A wonderful moment to witness children helping children!
Storm Chandra did not dampen the spirits of pupils and staff who braved the wind and rain to join Middlesbrough’s first Mission Together Mass on 27 January. Six local Catholic schools gathered at English Martyrs Parish, York to pray, play, and get inspired for mission…
Canon Michael Loughlin presided at this special and joyful celebration of the Pope’s charity Missio and its children’s branch Mission Together. He showed how, thanks to prayers and fundraising from our young supporters, Mission Together can share Christ’s love in places of poverty and conflict, through practical help and pastoral care.
Everybody helps
The Mass was a wonderful opportunity to thank everyone – pupils, staff, and all of Missio’s parish and school volunteers – for helping make mission possible. And so many people helped make the day extra special! Canon Michael was ably assisted by altar servers Robbie and Niamh from All Saints School; pupils from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Primary did a wonderful job delivering Scripture and bidding prayers, and more students from All Saints School dramatised the day’s Gospel (Luke 10:1-9), helping pupils to reflect on discipleship through history and today.
A local heart for mission
In his homily Canon Michael expanded on the message of missionary discipleship, encouraging all of us to consider the ways in which we can share the message of Christ’s love with everyone we meet. One excellent example of this was local woman and future saint, Mary Ward.
Mary’s story was woven into the Gospel drama and Canon Michael expanded upon this, explaining that Mary Ward lived during a time in Britain’s history when living one’s Catholic faith risked imprisonment or death. In spite of this, Mary courageously shared the love of God through word and action; and the order of sisters she founded – the Congregation of Jesus – continue to do so as missionary disciples around the world today.
A special award for Margaret
At the end of Mass, Red Box volunteer Mrs Margaret Walker from St Margaret Clitherow parish, Haxby, received a long service medal and certificate for her 43 years of service. Margaret’s witness of faith and her commitment to share Christ’s love in the world was not lost on the young people gathered, who gave her a big round of applause.
Margaret joined pupils for refreshments in the parish hall after Mass, although she wisely stepped back from an energetic interactive activity designed to help pupils get to know each other!
Thanks all round!
St George’s class teacher Mrs Humphries who attended the Mass with her Faith in Action pupils, said of the event:
‘Thank you so much for organising everything so well and inviting St George’s. Our pupils truly enjoyed the Mass and the activity in the church hall.’
Class Teacher Mr Hartley from Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, echoed her sentiment, saying:
‘Thank you so much for organising the Mass. The children had a lovely time and came back to school excited to share their experiences.’
We want to say a huge ‘Thank you’ to all the schools who attended, and to the staff who practised and rehearsed with their students to ensure the Mission Together Mass was a great success. Thank you also to local Missio volunteers and English Martyrs parishioners who came along to join us in prayer.
About Mission Together
As the children’s branch of Missio – the Pope’s official charity for world mission – the aim of Mission Together is two-fold. We enable and empower young supporters in England and Wales to support Missio’s overseas children’s projects, through fundraising and prayer. We also support the mission of Catholic schools in England and Wales, through provision of free classroom and worship resources.
We also deliver assemblies in schools. For more information please visit MissionTogether.org.uk or email [email protected]