regularly reach out to the larger com­munity, putting Catholic Social Teach­ing in action.

Click the links for a glimpse of how MSC in Pennsylvania and New York are spreading God’s love through their parish ministry: MSC Parish Ministry in Pennsylvania; MSC Parish Ministry in New York.

Diocesan Positions:

The MSC also participate in the leadership of a diocese to help further the mission of the Church on a larger scale, through various ministries that support people, fami­lies and parishes as they try to live a holy, fulfilled life.

For many years, Fr. E. Michael Camilli, MSC has served as the Secretariat for Catholic Life and Evangelization for the Diocese of Allentown. He retired on July 1st, but was asked to stay on and so is continuing to serve until September 3rd. The office of Catholic Life and Evangelization encompasses many ministries and activities including: adult formation, campus ministry, interreligious dialogue, fam­ily life ministries, Hispanic affairs, pro-life activities, youth and young adult ministries, social action, and ministry with persons with disabilities. Con­gratulations Fr. Camilli on your many years of dedicated service.

Fr. John Paul, MSC also serves the Diocese of Allentown, as the Judicial Vicar for the Office of the Tribunal. Through his work, Fr. Paul strives to spread God’s love by reflecting the Church’s pastoral concern for each person as he works with people who are seeking an annulment. As the Tri­bunal website notes, although “noth­ing can ever prepare a person for the pain of divorce”, it is important that people going through such pain and seeking an annulment have access to competent and pastoral Church leaders.