Alpha at SS Alban & Stephen Catholic Church in St Albans
An MSC
(Missionaries of the Sacred Heart) Parish
Despite being part of the Diocese of Westminster,
the parish of Ss Alban & Stephen is one of the few which are served by
priests from outside the diocese - in our case, by priests from
the Order of the Missionaries
of the Sacred Heart. Ss Alban & Stephen parish has been served by priests and Missionaries
of the Sacred Heart (MSC) since 1899, and is currently one of six in
England served by the Irish Province of the MSC. Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC)
The MSC (from the Latin "Missionarii Sacritissimi Cordis") are an international community of priests and
brothers within the Roman Catholic Church who witness in the world
the compassion and generosity of God.
The MSC congregation was founded in France in 1854
by Jules Chevalier who gathered together
a small group of like-minded men to form the first MSC community at
Issoudun. Presently the MSC
is around 2,500 strong and is working in over forty countries in all
continents.
MSC Corner If you have
time after Mass, please visit the MSC corner at the back of Church, next
to the Statue of St Antony. There's plenty of information about
the Order, about Issoudon and pilgrimages to Issoudon, as well as copies
of the periodical "MSC Messenger"
Pilgrimages to Issoudon (September 2002) - Fr Michael FitzGibbon,
the then Parish Priest at Ss Alban & Stephen led a pilgrimage
to Issoudun, visiting Lisieux, Chartres, Bruges, Nevers, Paray le Monial,
Taize & Paris – all in eight days! The retreat team at Issoudon
gave an introduction to the life and spirituality of the founder, Jules
Chevalier, whose vision was that everyone should experience the love
of the Heart of Christ. “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved”.
Past Priests
- We're blessed in this parish to be supported by the priests
of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. Shortages of priests is not
a new thing, and for this very reason, in 1899, the then Cardinal of Westminster,
Cardinal Vaughan, invited the MSC priests to help out. They've been part
of our community ever since! There isn't room to list them all
here, but click here
for a snapshot of the more recent priests
Vocations - Missionaries of the
Sacred Heart The MSC are an international
group of men who belong to a religious society pledged to sharing God’s love
with people everywhere. Today we need more missionaries who will continue
to proclaim the message of God’s love to people throughout the world. If
you would like more information email vocations@mscireland.com or
complete the coupon below and send to Fr. Joe McGee, 8 St John Street, Tamworth,
Staffs, B79 7EX.
Despite being part of the 
MSC Corner If you have
time after Mass, please visit the MSC corner at the back of Church, next
to the Statue of St Antony. There's plenty of information about
the Order, about Issoudon and pilgrimages to Issoudon, as well as copies
of the periodical "MSC Messenger"
Pilgrimages to Issoudon (September 2002) - Fr Michael FitzGibbon,
the then Parish Priest at Ss Alban & Stephen led a pilgrimage
to Issoudun, visiting Lisieux, Chartres, Bruges, Nevers, Paray le Monial,
Taize & Paris – all in eight days! The retreat team at Issoudon
gave an introduction to the life and spirituality of the founder, Jules
Chevalier, whose vision was that everyone should experience the love
of the Heart of Christ. “May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be everywhere loved”.