Missio supporters and volunteers had a very special opportunity last weekend, as they shared a celebration of Mission with Fr Noah MHM – whom you may recognise from last year’s Christmas campaign.

It’s always a pleasure to meet our Missio family here in England and Wales. This is especially true this year, both because we’re celebrating the beatification and legacy of our founder, Blessed Pauline Jaricot, and because we can meet with friends and volunteers we haven’t seen for a while, thanks to the COVID-19 restrictions of the past few years.

But our recent Mission Mass in Leeds went one joyful step further. We were joined by Fr Noah Mbabazi MHM, whose parish project to build classrooms for children in Cameroon featured in last year’s Christmas Appeal.

A lot to celebrate

The Mass was held on the Feast Day of St Thérèse of Lisieux, Patron of the Missions, at St Joseph’s, Batley Carr, with Fr Jonathan Hart (Missio Diocesan Director for Leeds) and Fr Noah Monday Mbabazi MHM concelebrating.

Fr Noah, originally from Uganda, has been appointed to work with Missio and the Mill Hill Missionaries here in England. He’d only been in the UK for a week so we were delighted he could join us.

In his homily, he spoke of the inspiration that he draws for mission from St Therese and Blessed Pauline, and shared how we can too.

Read more about Blessed Pauline and her inspirational legacy here>>

Updates from Cameroon

Before Mass, Fr Noah gave an illustrated presentation, speaking particularly about the Missio-funded project he was involved with in Fundong, Cameroon. Last year, Missio supporters helped fund the community to build new classrooms for the growing number of internally displaced children, whose families had been forced to flee the ongoing conflict.

Fr Noah expressed his gratitude to all for the support the community in Fundong, Cameroon has received, thanks to the fundraising in parishes through the Red Box and our Mission Together Christmas appeal.

Read more about how you helped Fr Noah’s project in Cameroon here>>

Thanking our local Missio Heroes

One of the great things about Diocesan Mission Masses is that we get to say a big ‘thank you’ to those local Missio heroes who worked tirelessly to promote Missio and our vital work. This Mass was no different as we celebrated Shelagh (pictured with Fr Jonathan and Fr Noah above), a Local Secretary from Ossett. She received a bronze award for an amazing ten years in the post.

Shelagh, you’re amazing. We couldn’t do what we do without you!

Alongside the Mass, parish volunteers provided wonderful refreshments the Parish Hall, with home-made cakes supplied by parishioners of St Joseph’s.

A huge thank you to everyone at St Joseph’s for hosting such a great Mission Mass!