Our mission of hope for the world is made possible by you – our amazing supporters and volunteers!
Throughout the year, the generosity and dedication of our supporters once again changed lives around the world. At our Mission Masses, our Missio family here in England and Wales gets the chance to meet missionaries who share their experiences and thoughts on ‘mission’ overseas. These events are a remarkable celebration of faith in action.
One such event was our annual Mission Mass for Leeds Diocese, which took place in the Parish of St John Vianney (St Paul’s Church) in Leeds. Supporters met Fr Peter, Missio’s National Director in Malawi, and Fr Ignatius, the Missio Diocesan Director for the Archdiocese of Nairobi in Kenya. Both missionaries shared stories from their work and concelebrated a special Mission Mass with Missio’s Leeds Diocesan Director, Fr Jonathan Hart, and Fr Anthony Chantry, our National Director for Missio in England and Wales
Hope for the disheartened
In his homily, Fr Ignatius explained that the support from individuals and families through Missio in England and Wales was a celebration of the mission of the Church and of those who bring hope. He spoke about how, when he decided to become a Priest, a Catholic family offered to journey with him. They supported him during his priestly formation and continued to after his ordination. Their prayers and love gave him hope.
Fr Ignatius gave thanks for God’s bountiful harvest, and for you – Missio supporters – who journey with missionaries through your prayers and sacrifices. You bring succour and hope to faith communities overseas.
Fr Ignatius explained that we are meant to be ‘instruments of hope’ to others. He invited us to pray that we may not get tired, so that we can be a source of encouragement to all those who are weary and discouraged – especially missionaries, whose work is so often carried out in difficult and dangerous circumstances. Through our support, and with God’s help, we may truly play a part in bringing everyone to the banquet of God’s love.
Watch Fr Ignatius’ message from Mission Month below:
Mission in Malawi
After Mass, Fr Peter talked to attendees. He thanked supporters for the help they provide: help which trains seminarians, educates children, and enables missionaries to share God’s love with all people. He shared that the Church in Africa is growing and that, on World Mission Sunday, he had attended a vibrant celebration attended by over 2,000 people!
Thank you!
Through your support, missionaries like Fr Ignatius and Fr Peter can reach out to communities in need and show them that they are loved – by God and by us.