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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
SUMMER SCHOOL 2022 – Resources
Sufficiency, Not Growth: Towards a Safe and Sustainable Future
Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 June 2022
The focus for the 2022 summer School is on the...
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...
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....
Act of Consecration of humanity, and Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of...
Pope Francis has called on the Catholic faithful throughout the world to join him tomorrow – Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord –...
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The 21st March marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. In 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 Black people at...
HELP FOR REFUGEES “A combined Community Evert”
On a Monday evening 7th March after viewing the devastating news from Ukraine the Staff of the SMA Parish Centre met with Fr. Michael...
African Catholic leader says Church needs to better tap into the qualities of women
Marie-Laure Abotcha-Boni, is a member of the National Contact team for the Synodal process in Côte d'Ivoire. In an interview with La Croix Africa,...
To Prepare His Ways
To Prepare His Ways. Patrick J Harrington SMA. (Cork: SMA Publications, 2021). Pp. 416.
Entering St. Patrick’s building in Maynooth and turning right towards the...
The salvation of Africa and its children comes from African women
“The salvation of Africa and its children comes from African women who remain faithful to their mission as guardians of life and the family:...
MARCH | For a Christian response to bioethical challenges
We pray for Christians facing new bioethical challenges; may they continue to defend the dignity of all human life with prayer and action.
We should...
8 March — International Women’s Day
DID YOU KNOW
Seventy per cent of the 1.3 billion people living in conditions of poverty are women. In urban areas, 40 per cent of...
SMA International News – March
Welcome to the March edition of the SMA International News which, this month, brings us three reports as well as the usual round-up of...
ASH WEDNESDAY HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS
Basilica of Santa Sabina
Ash Wednesday, 2 March 2022
Cardinal Parolin read the homily Pope Francis had prepared for the occasion
Today, as we embark on the...
SUPPORT FOR THE PEOPLE OF UKRAINE – St Joseph’s SMA Parish Wilton, Cork
Today, Ash Wednesday Pope Francis has called on all to pray for Peace in Ukraine. “I encourage believers in a special way to dedicate themselves...
PRAY FOR PEACE in Ukraine – an Invitation from Pope Francis
The people of Ukraine are at this moment enduring the harshness of a more powerful aggressor, Russia, under its leader President Vladimir Putin. Peoples...
Human trafficking, an ancient crime that makes use of modern social media
"Trafficking is not just being taken from one country to another country and then become a slave. Trafficking is when someone owns someone else’s...
FEBRUARY | For religious sisters and consecrated women
We pray for religious sisters and consecrated women; thanking them for their mission and their courage; may they continue to find new responses to...
A Memory of Fr Terry Gunn by his brother Pat Gunn
Fr Terry Gunn died two years ago on 10 February 2020 in the Cork University Hospital. He was 84 years old. He was ordained...
Labour Trafficking and Supply Chains – part two
The $43.4 billion per annum that accrues from forced labour is the root cause motivating Traffickers to enslave human beings. Stopping these profits is...
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING – Labour Trafficking and Supply Chains
Today, 8 February, the international anti-human trafficking network, Thalita Kum, invite you to participate in an eight-hour online Marathon of Prayer and Awareness against...
SMA International News – February 2022
Welcome to the February edition of the SMA International News which, this month, brings us four reports as well as the usual round- up...
Lourdes Novena: 3-11 February 2022
It is springtime again. All of nature is waking up from its Winter slumber. This is one of the signals to us that we...
Memory of Catholic Africa
"We will never stop praising the work of catechists in Africa", writes SMA Father Basil Soyoye, from Nigeria, regarding the 'Memory of Catholic Africa'...
Nigerian Christians dying for their faith
Open Doors International, a non-denominational organization that assists persecuted Christians around the globe, has issued an annual report in which it claims a record...
SMA and OLA Justice Work – a look back at 2020
Since 2014 collaboration between the SMA and OLA Justice and Communications Offices has grown. This has been facilitated by the establishment of a Joint...
Living with the Spirit
The parishioners of St Joseph’s SMA parish, Wilton, Cork, Ireland, have produced a series of daily reflections to guide you through the week.
They are...
JANUARY | Religious discrimination and persecution
Pope Francis opens his first prayer intention of 2022 with two direct and incisive questions which cry out for an answer: “How is it...
SMA International News – January 2022
Greetings dear Brothers and Sisters, Happy New Year from the SMA International News Team and welcome to the first Monthly News Edition of 2022.
This...
Bethlehem: The reckless generosity of God
Fr Kevin O’Gorman SMA preached the following homily at the Christmas Day Mass in the SMA House, Wilton, Cork. Though the Christmas celebrations are...
SMA CHRISTMAS CAROL CONCERT of Music and Readings
On Thursday 23rd December SMA Parish Wilton hosted an online Service of Carols and Readings.
Over 500 people tuned in. To view a recording...
To Prepare His Ways – Tracing the Life of Melchior de Marion Brésillac –...
This new book written by Bishop Patrick Harrington SMA was published on the 8th of December 2021, the 165th Anniversary of the foundation of...
Fr Thomas Treacy SMA – Funeral homily
Fr Tom Treacy, SMA, died peacefully in the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit at the SMA House, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork on Saturday, 11...
Fr Thomas Treacy SMA – RIP
Fr Thomas (Tom) Treacy SMA passed to his eternal reward on Saturday evening, 11 December 2021. Fr Tom died in the St Theresa's Nursing...
HOMILY FOR SMA FOUNDATION DAY
Today, 8th of December 2021 is the 165th Anniversary of the founding of the Society of African Missions. Below is the text of the...
SMA International News – December 2021
This month we have news from Ireland - we hear about the work of Fr Alphonse Sekongo, from Ivory Coast and who came to...
Let us pray for the catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: may...
In his prayer intention for December Pope Francis tells us that Catechists have an invaluable mission for the transmission and growth of the faith.
In...
ADVENT REFLECTIONS
This page contains the eight Advent Reflections from SMA Fathers and an OLA Sister. These were written and recorded for Advent in 2020 a...
Fr Tom Kearney SMA – Funeral homily
Fr Tom Kearney died unexpectedly at his brother’s home in Ardee, Co Louth, on Monday, 22 November 2021. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in...
Fr Thomas (Tom) Kearney SMA
The SMA is mourning the unexpected death of Fr Tom Kearney SMA which took place on Monday, 22 November 2021, at the residence of...
Pope: Justice and peace must overcome political, economic contradictions
During an online meeting of of Justice and Peace Commissions of various national Bishops’ Conferences, hosted by The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human...
SMA Wilton Parish remembers
The SMA Wilton Parish community are remembering the Souls of the Faithful Departed with a daily Mass at 10am (Monday - Saturday) and 10.30am...
SMA Wilton responds generously to an All-Ireland Winner
During the month of October, the month of Mission, the community of St. Joseph's SMA Parish, Wilton, Cork, undertook the challenge of supporting one...
Dromantine remembers
We have loved them in life; let us not forget them in death
During the month of November we are especially mindful of our loved...
The rapidly-growing archdiocese in Nigeria’s capital turns 40
Writing from Nigeria, Lucie Sarr of La Croix International reports on how Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Abuja paid tribute to all those who have built...
Pope Francis asks us to pray that people who suffer from depression or burn‐out...
In his prayer intention for the month of November Pope Francis expresses his closeness to all those who are feeling overwhelmed in their daily life,...
Sunday Mass – 7th of November 2021
Mass this Sunday is celebrated by Fr Denis Ryan SMA who worked in Ghana for many years and who is now a member of...
Dromantine SMA Annual Remembrance Mass 2021
We have loved them in life; let us not forget them in death
During the month of November we are especially mindful of our...