Join MSC Associates in Texas
When Fr. Jules Chevalier founded the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) in Issoudun, central France, in 1854, his vision for the implementation of his charism already had global dimensions. He wanted to establish groups of religious, both male and female, an Association of Diocesan priests and MSC Lay Associates. His motto was, "May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved."
It was his belief that only with all of the groups, which he established, working together could his vision and mission become effective. No one group by itself would be able to give full witness to the depth and totality of what he envisioned for the Church and society.
His vision for the MSC Lay Associates in his early Rules and Constitutions clearly stated that only lay men and women could take his charism and spirituality into the business work-places, into homes and to places of recreation which were not always accessible to the religious groups.
The MSC Associates is not the same as a "Third Order" like the Franciscan, Dominican,
Carmelite, etc. To be a member does not entail having to join a group apostolate or to
say a fixed regimen of ‘required’ prayers. There are no distinguishing uniforms,
badges or anything of that nature required. Becoming a member is first of all a vocation,
a call from God, experienced as an attraction or a desire to live from this particular
charism and spirituality. Each member lives it in their ordinary every day lives. It could be simply stated as “being the heart of Christ in the world”. MSC Associates live the MSC charism and spirituality from a lay person’s perspective, so they give witness and life to the charism much differently than the religious groups.
An earlier self-description of the San Antonio group states:
The Lay Associates of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart are a group of Catholic men and women who have been drawn together from diverse walks of life...
In union with the MSC, they have chosen to study, share, pray and encourage each other to live fully their call to holiness received through baptism. They share their experience of Christ’s compassionate love with the people among whom they daily live, work, and play.
They strive with God’s grace to be living signs of God's love, of God's hope, and of God's healing to all people, especially to those in despair and pain.
By their imitation of Christ, particularly His openness, concern, gentleness and compassion, they see themselves helping Christ to build a civilization within the Kingdom of God in which justice, love and peace reign supreme.
Those who dream of creating such a world are invited to join. Groups of MSC Lay Associates are formed near MSC communities and meet monthly in small groups to pray, share and help other to grow spiritually in their personal lives, work and ministry...
The San Antonio MSC Lay Associates meet on the third Sunday of each month in the parlor of St. Anthony de Padua parish at 3:00pm. It is located at 102 Lorenz Road which is close to the Quarry Shopping Center in northeast San Antonio.
You are invited to attend a meeting without any obligation. If you have any questions, please contact Armando Tamez (826-3287), Betsy Rockwood (824-6124), Mary Tynan (828-2219), or any member or your pastor.
The Hill Country group is mainly comprised of the Spring Branch and Blanco areas. Their monthly meetings are held in a member’s home and rotates to suit the group.
To contact them: call Dorothy Martin (830) 885-7167.
The Harker Heights group is located in an MSC staffed parish near Killeen and Fort Hood area of Texas. For information contact Carol Allred (254) 698-3930.
