Everywhere: Jubilaria

Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Belgian Province. Monday, 21 October 2024, was a day of grace and joy for the MSC confreres of the Belgian Province. All Belgian confreres, including the confreres of the ICB (International Community Belgium) and the African confreres working in pastoral ministry in Wallonie, were invited to the MSC house of Borgerhout to celebrate together the Jubilarians of this year 2024. There were two golden Jubilarians with 50 years of priestly ordination. Jozef Geeurickx (Zeca) celebrated his 50 years of priestly ordination on 21 July 2024 in his native village, Opwijk, with parishioners, his family and a delegation of the MSC and the Lay associates. He has since returned to San Salvador in Latin America for his work. The 2nd Jubilarian Father Jozef Van de Velde, who had prepared the whole celebration very well, could not preside over the Eucharist due to health issues. Fortunately, his substitute replaced him with dignity in a beautiful Eucharistic celebration thanks to Fr. Joseph’s preparations. Above all, we thanked the Lord for all the good our jubilarians were able to accomplish during these long years of service as Good Shepherds in the Lord’s vineyard. We also included the other jubilarians of ordination and profession in our hymns, prayers, and songs.

After the Eucharist, we were all together for a reception and a nice meal at a restaurant opposite the house. It should be noted that it was not only the main jubilarian, Jozef Van de Velde, who had to be absent. Unfortunately, of the 29 guests expected for the party, seven had to send their apologies due to health reasons.

In the afternoon, everyone listened with great attention and interest to the information the Architect and Project Manager provided regarding the construction of the new MSC house in Borgerhout. Yes, the Belgian MSC Province had decided for years to build a new home there, as the current one is far too large and cumbersome for the small number of confreres still living there. Recently, large machines have entered our land to demolish the parish hall next to the church and prepare the ground. These preparations have now been completed, and the construction of the new premises has begun.

After this info session and a nice cup of coffee and cake, much appreciated by the confreres, everyone was ready to go home.

Oscar Vermeir, MSC