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Fr Valentine [Val] Hynes, SMA [RIP]

Fr Val Hynes, SMA, died peacefully in the St Theresa's Nursing Unit at the SMA House, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork, Ireland on Friday...

A Short Prayer for Sunday

This is the seventh and last in a series of short prayers, one for each day of the week,  recorded by Parishioners from SMA...

A Short Prayer for Saturday

This is the sixth in a series of short prayers, one for each day of the week,  recorded by Parishioners from SMA Parish Wilton,...

A Short Prayer for Friday

This is the fifth in a series of short prayers, one for each day of the week,  recorded by Parishioners from SMA Parish Wilton,...

A Short Prayer for Thursday

This is the fourth in a series of short prayers, one for each day of the week,  recorded by Parishioners from SMA Parish Wilton,...

A Short Prayer for Wednesday

This is the third in a series of short prayers, one for each day of the week,  recorded by Parishioners from SMA Parish Wilton,...

Fr Seamus Nohilly SMA – Funeral Homily

Fr Seamus Nohilly died on Saturday, 24 February 2024, in the Mercy University Hospital, Cork City. After reposing in the SMA House, Wilton, on...

A Short Prayer for Tuesday

This is the second in a series of short prayers, one for each day of the week,  recorded by Parishioners from SMA Parish Wilton,...

A Short Prayer for Monday

This is the first in a series of short prayers, just about thirty seconds, one each day in this week of Lent. They were...

Fr Cornelius Murphy SMA – Funeral Homily

Fr Con Murphy died unexpectedly in the SMA House, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork on Thursday, 8 February 2024. After reposing in the SMA...

A LENTEN REFLECTION – from Fr Gus O’Driscoll SMA

This the fourth in our series of Lenten Reflections comes from Fr Gus O Driscoll SMA.    Lent for him is a time to live...

MARCH 2024 | For the martyrs of our day, witnesses to Christ

“The martyrs are a sign that we’re on the right path” In this video message from Pope Francis he requests prayers for the new martyrs...

‘LET US ALL SAY: ENOUGH … STOP THE WAR!’ – IRISH BISHOPS STATEMENT

On the second day of the 2024 Spring General Meeting of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Maynooth, the bishops called for an urgent...

SMA International News – March 2024

Welcome to the SMA International News for March 2024.  This month our news bulletin is shorter than usual and concerns three events associated with...

Synodality: What’s it all About? – by Michael McCabe SMA

Introduction Just as the concept of ‘inculturation’ suddenly appeared on the horizon of ecclesial discourse about fifty years ago, so the concept of ‘synodality’ has...

A LENTEN REFLECTION – Fr Colm Nilan SMA

  This week's Reflection is from Fr Colm Nilan SMA who lives in the SMA Community in Claregalway, Ireland.  Lent is a time of preparation, of...

Fr Seamus Nohilly SMA [RIP]

The members of the Society of African Missions are mourning the unexpected death of their confrere, Fr Seamus Nohilly, who died peacefully in...

Lenten Reflection – Fr John Denvir SMA

In this, the second in our series of Lenten Reflections, Fr John Denvir SMA reflects on his favourite colour - Purple.  He considers the...

DROMANTINE RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER – 2024 PROGRAMME

            Visitors to Dromantine are invariably impressed by the stunning beauty of the early 19th century house, extensive grounds, lake, colourful woodlands and pleasant walks...

A LENTEN REFLECTION – Fr Anthony Kelly SMA

Today Ash Wednesday, and also St Valentine's Day, we bring you the first in a series of reflections and short videos that will be...

Living Lent

The cornerstone of Lent is the call to conversion which commences on Ash Wednesday. Sometimes the impression is given that such conversion is change...

FEBRUARY 2024 | For the terminally ill

Pope Francis asks that the terminally ill and their families be cared for and assisted The Pope Video for February, the month in which the Church...

Fr Cornelius [Con] Murphy SMA [RIP]

The members of the Society of African Missions are mourning the death of Fr Con Murphy, SMA. Fr Con died unexpectedly at the African...

Join with the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking – Feast...

The Church's International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking takes place every year on February 8th, which is also the feast day...

Fr Frank Coltsmann, SMA [RIP]

The death has taken place on Saturday, 3 February 2024, of Fr Frank Coltsmann, SMA. Fr Frank died peacefully in the St Theresa's Nursing...

SMA International News – February 2024

Welcome to the SMA International News for February 2024.  As usual we have three reports from SMA's and OLA's around the world.  1 – From...

Towards a Synodal Church in Mission

A brief look at the Synthesis Report of the First Universal Session of the Synod on Synodality by Michael McCabe SMA  Introduction The first universal session...

Lourdes Novena: 3-11 February 2024

Saturday 3rd to Sunday 11th February 2024, we join in a Novena of Prayer to Mary, under the title of Our Lady of Lourdes. Visitors...

SMA Zambia Golden Jubilee Celebration

Last December the Divine Mercy Parish, Ndola, Zambia was the venue for a celebration marking the 50th Anniversary of the  arrival of Irish SMA's...

Prayer for Christian Unity 2024 – Reflection for Saturday 20th January

This reflection is based on the Mass readings for Saturday 20th January.  In the week of Prayer for Christian Unity today’s readings are – to...

Not a moment to waste

A recent report by George Lee, for RTE News, speaking about the latest information form the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service makes for grim...

SMA International News – January 2024

Welcome to the first Bulletin of the SMA International News for 2024.  Our thanks to all who have contributed to making these over the...

EPIPHANY 2023 – Wilton

The Feast of Epiphany brings to an end the Nativity narrative – set in Bethlehem – by the entry of the three Wise Men...

JANUARY 2024 | For the gift of diversity in the Church

In this the first Pope's Prayer intention for 2024, Pope Francis asks us to pray for "the gift of diversity in the Church.  We are...

MESSAGE OF POPE FRANCIS FOR WORLD DAY OF PEACE 1 JANUARY 2024

Below is the text of Pope Francis's message for World Day of Peace.  The theme is Artificial Intelligence, a topic we have all heard...

Christmas is the night of joy and liberation from slavery: missionaries urge the faithful...

"Instead of working only on setting up the physical nativity scene, we insisted on building the interior nativity scene, the nativity scene of our...
Sharon Mollerus (CC BY 2.0

A Christmas Meditation

              ‘The image sticks in the mind. A young woman, her heavily pregnant belly heaving, as she is carried on a stretcher away from a...

DECEMBER 2023| For those with disabilities

Pope Francis asks the Church and civil institutions to embrace inclusion and to foster the active participation of people with disabilities  Pope Francis asks for prayers...

Reflection for the last week of Advent – Fr Seamus Nohilly SMA

For the past three weeks we have brought you Reflections from SMA Fathers focusing on different aspects of our faith and Christian living as...

“Transition away from” – COP28 from the perspective of Laudate Deum

The 11th hour inclusion of the phrase “Transition away from” fossil fuels marked the end of COP28. This, statement hailed by some as “historic”...

REFLECTION FOR THE THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – Fr Anthony Kelly SMA

Each week until Christmas a short video reflection on the Season of Advent will be published on this website.  Each reflection has been recorded...

REFLECTION FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT – Fr Des Corrigan SMA

  Each week until Christmas a short video reflection on the Season of Advent will be published on this website.  Each reflection has been recorded...

A Reflection based on the Readings for Saturday, 9th December 2023

Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26      Matthew 9:35 – 10: 1,5,6-8 Matthew’s preferred image for Jesus is that of teacher. This is most evident in the Sermon on...

Pope Francis to COP28: ‘Choose life, choose the future!’

Below is the message of Pope Francis to COP28 that was delivered by Cardinal Parolin on his behalf.  This powerful and hard hitting message...

SMA International News – December 23

Welcome to the final edition of the SMA International News for 2023.  We round of this year with reports from:  Zambia - we preview the...

REFLECTION FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT – Fr Damian Bresnahan SMA

Each week until Christmas a short video reflection on the Season of Advent will be published on this website.  Each reflection has been recorded...
Kittelendan, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Season of Advent

Halloween is barely over when Advent arrives, at least in the shops and magazines. The secular appropriation of the season is commercial, concentrated on...

COP28 and Laudate Deum

COP stands for "conference of the parties", with parties being the 197 countries that have signed up to the UN climate treaty (UNFCCC) to...

Laudate Deum”: a call to respond to the Climate Crisis

In October 2023 Pope Francis published this Apostolic Exhortation in which he develops themes expressed in his 2015 encyclical, Laudato Si’  Its opening paragraphs...

Respect for Mother Earth and harmony between peoples in the life of a missionary

You can see many two-story fortified houses scattered in the meadows, in the forests, and on the hills of Benin Republic and Togo. This...

NOVEMBER 2023| For the Pope

Francis opens his heart and asks for prayer to fulfill his mission In  his video for November, Francis reveals that “being Pope is also a process”...

SMA International News – November 23

Welcome to the SMA International News Bulletin for or the Month of November.  In this edition we have stories from:  ROME - Where we hear of...
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The Good Shepherd

Based on the reading for Saturday 4th November 2023 - Memorial of Saint Charles Borromeo: Romans 12:3-13:2; John 10:11-16.) A couple of years ago a...

Going Forwards…

Based on the Mass Readings for Saturday, 28th October, 2023 Feast of Saints Simon and Jude   (Readings: Eph 2:19-22; Luke 6:12-19) Today is the last working...

Moving tribute from a new bishop to his father

Bishop-elect Gerald Mamman Musa, the first Hausa-speaking Nigerian to be appointed bishop in Nigeria, thanks his late catechist-father for instilling in him a passion...

Mission Saturday – A reflection for the Month of Mission 2023

Based on the Mass readings for Saturday 21st October 2023 Jesus does not usually call attention to himself in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke...

Peace is not made with weapons – Fr Luigi Maccalli SMA

While in captivity I understood that peace is not made with weapons "I am very saddened by what I hear and see in the...

OCTOBER 2023| For the Synod – Video Message of Pope Francis

Pope Francis invites us to embrace listening and dialogue through the Synod: The Pope Video for the month of September is a call to pray...

Billiri Parish – helping ourselves and help from our friends

Billiri Mission, called St Andrew's Parish in Bauchi State, Nigeria was founded by SMA’s in 1953.  It was the first parish established in an...

Our Lady of the Rosary – 7th October 2023

In the first week of October we have commemorated and celebrated the lives of three of the  greatest saints in the church – Saints Thérèse, Francis...

MISSIONARY VOICES – PODCAST 5

This week we bring you the fifth and last Missionary Voices Podcast in this series.  Sr Juvenale Yevide OLA who lives and works in Maradi,...

SMA International News – October 23

Welcome to the October edition of SMA International News.  This month we hear from   Côte d’Ivoire -  we hear of a spiritual and cultural experience...

Feast of St Jerome, 30th September 2023

Today we celebrate the Memorial of Saint Jerome – associated with the Bible, long advertised by The Jerome Biblical Commentary – now in its...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES No 4

To mark the Season of Creation a collaboration between the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and the Society of African Missions has produced...

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – 24th Sept

The Church has marked World Day of Migrants and Refugees since 1914. It is always an occasion to express concern for different vulnerable people...

Dromantine hosts Novena in honour of the Little Flower

As well as the National Novena in honour of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, the Little Flower, which is taking place at St Joseph's SMA...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES No 3

To mark the Season of Creation  a collaborative effort between the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles and the Society of African Missions has...

National Novena in honour of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus 2023

National Novena in honour of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus 2023 This year's Novena in St Joseph's Church Blackrock Road, Cork takes place from...

Feast of Saints Cornelius [Pope] and Cyprian, martyrs

Feast of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian, martyrs St. Cyprian was originally a pagan public speaker and teacher from Carthage who converted to Christianity...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES No 2

The Season of Creation  began on the first of September with the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends on the fourth of...

Memories – a Video about Wilton and Mary O’Flynn

Some weeks ago an article about the retirement of Mary O' Flynn following her many years of service in SMA House Wilton was published...

September 2023| For people living on the margins

Let us pray for those people on the margins of society in subhuman living conditions, that they may not be neglected by institutions and...

SMA OLA PODCAST SERIES to mark the Season of Creation

The Season of Creation  began on the first of September with the World Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends on the fourth of...

SMA International News – September 2023

Welcome to this edition of SMA International News for the Month of September.  This month we have stories from: Rome: We hear about the Doctoral...

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE WORLD DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE...

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PASSION of John the Baptist 29/08/23

Yesterday we celebrated Saint Augustine. One of the lines associated with him ‘Late have I loved you’ might be changed for today’s saint –...

AFRICA – The rush for lithium: an opportunity for the continent?

Rome (Fides News Agency) - Africa holds 30-75% of the world's reserves of lithium, phosphate, copper, chromium, manganese, gold, platinum, diamonds and aluminum Some...

SMA SUMMER CAMPS 2023

          The SMA Summer Camp in Dromantine began over fifty years ago – This year, during August, over 600 participants attended, with two weeks for...

SMA International News – August 2023

Welcome to the August edition of the SMA International News.  This month’s bulletin features stories from:  ROME: We hear about a visit of OLA Sisters to...

SMA Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Opening its Doors to African and Asian Students...

In 1952 a decision was made by the SMA to admit African candidates to the Society. However, due to the fact that there were...

World Day Against Trafficking in Persons2023

The UN designated “World Day Against Trafficking" in Persons, marked on the 30th of July each year, highlights the fact that globally more than...

SMA Sponsor, Kathleen Lowry reaches 107 years

Mrs Kathleen Lowry celebrates her 107th birthday this month. Hailing from Tuam, Co Galway, Mrs Lowry has sponsored the training and upkeep of  SMA ...

BEGINNINGS – The Birth of the SMA Irish Province – a New Documentary Film

        The 19th of July 2023 is the one hundred and second anniversary of the death of Fr Joseph Zimmerman SMA, a Swiss national, who...

“I count myself Lucky and Blessed” – Mary O Flynn Retires

            An event to mark the retirement of Mary O’Flynn, who began work with the SMA on the 3rd of October 1977, took place on...

JULY 2023| For a Eucharistic Life

Opening ourselves to Jesus, opening ourselves to the world: Pope Francis invites us to put the Eucharist at the centre of our lives Let us pray...

SMA Jubilee Celebrations in Dromantine

              The Society of African Missions recently celebrated the Silver and Golden Jubilees of four SMA priests: Father Kevin Mulhern SMA from Waterside, Derry City...

SMA International News – July 2023

Welcome to this edition of SMA International News For the Month of JULY.  In this edition we have stories from:  LYON and we have a report from...

SMA Parish Wilton supports the Field of Dreams

The Parishioners of St Joseph’s Parish Wilton have a long established a tradition of generously supporting charities down through the years. These have ranged...

The I64th Anniversary of the Death of the SMA Founder – 25th June 2023

The 25th of June 2023 is the 164th Anniversary of the death of the SMA Founder, the Venerable Melchior de Marion Brésillac.  We are thankful...

Gold and Silver Jubilees of SMA’s Celebrated in Tanzania

At the end of April 2023, one Golden and three Silver Jubilees were celebrated at the SMA District House in Mwanza, Tanzania,  The event...

JUNE 2023| For a non-violent culture

“Let us put a stop to this horror of torture!”: Pope Francis’s strong appeal to the international community  The new video contains a powerful call for the...
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Dromantine Sunday – SMA Open Day – Family Fun Day 2023

The Dromantine Sunday - Open Day and Family Fun Day takes place in  Dromantine this Sunday, from 1pm to 5.30pm. There are all sorts of...

SMA International News – June 2023

Welcome to the June edition of the International News.  This month we have stories from Spain, Lyon, France and from Rome, Italy. First we go...

SMA GHANA – A Glance at the Pastoral Dimension of Our Life and...

After the resurrection, Christ commissioned his disciples in these words: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father...

Papal Award for Margret O’Regan of Blackrock Parish

During  Mass at the SMA Church in Blackrock Road on Sunday 21st of May, Margaret O’Regan, a parishioner and volunteer, was presented with the ...

Protecting Biodiversity – COP15

This is the second article to mark Laudato Si Week 2023, which this year has the theme of "Hope for the Earth, Hope for...

Caring for Our Common Home – Laudato Si’ Week 2023

To mark the eighth anniversary of the publication of the encyclical “Laudato Si' – On Care for Our Common Home” this week (on 24...

HOPE FOR THE EARTH. HOPE FOR HUMANITY

        Laudato Si' Week 2023 will take place from May 21 to 28.  It marks the eighth anniversary of the publication of the encyclical. The theme...

AFRICA/GHANA – Interreligious dialogue, education, evangelization in the Kingdom of Ashanti

Below is an article published in the Agenzia Fides Newsletter of 11.05.23 concerning the work of the SMA in the Kingdom of Ashanti in...

MAY 2023| For a non-violent culture

The Pope asks ecclesial movements and groups to rediscover their evangelizing mission This new video message is directed to ecclesial movements and groups: “they are...

Novena of Prayer and Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Knock Fri 19th – Sat...

This year we celebrate the 43rd National SMA Pilgrimage and Novena of Prayer to Our Lady of Knock.   We are especially happy this year as...

SMA International News – May 2023

Welcome to this month's SMA International News.  In this bulletin we have reports from: Ivory Coast: a report from the 2023 MISAL - the international...

Thank you for a job well done

In Parishes all around the world Easter, and the weeks leading up to it were busy preparing and organizing for Holy Thursday, Good Friday...

Fr John Dunleavy SMA – Funeral homily

Fr John Dunleavy, SMA, died on Friday, 14 April 2023 in the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. He was 86...

Late Fr John Dunleavy SMA

Fr John Dunleavy, SMA, died peacefully on Friday, 14 April 2023, in the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. Fr John was 86 years old...

April 2023| For a non-violent culture

No to violence, no to war, no to arms: Pope Francis calls for a culture of peace Sixty years after St. John XXIII published the encyclical Pacem in...

Jesus is Risen!

The famous Christian author (Narnia etc.), C. S. Lewis, said that Jesus could only be one of three things: 1) a habitual liar (meaning...

Holy Saturday – the Easter Candle

The Easter Candle which is lit during the Easter Vigil brings out the message of Easter better than many words. In the candle, which...

Ecce Homo – ‘Behold the Human Being’

In his description of the trial of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel, St John narrates how Pilate had Jesus brutally flogged: And the soldiers wove...

Mass of the Lord’s Supper – Holy Thursday 2023

Below is an edited version of a Reflection written by Fr Jim Kirstein first published in 2018.  Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper In a television...

Fr Fintan Daly, SMA – Obituary

Fr Fintan Daly, SMA - Obituary When the Venerable Bishop Melchior de Marion Brésillac founded his Society of African Missions on the 8th of...

SMA International News – April 2023

Welcome to the April edition of the SMA International News. In this Bulletin we have reports from: Liberia: Where we join an annual pilgrimage in...

A Lenten Journey of Faith

Our thanks to Fr Patrickson Francis, an Indian SMA, who sent us this story and photographs from Sierra Leone.  The SMA Buedu Mission Lenten Pilgrimage...

EARTH HOUR 2023

"The ecological crisis is also a summons to profound interior conversion…Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life...

Mission is an adventure worth living – Father Giovanni Benetti SMA

Below is an article published by Agenzia Fides about an Italian SMA living and working in the  Brésillac' Centre - the SMA House of...

St Patrick’s Day Message 2023 – President Michael D Higgins

Below are highlights from the message of President Higgins which contains a strong endorsement of inclusion and welcome at a time when xenophobia, racism...

MARCH 2023| For victims of abuse – Video Message of Pope Francis

“Asking for forgiveness is not enough” Pope Francis demands answers, actions, and safe spaces for victims of abuse. This month’s message is dedicated to all the...

SMA International News – March 2023

Welcome to the SMA International News for the month of March. This month we have news reports from, Italy, Cote d'Ivoire and Benin Republic.  From...

Fr Fintan Daly SMA – Funeral Homily

Fr Fintan Daly died peacefully on Ash Wednesday, 22 February 2023, in the African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on...

Homily of Pope Francis at the Ash Wednesday Mass

“Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor 6:2). With these words, the Apostle Paul helps us enter...

Late Fr Fintan Daly, SMA

The Archbishops, priests, religious and the faithful of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, Nigeria, along with his family and confreres in the Society of African...

The War – One year on.

A few weeks ago Fr Grzegorz Kucharski, the Superior of the Polish SMA Province, came to Ireland to say thank you to the Irish...

Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2023

  Message of the Holy Father Lenten Penance and the Synodal Journey Dear brothers and sisters! The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all recount the episode of...

FILM ABOUT WILTON PARISH

In 1982 St Josephs, Wilton officially became a Parish of the Diocese of Cork and Ross, beginning a new phase in the long involvement...

PEACE ON EARTH – Pacem in Terris

Below is a piece from the JPIC Roma NewsBrief for January-February 2023.  It speaks of the enduring relevance of Pacem in Terris promulgated in...

PEACE

Below is the text of a homily preached by Fr Kevin O'Gorman SMA on Sunday February 5th, during the Novena in honour of our...

St Josephine Bakhita – International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking

In the Church calendar February 8th, is both the feast of St Bakhita and also International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. St...

SMA International News – February 2023

Welcome to the February edition of the SMA International News. This month we have stories from, Togo, Ghana, Ireland and a report about the...

FOR PARISHES – Video Message of Pope Francis for February 2023

We pray that parishes, placing communion at the centre, may increasingly become communities of faith, fraternity and welcome towards those most in need. What does...
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UN Committee for the Rights of the Child – Review of Ireland.

On the 24th and 25th of January the UN’s Committee on the Rights of the Child will review Ireland during its meeting in Geneva. A...

Nigerian politicians accused, following priest’s burning to death

In an interview with FIDES - the Vatican News Agency - Bishop Luka Sylvester Gopep, Auxiliary bishop of Minna diocese, Nigeria, spoke of the...

For Educators – Video Message of Pope Francis for January 2023

Educate with fraternity: the extra ingredient that Francis is asking of educators in his first Pope Video for 2023 In the first Pope Video for 2023, Francis emphasizes the...

Pope Benedict XVI: Theologian, Pope and Man of God

The SMA community in Blackrock Road, Cork, celebrated Mass for the happy repose of the soul of Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI on the day of...

SMA International News – January 2023

Welcome to the first edition of the SMA International News of 2023.  This month we have stories from Tanzania, Ireland and Nigeria.  From Ireland we...

The Spiritual Testament of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Following the death of  Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI the Holy See has released his Spiritual Testament dated 29 August 2006.   My spiritual testament When, at this late...

A Christmas 2022 Reflection

“The Word was made flesh and made his home among us” Dear Friends, Christmas is a time when we try to re-connect with family and...

CHRISTMAS – SERVICE OF CAROLS

A Christmas Carol Service organised by SMA Parish Wilton. The Service has an international flavour with choirs and singers from, the Philippines, Finland, Ukraine, India,...

SMA International News – December 2022

Welcome to the December Bulletin of the SMA International News.  This month we have stories from France, Benin Republic and Canada.  We hear from France,...

Conference Of Parties (COP)What Happened?

Below is the text SMA Justice Briefing No 47 In 2022 the severe impacts of climate change were made clearly visible through widespread floods, heat,...

SMA Wilton Parish offers YOU an alternative to TV!

The SMA Wilton parish are broadcasting a one-hour selection of interesting material from 4 -5pm and from 8 - 9pm daily.  You will find meditations, spiritual music,...

Urgency and responsibility should orient work of COP27 – Holy See

We have reached the final day of COP27 and again, as in previous years, it is likely to go overtime as participants haggle over...

NOVEMBER | For children who suffer – the Pope’s Prayer Intention

We pray for children who are suffering, especially those who are homeless, orphans, and victims of war; may they be guaranteed access to education...

SMA International News – November 2022

Welcome to the November  bulletin of the SMA International News.  This month we have stories from France, Togo and Zambia.  We hear from Lyons, about...

JOURNEYING TOGETHER FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE: An African perspective- part 2

Today, by way of preparation for he COP27, we bring you the second part of the African Climate Dialogues which give an African perspective...

JOURNEYING TOGETHER FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE: An African perspective- part 1

In advance of COP27 we publish the first part of a Communique from the AFRICAN Climate Dialogues.  These took the form of five sessions...

Fr Michael Nohilly SMA [RIP] – Obituary

Fr Michael Augustine Nohilly SMA died peacefully in the Cork University Hospital on Tuesday, 27 September 2022, aged 76 years. Fr Nohilly was buried...

Month of the Holy Souls – November 2022

November, beginning with the Feasts of All Saints and All Souls, is traditionally the month in which the Church remembers the dead and in...

A Mission Sunday Homily – by Fr John Horgan SMA

Fr John Horgan SMA worked in Africa as a Missionary for many years. He is now 89 years old and a member of the...

COP27

The UN Climate Change Conference (the official name for climate Conferences Of Parties) has happened every year since 1995. These two-week long gatherings are...

OCTOBER | For a Church Open to Everyone – the Pope’s Prayer Intention

We pray for the Church; ever faithful to, and courageous in preaching the Gospel, may the Church be a community of solidarity, fraternity and...

SMA International News – October 2022

Welcome to the October bulletin of the SMA International News.  This month we have stories from Burkina Faso, Ireland and Benin Republic.  We hear a...

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – Sunday 25th September

PRAYER Lord, make us bearers of hope, so that where there is darkness, your light may shine, and where there is discouragement, confidence in the future may be reborn. Lord,...

National Novena in honour of St Thérèse of the Child Jesus 2022

Friday, 23rd September to Saturday 1st October 2022 at 7.30pm each evening (7.00pm on Saturday) Once again we are preparing to host our annual SMA...

INTERNATIONAL DAY – SMA Parish Wilton supporting Ukraine through SMA Poland.

Wilton SMA parish, since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, has responded very positively to the plight of the Ukrainian people.  Parishioners collected...

SMA International News – September 2022

Welcome to the September bulletin of the SMA International News.  This month we have stories from, Ireland, Ivory coast and Zambia. We hear about the...

FOOD FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY – Part Six

We continue with the sixth in our series of articles under the heading of Food for our Faith Journey.  This week the focus is...

Blind Children Living with Dignity and Freedom in Niger Republic

"Our appeal was followed by all, the children and young people and their families", Fr Raphael Casamayor SMA told FIDES about the recent initiatives...

SHALOM Empowerment Center addresses violence against women and children

The Shalom Centre for Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation (SCCRR) is based in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. Founded in 2009 by SMA Father Padraig Devine,...

SEASON OF CREATION 2022 – 1st Sept to 4th Oct

The Season of Creation begins on 1 September, World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, and ends on 4 October, the Feast...

FOOD FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY – Part Five

Welcome to the fifth part of Food for our Faith Journey.  This week’s focus is on the role of Mary as a mother and...

Fr Maurice (Mossie) Kelleher SMA – Obituary

Fr Maurice Kelleher, SMA, passed away peacefully in the St Theresa's Nursing Unit, SMA House Blackrock Road, Cork on Wednesday, 10 August 2022. His...

Fr Maurice [Mossie] Kelleher SMA – Funeral Mass Homily

The Funeral Mass for the late Fr Mossie Kelleher’s took place on Friday, 12th August 2022, in St Joseph's SMA Church, Wilton, Cork City....

FOOD FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY – Part Four

Welcome to the fourth episode of Food for our Faith Journey.  As in previous weeks it contains three items that we hope will...

Fr Maurice [Mossie] Kelleher SMA, RIP

Fr Maurice Kelleher SMA , late of SMA House, Wilton, Cork, died peacefully in the St Theresa's Nursing Unit, SMA House, Blackrock Road on...

FOOD FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY – Part Three

Welcome to the third installment of Food for our Faith Journey.  This week's focus is the Eucharist, the sacrament of Christ's permanent presence -...

AUGUST | For Small Businesses – the Pope’s Prayer Intention

We pray for small and medium-sized businesses; in the midst of economic and social crisis, may they find ways to continue operating, and serving...

FOOD FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY – Part Two

We continue with the second in our series of articles under the heading of Food for our Faith Journey.  This week the focus is...

SMA International News – August 2022

Welcome to the August edition of the SMA International News which brings reports from:  Italy: from where we hear about the collaboration between the SMA...

World Day against Trafficking in Persons 2022 – 30th July

One minute Video to raise awareness that Human Trafficking has conquered cyberspace - click to view and to expand  One minute Video to highlight...

FOOD FOR OUR FAITH JOURNEY – Part One

Many SMA's have, down through the years, worked in Northern Nigeria and learned Hausa, the lingua franca spoken among the different linguistic and ethnic...

JULY | For the Elderly – the Pope’s Prayer Intention

"We pray for the elderly, who represent the roots and memory of a people; may their experience and wisdom help young people to look...

SMA International News – July 2022

Welcome to the July edition of the SMA International News which brings news from:  Rome: We hear about the Plenary Council that took place early...
Bp-de-Bresillac

Homily – 163rd anniversary of the death of SMA Founder

On 25 June 1859, the SMA Founder, Bishop Melchior de Marion Brésillac died of Yellow Fever in Freetown, Sierra Leone. On 25 June last,...

Fr John Flynn SMA – Funeral homily

The Funeral Mass for the late Fr John Flynn SMA was celebrated in St Joseph’s SMA Church, Wilton, Cork on Friday, 24 June 2022....

Fr John Flynn SMA [RIP]

Funeral Mass for the late Father John Flynn, SMA - click here to view the Mass which begins at 1pm on Friday, 24 June 2022. Fr...

Sufficiency, Not Growth: Towards a Safe and Sustainable Future – SUMMER SCHOOL 2022 –...

SPEAKERS John Barry is Professor of Green Political Economy and the Director of the Centre for Sustainability and Just Transitions, a Queen’s University Belfast.  Anne B....
nigeria-shendam

Nigerian Bishop sets the record straight for President Higgins

On Pentecost Sunday last, the Catholic community of Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria were brutally attacked and many killed and injured. Newspapers were quick to...

St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley, makes a difference

The Peregrini (Pilgrims) Movement from St Ciaran’s College, Ballygawley, Co Peregrini is from the Latin for pilgrim, which refers to going on pilgrimage to move...

SMA International News – June 2022

Welcome to the June edition of the SMA International News which brings news from: Zambia:   We hear about celebrations to mark the tenth anniversary of...

JUNE | For Families – the Pope’s Prayer Intention

We pray for Christian families around the world; may they embody and experience unconditional love and advance in holiness in their daily lives. Pope Francis...

SMA Novena – Address from Provincial and Homily from Knock Basilica

The Lamb of God - Jesus - is the focal point of the Apparition at Knock. It is as if Mary is saying in...

NOVENA MASS – from Knock Basilica, Saturday 28th of May

The 2022 SMA annual Novena to Our Lady of Knock comes to its conclusion today at Knock Basilica.  It can be viewed live, beginning with...

Laudato Si Week – “Listening and Journeying Together” 22 – 29 MAY

This weeklong global event will mark the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis' landmark encyclical on creation care and unite the world’s 1.3 billion...

NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF KNOCK BEGINS

The annual SMA National Novena of Prayer in honour of Our Lady of Knock begins this evening,  Friday 20th of May.    The theme of...

SMA National Novena of Prayer 2022

The annual SMA National Novena of Prayer in honour of Our Lady of Knock takes place from Friday 20th to Saturday 28th of May...

Cost of living: the poorest are suffering the most

In an interview with Vatican Radio, SMA Father Seán J Healy has reminded Irish politicians that society will be judged by how it deals...

A Letter from Poland – THANK YOU

Prowincja Polska Stowarzyszenie Misji Afrykańskich  Borzęcin Duży, POLSKA Dear Superiors of the various units of the Society of African Missions, dear parish priests of SMA parishes...

Fr Owen McKenna SMA – Funeral Homily

Fr Owen McKenna died peacefully on Monday, 2 May 2022, in the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork. His Funeral Mass took place at St Joseph's...

Fr Owen McKenna SMA [RIP]

Fr Owen McKenna died peacefully in the Bon Secours Hospital on Monday, 2 May 2022. He was an SMA missionary for over 60 years,...

SMA International News – May 2022

Welcome to the May edition of the SMA International News which brings news from: Ireland: where the parishioners of the SMA parish of Wilton, seeing what...

The Easter cross carried by a people suffering from famine, lack of medicine, violence...

“We, the Christians of Dosso, form a small, very small, minority community in a predominantly Islamized society. We are happy but also fragile in...

Peace be with you – Divine Mercy Sunday homily of Pope Francis

For the first time since the outbreak of the pandemic, Mass was celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica on Divine Mercy Sunday, 24 April 2022....

Is Risen

The feet that danced at Cana's wedding feast, are held down, are pierced. The hands that reached for Peter when his walk on water failed, are stretched across the wood, are...

Good Friday Reflection

The feet that danced At Cana’s wedding feast, Are now held down, Are pierced. The hands that held When sinking Peter failed, Are stretched across the wood, Are nailed.   The voice...

A Reflection for Holy Thursday 2022 – Year C

14 April 2022 Exodus 12:1-8,11-14                         1 Corinthians 11:23-26             ...

“Let us not grow tired of doing good”

Just a week after it began I flicked between news channels. In disbelief, I saw destroyed buildings, soldiers, tanks, explosions and people whose lives...

SMA SUMMER SCHOOL 2022

You are cordially invited to attend the SMA Summer School 2022.  The event will take place online on Saturday 18th and the morning of Sunday...

SMA International News – April

Welcome to the April edition of the SMA International News which, this month, brings us three reports as well as the usual round-up of...

Three Catholic priests in Nigeria kidnapped in March alone

SMA Involvement in Nigeria goes back well more than a century. Father Joseph Oswald Timothée Waller, S.M.A. was appointed Prefect of Eastern Nigerian in...
Mvs.gov.ua, CC BY 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

International Response by the SMA to the Ukrainian Refugee Crisis

Since 24 February, 2022 we have witnessed a level of aggression, death, violence, suffering and destruction not seen in Europe since World War II....