Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries recently had the privilege of hosting two inspiring Mission Masses in the Northern dioceses, bringing together supporters and volunteers, to celebrate our shared mission of spreading the Gospel. These events, held in Liverpool and Hallam, showcased the incredible impact of our supporters’ generosity and dedication.
Liverpool Archdiocese: A Testament to Generosity
On Saturday 7 September, the Holy Family Church in Platt Bridge, Wigan, opened its doors to welcome supporters and volunteers for a special Mission Mass. Fr Dermot Byrne MHM celebrated the Mass alongside Deacon Anthony Callaghan (Missio Diocesan Director), and Deacon Mike Swift from the Holy Family Parish.
During his homily, Fr Dermot shared some remarkable news: the Liverpool Archdiocese raised an astounding £226,735 through the Red Box in the previous year. This generous contribution has been instrumental in supporting missionaries working alongside new and struggling faith communities to reach out with God’s love and mercy worldwide.
Fr Dermot highlighted the far-reaching impact of the donations, saying:
‘Your support has guaranteed the training of future generations of priests, religious sisters, and catechists, the provision of the sacraments, and the growth of the Church in Africa & Asia.’
A huge thank you to our supporters in Liverpool Archdiocese, and across all the dioceses of England and Wales, for your incredible support of Mission!
Hallam Diocese: Sharing Stories of Mission
Two weeks later, on 21 September, our Mission Mass journey continued at Holy Rood Catholic Church in Barnsley. Here, supporters gathered to celebrate and share their experiences. Fr Dermot Byrne MHM returned to celebrate the Mass, joined by Fr Damian Humphries, the Parish Priest, and Deacon Paul Green.
The Hallam event was particularly touching, as it provided an opportunity for attendees to share personal stories of how mission work had impacted their lives. One such story came from Okeoghene, a parishioner originally from Nigeria, who shared how her parents became Catholics after attending Catholic Mission Schools in Nigeria. What a wonderful testament to the lasting impact of mission work across generations!
The Heart of Mission: Every Baptized Person
At both Masses, Fr Dermot delivered a powerful message:
‘Every baptised person is called to be a missionary.’
He explained that missionary work isn’t always about dramatic overseas adventures. Often, it involves the steady, behind-the-scenes work of education, administration, and community building.
‘When you give money, you provide an educated and capable leadership for Church communities, villages, towns and a whole society,”
Fr Dermot emphasised how even seemingly small contributions can create ripples of positive change across the world. Hence the wonderful work made possible by the Red Box: Over 100 years of pennies and pounds have been supporting the spreading of the Gospel overseas, and sharing God’s love with our sisters and brothers in the furthest corners of the world!
Join Us in Our Mission
Our Mission Masses are a celebration of faith, generosity, and the global Catholic community. They offer a unique opportunity to connect with fellow supporters, hear inspiring stories, and learn about the real-world impact of your support.
And everyone’s invited! Come and be part of this beautiful mission. Whether you’re a long-time supporter or new to Missio England and Wales, there’s a place for you in our community. Visit our Mission Masses page to find upcoming events in your diocese. Join us as we continue to spread God’s love across the world – one Mass; one prayer; one act of generosity at a time.
Thank you to everyone who attended our recent Mission Masses, and to all our supporters worldwide. Your faith and generosity are truly making a difference. Together, we are the hands and feet of Christ, reaching out to those in need across the globe.
October: A special month for mission
This month, the Holy Father calls us to pray for our common mission, and the synodal journey of our global Church family. There is no better way to support the global mission of the Church than to support Missio, through Mission Month and World Mission Sunday!
- Find out more about World Mission Sunday here>>
- Get involved in October, through prayers, donations and community fundraising
- Join us for a Mission Mass! Our Masses are open to everyone. Click here to find your nearest >>