Spring has sprung and summer is calling – and that means a new season of Mission Masses is upon us! While we’re looking forward to getting out and about in the dioceses over the next few months, our Mission Mass cycle started with a wonderful gathering at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church in Leeds Diocese. We also took the opportunity to give a fond farewell to Theresa, our Community Engagement Coordinator for the Northern Dioceses, due to her retirement.
Mission Masses are a joyful celebration of the Eucharist and a chance to celebrate our faith and our missionary Church. They are also an opportunity to hear the experiences of missionaries who have served communities around the world: a special moment for our supporters, volunteers and anyone from the wider Catholic community to gather in celebration of mission.
Mass was concelebrated by Fr Jonathan Hart, our Leeds Diocesan Director, and Fr Anthony Chantry our National Director in England & Wales. Mill Hill Missionary, Fr Emmanuel, and Dcn Martin Fenlon also joined them.
In mission, together
The first reading, Acts 6:1, explored the early seeds of the Diaconate being sown. When the community saw that some members had needs which were being neglected, the Apostles instructed them:
‘Pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.’
In his homily, Fr Anthony explored this and shared:
‘The early Church proclaims Jesus in word and deed. Some people weren’t being looked after so people were appointed to do this task.’
In the same way, Red Box holders play a vital role in ensuring the mission of the Church is brought to people around the world. Fr Anthony continued:
‘Not everyone can go out to Asia or Africa… but you are an essential part of mission. I have worked in South Africa and Kenya for the Mill Hill Missionaries but could only have done this thanks to your support.’
The many faces of mission
Fr Anthony went on to explain:
‘It can be difficult to answer when some asks “what does mission look like?” We could respond that we provide transport, build churches, convents and communities. Print catechetical books. So, in summary, I say: “We support those who are proclaiming the coming of God’s Kingdom. We proclaim it, we point to it by our lives and ministry.”
‘God’s kingdom is one where people who are hungry are given food. For those thirsting for justice, we help to quench that thirst. It is a place where innocent strangers are welcomed and offered shelter and compassion as brothers and sisters. Those who are sick in mind, body or spirit are healed. Prisoners are rehabilitated and enabled to make reparation. Those in the prison of sin are able to be forgiven.’
A Mass of ‘thank you’s
Fr Emmanuel MHM, who is originally from Cameroon, spoke after Mass and shared how the Red Box has helped him personally:
‘I am from Cameroon, where the Mill Hill Missionaries have worked for many years. As a Mill Hill Missionary myself, I have studied and worked in Kenya, Uganda and South Africa. I remember at the end of Mass at a recent appeal a lady, who must have been in her eighties or nineties, telling me that when she saw me processing into Mass she felt joy. It was the money from the Red Box that helped me to be here.
‘The missionary priest who baptised me [in Cameroon] pointed us to God’s Kingdom. He motivated me to be a missionary. I was inspired by [the scripture passage] “you received without charge, give without charge”.
‘I can’t thank you enough! When I was in South Africa, I would receive with joy the £500 [from Missio] allocated for my mission – it was overwhelming.
‘This is a Mass of “thank you”s! Thank you for sponsoring me and all the Mill Hill Missionaries who you support.’
Farewell Theresa!
Meanwhile, the Mass was an opportunity to say a big thank you to Theresa (pictured above), Missio’s Community Engagement Coordinator in the Northern Dioceses. This was Theresa’s last Mission Mass in post, as she has retired this year – after six years of wonderful work with Missio and the Red Box. She will be hugely missed by colleagues, volunteers and supporters alike. Theresa was presented with flowers and a gift card as a thank you for all her hard work.
At the same time a young member of the parish, who was the reader at Mass was celebrating her 14th birthday and also received a Gift Card. How wonderful to see the spirit of mission lived out by people of all ages!
A special day
A huge thank you to everyone at St Wilfrid’s and across Leeds Diocese who made this Mass such a special occasion.
- Theresa has handed over the baton to Megan, our new Community Engagement Officer for the Northern Dioceses, while Dave takes care of our Red Box family in the south of England and Wales. To contact your relevant diocesan contact, and arrange a Mass, please use the details below
Dave is responsible for the dioceses of: Arundel & Brighton, Birmingham, Brentwood, Cardiff-Menevia, Clifton, East Anglia, Northampton, Plymouth, Portsmouth, Southwark and Westminster.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 07593 544622
Megan is responsible for the dioceses of: Hallam, Hexham & Newcastle, Lancaster, Leeds, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Nottingham, Salford, Shrewsbury and Wrexham.
Email: [email protected]
Call: 07593 544625