The Mass was hosted by Missio Diocesan Director, Fr Greg Price, at St Anne’s, Darlington, and concelebrated with Fr Anthony Chantry (the National Director of Missio), Fr Emmanuel Mbeh MHM, and Fr Robert Moore.

We gave thanks for all those who support Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries by their prayers and donations, or by volunteering their time and skills. Rita, a parishioner of St Robert’s, Fenham has supported our work for an amazing 65 years (she started as a teenager), only stepping down from the role of Local Secretary (organising the Red Box collections in her Parish) earlier this year. It was wonderful for Fr Anthony to be able to meet her in person and thank her for this important ministry to the Church.

We were delighted to be able to present several Missio Local Secretaries, who were present at the Mass, with long service awards. Richard from St Anne’s, Darlington, and Stella and Michael, a husband and wife team from St Patrick’s, Langley Moor, all received Bronze awards for over 10 years’ service.

Silver awards were presented to Moira from St Gregory’s, South Shields for 20 years of service and to Sandra from St Teresa’s, Darlington for 30 years of service. On accepting her award, Sandra said that she didn’t realise she had been volunteering for that long… obviously, time flies when you’re having fun!

Lorna, the Local Secretary from St Mary’s, Aycliffe was also at the Diocesan Mass but will receive her award in her home parish in November when Fr Emmanuel will be visiting to make a Red Box appeal. She received a greeting and handshake from Fr Anthony, and a round of applause from the congregation. Lorna shared on Facebook that it had been a ‘lovely day… Lovely celebration, Lovely people’. We couldn’t agree more!

In his homily, Fr Anthony encouraged us to persevere and model ourselves on Blessed Pauline Jaricot who, despite much suffering and many obstacles, persevered in her mission to share God’s love throughout the world.

The fruit of Pauline’s perseverance was the founding of the Pontifical society the Association of the Propagation of the Faith (Missio’s APF) and we, as Missio supporters and volunteers, are a part of Pauline’s legacy as we strive to build a vibrant missionary family around the world.

Thank you to everyone and especially our wonderful volunteers, for making this such an inspiring and beautiful occasion. Your tireless work is igniting God’s love around the world!