THE BEAUTY OF CREATION IN BLACKROCK RD
In the cold days of late winter and early spring an effort was made in the garden in Blackrock Road to prepare the ground,...
SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – JULY 2021
Welcome to the July SMA International News. In this edition we cover stories from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leon and from SMA...
POPE’S VIDEO – JULY 21, SOCIAL FRIENDSHIP
We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.
Pope Francis –...
The challenge of a new mission… the support of a joyful and active laity,...
In many countries of the African continent young people have few prospects and life is precarious. In Foya, in a remote corner of Liberia,...
World Refugee Day: A clarion call to protect and support migrants
Today 20 June is World Refugee Day. This article from Vatican News, written by Lydia O'Kane, shines the spotlight on the plight of migrants...
Beyond Planting Trees: Let Communities Lead Restoration
The 17th of June is marked as International Day to Combat Desertification. Here we link to an article written by staff of the UN...
INTERFAITH PRAYER SERVICE AND TALK BY THEOLOGIAN AND POET PADRAIG Ó TUAMA
On Saturday 19th of June at 7.30pm Three Faiths Forum Cork have organised an online interfaith Prayer Service on the theme “Living Together in...
SMA Dromantine: Retreat & Conference Centre Reopening August 2021
A SAFE AND WARM WELCOME
The SMA Community in Dromantine along with our Hospitality Team are ready to safely and warmly welcome you back. We are...
Terrorism and violence: unsustainable situation in West African countries
"The West African sub-region is unfortunately becoming the bastion of terrorism in Africa. A situation that is becoming increasingly worrying", writes Fr Donald Zagore,...
Sr Margaret finds purpose in a time of Pandemic
In March 2020, when the (then) Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, made his announcement (from Washington) about the Coronavirus Pandemic and the need for lockdown, people...
SMA INTERNATIONAL NEWS – JUNE 2021
In the June edition of the SMA International News we have reports from Nigeria where we hear about the ongoing violence in the northern...
SMA SUMMER SCHOOL 2021
Migrations in Our Common Home: Causes, Effects, and Responses
Since 1984 the SMA has hosted an annual Summer School in Dromantine, Newry, Co Down. It began...
Nigerian Government does nothing to protect its citizens
In a report carried by Agenzia Fides, the Vatican-based News Agency, the Bishop of Sokoto, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, stated that “Nowhere else in...
Biodiversity Awareness Campaign: LAUDATOS SI’ WEEK
The Society of African Missions (SMA) and the Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA) in collaboration with Elders for Earth, SHEP Earth Aware,...
PENTECOST PARISH PROGRAM.
Sunday (23rd May) is Pentecost Sunday.
Wilton Parish is hosting a special program to mark the occasion. It consists of songs, prayer and reflection...
SMA Novena of Prayer 2021
Our annual SMA National Novena of Prayer in honour of Our Lady takes place from this Friday, 14th May to Saturday, 22nd May.
The Novena...
THE WORLD OF FINANCE – Pope Francis
Today, when we hear talk of finances, we often feel as if it’s a subject very distant from our day-to-day life. As Francis says,...
SMA NEWS – May 2021
Welcome to the May edition of the SMA International News Programme.
This month we hear a report from Ghana about the empowerment of people with...
Indian Catholic schools become hospitals for Covid patients
A Report from AGENZIA FIDES, the Vatican News Agency for the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, is reporting that the Archdiocese of Bangalore,...
SMA SUMMER SCHOOL 2021 – date for your Diary
This year the SMA Summer School will take place on-line over a one and a half day period. Here we bring you advance notice...
PLANTING SEEDS
As A Follow up to yesterday's focus on Earth Day - today it is on planting seeds. The video below shows seeds being blessed...
RESTORE OUR EARTH – Earth Day 2021
April 22nd is Earth Day and the theme for 2021 is “Restore our Earth”. This day is all about reducing our environmental footprint and...
Fr Leo Silke SMA – Funeral homily
Fr Leo Silke, the oldest member of the Irish Province, passed, unexpectedly, to his eternal reward on the evening of Friday, 16 April...
Fr Leo Silke SMA, RIP
Funeral Mass for Fr Leo Silke SMA will take place at 12 noon on Monday, 19 April. Due to government restrictions it is strictly...
Easter in Kolowaré, Togo
Easter 2021! A special and memorable day. In front of our church in Kolowaré we have two new “washbasins”, the latest type, commonly known...
Fr Don Burke SMA – Funeral Homily
Homily at the Funeral Service for the late Fr Daniel (Don) Burke SMA
Good Friday, 2 April 2021 – St Joseph’s SMA Church, Wilton, Cork
Fr...
SMA NEWS – April 2021
Welcome to the latest edition of the monthly SMA News. Each month this international programme reports on SMA events and activities from around the...
“He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him”
Pope Francis' homily at Easter Vigil Mass: Full text
April 3, 2021
The women thought they would find a body to anoint; instead they found an...
Easter Sunday Mass from Ndola, ZAMBIA
Wishing you all a Peaceful and Joy filled Easter.
Easter Sunday Mass celebrated by Fr Tom Casey from the SMA District House in Ndola, Zambia. ...
Fr Don Burke SMA [RIP]
Fr Daniel (Don) Burke SMA died peacefully last night, 31 March 2021, in St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, SMA House, Blackrock Road, Cork. Fr Don...
A Holy Thursday reflection
During a TV interview a well-known Muslim scholar said that ultimately there is only one sin and all others come from that sin. What...
Holy Week and Easter Vigil Ceremonies Online
HOLY THURSDAY: Mass of the Lord's Supper 7.00pm. During this service in place of the washing of the feet we will recognise the Front...
Lenten Reflections.
Below are links to a series of Reflections recorded by SMA's and lay people. We hope you find them useful them and that they...
On Fraternity and social friendship. Fratelli Tutti Dialogue and Friendship in Society
Here we reproduce a reflection posted by the Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network.
In Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis gives us a vision of a...
Planned exclusion of refugees from vaccination
The Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) is calling for equity in vaccine distribution. “Equal access to vaccinations is necessary to ensure public health for all in...
Pope’s prayer for victims of war in Iraq: Peace, justice and serene coexistence
Vatican News Reports from amid the ruins in Mosul - Pope Francis prays for the victims of war in Iraq and in the whole...
SMA NEWS – March 2021
Welcome to the third edition of the monthly SMA News. Each month this international programme reports on SMA events and activities from around the...
Catholic agencies urge G20 nations to provide debt relief amid pandemic
Catholic agencies urge G20 nations to provide debt relief amid pandemic
The Vatican News Agency in and article written by Lisa Zengarini reports that a...
Another Catholic church in northern Nigeria burned and destroyed
The Vatican News Agency – FIDES – is reporting the destruction of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Kikwari, Kajuru County in the Archdiocese...
Fr Michael Boyle SMA [RIP] – Funeral homily
Fr Michael Boyle SMA, the oldest member of the Irish Province, passed peacefully to his eternal reward on Ash Wednesday morning in St Joseph’s...
WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE – Feb 20th 2021
The United Nations' World Day of Social Justice is observed each year on February 20th. The theme for 2021 is; A Call for Social...
Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope and Love
The following is the text of the Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2021, entitled: Lent: a Time for Renewing Faith, Hope...
International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking: A Personal Prayer Service
The 8th of February, is the Feast of St Josephine Bakhita, a Sudanese nun, who as a child had the traumatic experience of being...
Ireland and Human Trafficking
In 2019 forty-two victims of Human Trafficking were detected in Ireland. Thirty-three were adults and nine were children. Thirty-four were victims of sexual exploitation,...
HUMAN TRAFFICKING – 40.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN SLAVERY
FACTS ABOUT TRAFFICKING
Trafficking comes in many forms, including:
– Forcing victims into prostitution.
– Subjecting victims to slavery or involuntary servitude.
– Compelling victims to commit sex...
SMA NEWS – February 2021
Welcome to the second edition of the monthly SMA News. Each month this international programme reports on SMA events and activities from around the...
Slavery, Human Trafficking and St Bakhita
Below is the first in a series of articles that will be published in the lead up to the International Day of Prayer and...
St Martin Deaf Ministry: Missionaries in Ghana support the deaf
The “St. Martin Deaf ministry” is a new missionary initiative promoted by the Society of African Missions (SMA) in the archdiocese of Accra, Ghana....
Covid-19: challenge and opportunity – Pope Francis
Let us Dream – The Path to a Better Future
(Pope Francis’s Vision for a Post-Pandemic World)
Let us Dream is Pope Francis’ latest publication. Written...
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021
“Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” John 15:1-17
At least once a year, Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his...
SMA Ordination Golden Jubilees – the Class of 1970
On the 16th of December 1970 sixteen members of the SMA were ordained Priests in St Colemans Cathedral, Newry. Fifty years later, in December...
In times of pandemic, the proclamation of the Gospel remains our starting point.
Father Leopoldo Molena (an Italian SMA priest) has spent most of his 35 years as a missionary working in the Ivory Coast, Benin Republic...
Launching of SMA News
Today, the 11th of January 2021 the SMA launches a new international initiative involving all SMA Provinces and Units - a magazine news programme...
Poignant time in SMA church to ponder new life, and death
The article below was written by weekly columnist John Arnold and first appeared in The Echo on the 7th of January 2021. Our thanks...
HOMILY AT THE FUNERAL MASS FOR THE LATE MOST REV. DR. PETER YARIYOK JATAU,...
By John Cardinal ONAIYEKAN, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Ahmadu Bello Stadium Kaduna: January 6th 2021.
“Glorious in the eyes of the Lord is the death...
The Epiphany – a Manifestation of the Divine Nature of Jesus
God breaks through into our history - in Bethlehem He reveals Himself. The Three Kings came looking for Him and recognised God's presence in...
A Thought for the New Year on the Feast of Mary Mother of God
Fr Tom Casey from the SMA Media Centre in Ndola, Zambia has sent us this Reflection for New Year's Day - the Feast of...
Message of Pope Francis for the celebration of the 54th World Day of Peace...
Below is the Message of the Holy Father Francis for the 54th World Day of Peace, c
celebrated on 1 January 2021 on the theme...
SMA Parish Wilton – Christmas Eve Service
You are invited to join with the Parishioners and Priests of SMA Parish Wilton, Cork for a Christmas Service that remembers and honours the...
A Christmas letter from Fr Pat Kelly SMA
Yes, it will be a strange Christmas for all of us after a very strange 2020. Who would have imagined a year ago that...
SMA OLA CHRISTMAS SERVICE – from around the world
Welcome to our first ever on-line Christmas Service with messages from the the Provincial Leaders of the OLA and SMA as well as Prayers,...
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception 2020 – SMA Founders Day
Mary, Star of Evangelization
On 8 December 2020, the SMA celebrated the 164th anniversary of its foundation at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fourvière,...
The SMA celebrates 125 years in Ivory Coast
On December 8th, SMA Founders Day, La Croix International published the article below reporting that - the Society of African Missions (SMA) has been...
The Venerable Melchior de Marion Brésillac (1813 -1859) Founder of the Society of...
The 8th of December is SMA Founders Day - an occasion that is remembered and celebrated in SMA Houses and Parishes all around the...
Advent Reflections
This page contains the eight Advent Reflections from SMA Fathers and an OLA Sister. These were written and recorded especially for Advent in a...
Pope reiterates call to end modern day slavery
Slavery makes us "un-dignified" because it takes way everyone's dignity, Francis says in his International Day for the Abolition of Slavery message
By La Croix International...
ADVENT REFLECTIONS – “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”
From Sunday 29th November 2020 you are invited to join us for a series of 8 short video Reflections on Advent presented by members...
Social friendship according to Pope Francis
This article from La Croix International throws light on the concept of 'Social Friendship', which is at the heart of "Fratelli tutti" and is...
Fr James Fegan SMA [RIP] – Obituary
The death has taken place, after a short illness, of Fr James Fegan SMA. Fr Fegan died peacefully at the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork,...
Fr James Fegan SMA [RIP] – Funeral homily
Fr James Fegan SMA passed to his eternal reward in the early morning of 9 November 2020 in the Bon Secours Hospital, Cork. Fr...
Stretch forth your hand to the poor” (Sir 7:32)
Fourth World Day of the Poor - November 15, 2020
World Day of the Poor takes place each year on the 33rd Sunday of the...
SMA NOVEMBER MEMORIAL EVENTS PLAYBACK
This year due to Coronavirus restrictions the SMA was unable to observe its traditional November remembrance of the dead in our Parishes and Houses. ...
Fr James Fegan SMA [RIP]
Click on this Weblink to join the funeral ceremonies for the late Fr James Fegan SMA.
The death has taken place, after a short illness, of...
Fr Pierluigi (Gigi) Maccalli SMA: “The strength came from above. I cried, prayed and...
Gigliola Alfaro, journalist of the SIR (Religious Information Service, Italian Bishops' News Agency), interviewed Fr Gigi Maccalli SMA, following his release by kidnappers on...
Human Trafficking in Ireland and Public Policy Response
European Anti-human Trafficking Day on 18th October is an important awareness raising day in the calendar and seeks to increase the exchange of information,...
A Message for Mission Sunday: Freed SMA calls for forgiveness and fraternity
After two years of silence and solitude, Father Gigi Maccalli SMA needed to feel at home, to feel welcomed and listened to. "He talked...
Italian SMAs say Thanks
Fr Ceferino Cainelli, Provincial Superior of the Italian Province and the members of the Italian Province addressed the following Message to all other SMAs...
Outspoken Catholic bishop is scathing in his criticism of Nigerian govt, president
By La Croix International staff | Nigeria
"Our country now looks like a boiling pot that everyone wants to escape from", says Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah...
Police brutality: Archbishop of Lagos calls for clarification
AFRICA/NIGERIA -s (Agenzia Fides)
"Recently there have been reports and videos documenting that members of the Nigerian police, in particular SARS operatives, have been...
Mission Sunday 2020 – Continue the Mission of Jesus
Pope Francis, in his Message for the World Mission Sunday 2020, echoes the teaching of Vatican II when he says that the essential calling...
Fr Pierluigi Maccalli SMA released after 753 days
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer…” with these words from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans the members...
“Fratelli tutti,” the dreams of solidarity from a pope concerned about the world
By Loup Besmond de Senneville | Vatican City
On the 5th of October, La Croix International published the article below on the new Papal Encyclical signed by Pope...
In a democracy, political leaders must reflect the diversity of the Country
Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "I think even the most optimistic Nigerian must conceive that we are nowhere near coming to define the real sense...
Public Masses suspended in both SMA parishes in Cork City
Following the government's decision to move the entire country to Coronavirus Level 3 restrictions, the SMA parishes in Blackrock Road and Wilton have suspended...
I have never been as unsure of Nigeria’s future as I am now
After Independence, in order to build a great nation, each country went to work. But in Nigeria, after Independence, our people went to pray...
Choose Life – Day for Life 2020
Day for Life is the day dedicated by the Catholic Church to raise awareness on the meaning and value of human life at every...
Covid-19 and the SMA Little Flower Novena
“Without love, deeds, even the most brilliant count as nothing…
When one loves, one does not calculate.”
St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Patroness of the Missions
The SMA...
The beauty of Dromantine in pictures
The SMA is blessed with a wonderful Retreat & Conference Centre where the mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. Situated about 5...
2nd anniversary of Fr Maccalli’s abduction
Today, 17 September 2020, we are particularly mindful of our kidnapped SMA brother, Fr Pierluigi Maccalli who was taken from his Mission in...
Label helps shoppers choose environmentally-friendly produced rice
The Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) has launched a label which identifies sustainably-produced rice. The label will help shoppers reduce the environmental impact of rice...
Fr James Hickey SMA [RIP]
Fr James Hickey SMA will be laid to rest on Friday, 11 September 2020, alongside his parents and other family members in Glasnevin...
FAMILY VOCATIONS COMMUNITY SPONSORS MASS
On Sunday 6th of September a little bit of SMA history was made when over one thousand people in Ireland and further afield tuned-in...
Suggested Practical Actions during the Season of Creation 2020
Pope Francis has declared this year, 24th May 2020 – 24th My 2021, a special Laudato Si’ Anniversary Year.
The season of creation is a...
The Canticle of Creatures (St. Francis)
In this, the Season of Creation, we can reflect on the words of St Francis in the Canticle of Creatures. It is believed that...
Twenty-Eight New SMA Missionaries Ordained to the Priesthood
This year twenty-eight SMA seminarians completed their training and have been Ordained to the Priesthood. In the coming months they will be assigned to...
Season of Creation 2020 Prayer
The Season of Creation 2020 begins, on the 1st of September. Let us join with Christians all around the world in praying for a...
SMA Wilton parish celebrates the Season of Creation
St Joseph's SMA Parish, Wilton, Cork marked the beginning of the 2020 Season of Creation with a special Service on Tuesday, 1 September, at...
The Season of Creation – a time for Prayer and Action
The season starts 1 September, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends 4 October, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron...
European Church leaders’ statement on Season of Creation
An article from the Independent Catholic News reports that: the presidents of CEC, the Conference of European Churches, (CEC) and the Council of European...
Dark Clouds of Violence over Our Land
A Statement from the
Catholic Bishops of Kaduna Ecclesiastical Province, Nigeria,
on the incessant killings in the Province
The dark clouds of violence have enveloped our...
There is still a lot of fear, but finally our churches have reopened
Fr Matteo Revelli, a member of the Italian Province of the SMA, has worked for more than 20 years in Morocco, a predominantly Muslim...
Pope, Maronite patriarch plead for help in Lebanon
A La Croix International article published on August 5th reports that Pope Francis has called for prayers and for the international community to help...
40 million victims of people trafficking
World Day against Human Trafficking – 30 July
On the occasion of the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons – 30 July – the Secretary...
Angola: the post-Covid recovery, still a fragile path
In a report sent to FIDES, the News Agency of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Fr Renzo Adorni SMA, wrote that...
From Mwanza to Montreal – Video Messages from an OLA and an SMA
This week we publish two new videos, the last in our series of messages for Covid-19 times. One comes from an OLA Sister working...
Fr John Quinlan SMA – Obituary
Fr John Quinlan passed to his eternal reward on 16 July 2020, at the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. He...
Church activities slowly resuming in Liberia
"In Liberia we are in the middle of the rainy season and our people are engaged in rural work. During this period, malaria makes...
Fr John Quinlan SMA [RIP] – Funeral homily
Fr John Quinlan passed to his eternal reward on 16 July, 2020, at the St Theresa’s Nursing Unit, African Missions, Blackrock Road, Cork. He...
WEBINAR: Laudato Si and Community Activism Against Environmental Destruction.
The OLA / SMA Justice Committee is hosting a webinar on 28th July and we invite you all to join us.
Date: Tuesday 28th July...
SMA Provincial Leader commends the work of SHALOM
“Shalom’s contextually driven, rigorous but adaptable and forward-looking methodology represents a model approach towards peace-building in highly complex situations, such as those that pertain...
Irish Minister highlights work of SMA Shalom initiative at Council of the EU
On 19 May 2017 Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Joe McHugh TD, spoke at the Council of the...
Pope Francis: “the people of God are scandalized” by events in Ahiara, Nigeria
It's a truly difficult dilemma for Pope Francis. And, true to form, he's taken a tough decision by offering an ultimatum: accept or resign!
The...
Two young women, having escaped Boko Haram, tell their harrowing story
We have heard much in recent years about the ruthless insurgency of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria and within the borders of neighbouring countries. The world...
Plenary Council 2017 – Nairobi, Kenya – Opening Address
The SMA Plenary Council is an annual meeting to evaluate the ongoing mission of the Society and plan for the future. It gathers together...
Cooking Clean – Saving Lives
We tend to take our modern gas and electric stoves and ovens for granted, but in many countries, homes have only kerosene or solid fuel...
Caring About A Small Blue Planet – SMA Parish, Wilton, Cork
We are the earth, through the plants and animals that nourish us.
We are the rains and the oceans that flow through our veins....
SMA present in Egypt since 1877
The SMA has been present in Egypt since 1877 and at Choubra, in the suburbs of Cairo, where they originally opened a seminary, since...
The origin of the SMA in Egypt
In 1877, just over twenty years after the foundation of the Society, the SMA Co-founder - Fr Augustin Planque - was in Rome listening...
Egypt… a ray of hope
The presence of SMA missionaries in Egypt goes back to the earliest years of our Society. Eighteen years after the foundation of the Society...
Italian SMA witnesses to events in Cairo
Italian SMA witnesses to events in Cairo Fr Renzo Mandirola SMA is a former Provincial of the SMA Italian Province. He also served on the...