Fr Provincial writes October 2016...

30th September 2016

Dear Confreres and friends,

Once again it has been an eventful month. For us north of the border, the reopening of Kinnoull took place at the beginning of September with a workshop on Mercy being given by Fr. Jim McManus and Ms. Marie Hogg to a full house of 33 people. This was followed by a weekend retreat given by Fr. Peter Morris to a similar number of ladies from the West of Scotland.

In the days before, two of our students, Brs Mike and Royston, had worked diligently with our house staff; and all of us were involved in sourcing furniture, arranging blinds for over 50 rooms including all the public rooms, and trying to settle in. 

Fr. Gerry Mulligan and I eventually managed to vacate the Dundee house on Friday, 15th September and be in Kinnoull to welcome the many confreres who came to the Province gathering. I reiterate my gratitude to Fr. Rui Santiago who came from Portugal and gave us input on new ways of working and ministering with the laity, and also offering a template for a new mindset in terms of mission and ministry. I am also grateful for the many positive comments that the confreres made about the refurbished Kinnoull.

During the gathering, we were able to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of priesthood of Fr. Gerry Mulligan and also my own Golden Jubilee of Profession which takes place in two weeks' time. I intend to have a four day retreat at the time and ask your prayers. Fr. Brian Russell also celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his priesthood on 24th September. 

Before the gathering, the Finance Secretariate met, and at the conclusion of the Province meeting we had an EPC meeting. I then travelled south to have an RPTC meeting and I am very happy to report that Redemptorist Publications continues to be healthy, productive and creative.

Unfortunately at the last minute, the sale of Hawkstone did not go through as we had hoped. The same is true for Sunderland. It is indeed a trying time for the Trustees and for all members of the Province involved with these properties. Please do keep these intentions in your prayers.

Congratulations again to Fr. Brian Manyenga and Bro. Dominic Koffi who were ordained priest and deacon respectively on 10th September in Zimbabwe. Bro. Charles Randall has moved to Liverpool where he will exercise his deaconate ministry.

We welcome to the Province, Fr. Caspar Mukabva who is studying at St. Anselm’s Institute in Margate and also Bro. Massimiliano Mura who is in Clapham improving his English and also working in the Ace of Clubs - and generally helping in many areas. He will be a translator as the General Chapter at the end of October. Clapham also has another volunteer from Cologne named Jasper who is working in the Ace of Clubs and who seems to be settling in well. Clapham is truly an international community with at least six nationalities living there.

Please remember in your prayers the grandfather of Bro. Chris Reynolds, one of our students. Chris's grandfather died this week and the funeral will be on 10th October. I know you keep him and the family in your prayers.

Last month I asked for prayers for Sr. Jackie Smith who is seriously ill in Birmingham. Jackie continues to struggle bravely and peacefully with her situation. We remember her, her parents and sister, and her Religious Sisters.

On the 15th October, the remains of Fr. Kevin McEwan will be interred in the cemetery at Kinnoull in the presence of members of his family. The Mass will be at 11.00 followed by lunch.

On the 16th of this month we celebrate the Feast of St. Gerard Majella - and special good wishes to our Brothers in the Province and in the Region. When I was in Foggia for the beatification of Mother Celeste, I was able to visit Deliceto where Gerard spent most of his short Religious Life. The reminders of his prayerfulness, his zeal, his self denial and his whole-hearted dedication to Jesus the Redeemer are everywhere to be seen there. I pray that these virtues may be deepened in the hearts of all of us as we approach the feast. As a patron of family life, it also seems that his prayer is more necessary than ever in this age of domestic breakdown and fragmentation. Enjoy the feast.

Birthdays this month: K. Temba 5th , M. Gay 1yth, M. Creech 18th , E. Makova 23rd and C. Mandidi 31 st

I leave for the General Chapter on the 28th of October. However, I shall write to the Province before I leave.

In Christ the Redeemer,

Ronald J. McAinsh, C.Ss.R.

Provincial Superior