Lay MSC (MSC Associates)
The Second Vatican Council inspired the Chevalier congregations to revisit Father Jules Chevalier’s vision for the laity to sit alongside the professed. The first formal involvement of the laity associated with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) emerged in the 1970s.
Read more in Father James (Jim) Littleton MSC's book, A Vision Restored: Lay MSC in Australia.
The brief timeline of the Australian Lay MSC (initially known as MSC Associates) is devised from this book.
Brief Timeline
1970
Australian MSC Provincial Chapter Acceptance
The Australian MSC Provincial Chapter accepts the desirability of having MSC Associates and begins exploring what that could look like.
(Pages 6-7)
1970s
Albert Yelds and the Sacred Heart Family
The 'Sacred Heart Family' started by Fr Albert Yelds MSC comprised several thousand people (in over 100 Australian towns) who practised a traditional devotion to the Sacred Heart. They prayed daily to the Sacred Heart, committed themselves to at least one hour of prayer each month, and kept in touch with Fr Yelds via a 6-monthly newsletter. They did not consider themselves specifically as MSC Associates, but the members called themselves 'Sacred Heart' people.
(Page 12)
1971
MSC Associate Membership Defined
The MSC Provincial defined MSC Associates as:
- Those who live in an MSC community.
- Those who work with the MSC in one of our ministries, such as lay teachers in MSC schools or lay missionaries in MSC missions.
- Those who wished to deepen their spiritual life by sharing in the MSC charism and spirituality.
(Page 7)
1972
Michael Fallon and the Sydney MSC Associates
The Sydney MSC Associate movement began with the University of NSW chaplaincy of Fr Michael Fallon MSC (and his predecessor Fr John King MSC), who drew young people towards living the MSC charism and spirituality. They gathered for mass, retreats, meetings, and social justice missions.
(Pages 7-11)
1974
Jim Littleton and the Canberra MSC Associates
The Canberra MSC Associate movement began with Fr Jim Littleton MSC, as the Principal of Daramalan College (1971-1979) and Superior of the MSC Community (1971-1976), offering a prayer group to deepen lay people's spirituality.
(Page 11)
1975
MSC General Chapter Meeting (Rome)
The international MSC leadership allowed local MSC Provincials to continue exploring MSC Associates. Australia and France were leading the way.
(Pages 13-14)
1977
Australian MSC Provincial Endorsement
The Australian MSC Provincial endorsed the Lay Associate Movement and formed a commission to develop the MSC Associate concept and the principles of association. Instead of beginning with formal rules and other structures, a flexible approach was adopted.
(Pages 14-15)
1980
Australian MSC Provincial Acceptance
Fr Michael Fallon MSC presented a seven-page paper on the MSC Associates. Acceptance of the MSC Associates was formalised in the Australian MSC Chapter Acts (Appendix III).
(Pages 16-17)
1981
MSC General Chapter Meeting (Rome)
The international MSC General Chapter approved the third set of MSC Constitutions, which had been revised in the light of the charism of the MSC Founder, as directed by the Second Vatican Council. In this MSC Constitution, reference to the MSC laity was restored.
(Pages 17-18)
Australian Lay MSC Association Formalised
The Australian Lay MSC Association was formally established and Fr Michael Fallon MSC was appointed as the first Director.
The Commitment of Australian MSC Associates
The first commitment ceremony took place in Sydney for 11 people on 2 May 1981, with other groups (in Sydney, Douglas Park, Croydon Monastery, Daramalan, Downlands, and Chevalier) soon following.
(Pages 19-21)
1983
Student Australian MSC Associates
Paul Brooks initiated Year 11 and 12 student MSC Associates at Downlands College. They made a
commitment similar to the adults and met for Sunday night prayer, Holy Hours, prayers, and reflections.
(Page 21)
1984
Australian MSC Associates Across The Country
Pat Austin initiated MSC Associates at Monivae
College. Brisbane and Toowomba MSC Associates formed, meeting at Downlands College.
New Director of Lay MSC Association
Harvey Edmiston (Deputy Provincial) replaced Michael Fallon as Director of the Lay MSC Association. Committed to forming and organising the MSC Associates, Harvey produced a brochure to explain the Lay MSC Association, guidelines for its operation, and a document for Associates who lived in a professed MSC community. He initiated the practice of giving new MSC Associates an MSC prayer book and badge and took the time to visit the different MSC Associate groups.
Lay MSC Association Newsletter Launched
The Lay MSC Association Newsletter was published four times a year with four sections: news about MSC Associates; news about
professed MSC in Australia and elsewhere; comments on MSC spirituality; prayers, and methods of prayer.
(Pages 22-24)
1985
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
(Pages 24-25)
1986
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
(Page 25)
1987
First Australian MSC Associates National Assembly
...
(Pages 27-29)
1988
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
(Page 29)
1989
New Director of Lay MSC Associates
...
(Pages 29-31)
1990
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
(Pages 31-32)
1991
Australian MSC Associates Across The Country
...
(Pages 32-33)
1992
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
Australian MSC Provincial Meeting
...
(Pages 33-37)
1993
MSC General Chapter Meeting
...
Australian MSC Associates Across The Country
...
(Pages 37-39)
1994
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
(Pages 39-40)
1995
First International MSC Associates Meeting
...
Australian MSC Associates Across The Country
...
(Pages 40-43)
1996
Australian MSC Associates Across the Country
...
(Pages 43-45)
1997
Australian MSC Associates Across The Country
...
(Pages 45-46)
1998
Second Australian MSC Associates National Assembly
...
Australian MSC Provincial Meeting
...
Australian MSC Associates Across The Country
...
(Pages 47-50)
1999
Second International Lay MSC Meeting
...
MSC Associates Become Lay MSC
The MSC Associate title was changed to Lay MSC at the International Meeting.
MSC General Chapter Meeting
...
Collaboration with OLSH Associates
...
(Pages 19, 50-53)
2000
International Lay MSC Coordination Commenced
...
(Pages 54-55)
2001
Australian Lay MSC Across The Country
...
(Pages 19, 50-53)
2002
Australian Lay MSC
...
(Pages 57-58)
2003
Australian Lay MSC Across The Country
...
(Pages 58-60)
2004
Australian Lay MSC
Numurkah Group
150-Year Anniversary of MSC Foundation
...
Australian MSC Provincial Meeting
...
(Pages 61-67)
2005
Australian Lay MSC Across The Country
...
(Pages 58-60)
2006
Australian Lay MSC
...
(Pages 67-68)
2007
Death of Fr Jules Chevalier
...
(Pages 65-66)
2008
Third International Lay MSC Meeting
...
(Pages 69-70)
2009
MSC Lay and Professed Council
...
Heartworks
...
(Pages 71-73)
2010
MSC General Chapter Meeting
...
(Pages 74-75)
2011
Australian Lay MSC Retreat
...
(Pages 76-77)
2013
Young Adult Ministry Coordinators
...
Pilgrimage
...
Chevalier Resource Centre Seminar
...
(Pages 74-75)
2015
Spirituality of the Heart Online Formation Course
...
Chevalier Institute
...
(Page 77)
2016
Australian Lay MSC National Gathering
One Heart - Many Bodies
(Pages 77-81)
2017
Lay MSC Affirmation From Pope Francis
"May your common life be marked by true fraternity, which welcomes diversity and values the gifts of all. Do not hesitate to continue and expand your communion with the lay people who participate in your apostolate. Let them share in your ideals and projects and the rich spirituality arising from your institute’s charism. With them, and with the Sisters in your female congregations, you will form an ever greater and stronger charismatic family, one that will better demonstrate the vitality and relevance of your Founders charism."
Third International Gathering of the Laity of the Chevalier Family
...
(Pages 82-84)
2018
Australian Lay MSC Across The Country
...
(Pages 85-86)