Jan 26th 2013: Thirty-six people have been killed and almost 70,000 displaced by rains and floods in Mozambique, the United Nations says.  "A total of 26 persons have died in (the worst affected southern province of) Gaza alone, with the nationwide death toll at 36," the UN mission in Mozambique said in a statement on Friday.

As many as 67,995 people have been displaced and about 85,000 affected by the flooding in the impoverished southeastern African nation, the statement added.  The UN said it would appeal to its donors to urgently arrange funds "to help deal with this emergency," which started on January 12, when the Limpopo River swelled, prompting an orange alert in the country.  The overflow in the 1,750-kilometer river was caused by week-long heavy rains in neighboring South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The flood waters are still wreaking havoc across the south of Mozambique. International aid agencies and the Mozambican government are struggling to contain the humanitarian disaster.  

Joao Carlos, a government spokesman, said on Friday that flood waters in the coastal tourist city of Xai-Xai were expected to rise up to eight meters (26 feet).  "The water is coming into the city. It is just starting. Some roads in the lower part of town are under water… The situation is not very good,” the official stated.  Rising waters in the provincial capital Xai-Xai would cut the main road connection between the north and south of Mozambique.  "Private and commercial services have been evacuated from the lower parts of the city to higher areas," said police spokeswoman Sylvia Paolo.  "The population obeyed the calls for them to leave risk areas," she added.

These floods are effecting the southern part of Mozambique.  Our Congregation is working on the outskirts of the capitol city Maputo and in central Mozambique close to Malawi.

RTE Radio 1 "Thought for the Day" this week (Jan 21st to 26th) is being presented by Fr. Mike Ruddy sscc.  You can listen to podcasts of the programme at this website (click here)  Normally "Thought for the Day" is broadcast around 1 hr & 10 mins into the programme at 6.40 am 

Congrats to Mike on this initiative.

Maputo, Mozambique: In the novitiate community on the 6th January 2013 the brothers and sisters joyfully accompanied our four sisters (Lydie, Patience, Huguette and Elizabeth) as they made their first profession in our Congregation.

The Archbishop of Maputo, Dom Francisco Chimoio presided at the celebration along with some sscc brothers. In his homily he spoke about the feast of the Epiphany as a manifestation of the Lord God shining among his people. At the same time he challenged us priests and religious to live our vows. He reminded us that we had said a "YES" to the Lord . It is not a "Yes" of graduation day, but a "Yes" that always remains a "Yes". He alluded to what is often heard today in Religious Life "we are modern…, long live modernity,…". These vows are made for one’s whole life. Religious life is a commitment which gives witness to Jesus in the midst of our world. They can only be lived out in an atmosphere of prayer. He invited us however, to continue by our example, to help our young sisters who have just made their commitment: formation never finishes.

Sr. Cecilia O'Neill sscc, died in Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dublin on Friday January 11th 2013.

Cecilia was born in Dysart, Co. Clare on the November 22nd 1942. She attended the local primary school and left home for the Presentation Secondary School in Youghal, Co Cork. She joined the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in 1959, completing her novitiate in 1961in Weymouth, Dorset, England. She pronounced her final vows in Rome on August the 2nd 1966.

Cecilia was a much loved member of the Sacred Hearts Community. She was the life and soul of every gathering and blessed with a lively spirit and a wonderful sense of humour.

She trained in Institutional Management in Cathal Brugha Street, Dublin. Her first assignment was to our school in Weymouth. In 1972 she became House Manager in Belcamp College Boarding school in Dublin run by the Oblate Fathers.  In 1990 she found her vocation as a highly competent addiction counsellor who helped numerous people in their journey towards sobriety and freedom.

Almost 20 years ago Cecilia received a kidney transplant and enjoyed a good quality of life for some years. Unfortunately ill-health necessitated much hospitalization and many different treatments. This she bore with utmost patience and serenity.

With the constant care and the support of a wonderful family and her community, Cecilia battled and bore all with great dignity and endurance.  In 2006 she experienced serious health difficulties which restricted her ability to be available for work. Despite these difficulties she remained dedicated with a generous heart whenever her health permitted her to be available for work. She was remarkably patient and good humoured despite the great challenges that her ill health presented.

In October she was admitted to the Our Lady’s Hospice, Harold’s Cross, Dublin, and was finally called home to the Lord. As she lived her life so did she surrender her life with great dignity and peacefulness.

Her remains were brought to her community home in Northbrook Road where a great many friends and those to whom she had ministered came to pay their respects.  On Sunday January 13th her funeral Mass was concelebrated by several of our Sacred Hearts brothers and the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Sacred Heart Church, Sruleen, Clondalkin, Dublin 22. That evening her remains were transferred to Dysart, Co. Clare where she was buried following her funeral Mass concelebrated by several priests on January 14th. May she rest in peace.