When so many of our sisters and brothers around the world are suffering through conflict and war, World Mission Sunday 2023 felt even more important than usual – a moment of grace to share with each other; to pray and raise funds for those in need and for the missionaries who accompany them to share God’s love.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to share your prayers and donations. Here are just some of the messages and stories we received:

Messages from across the diocese

We were delighted to get video messages from supporters across the dioceses in England and Wales: 

Deacon Charles sent good wishes from his parish in Bristol. 

Fr Mario, in Birkenhead, sent his thoughts on World Mission Sunday.

Two young supporters said a special prayer for Sister Mary, who features in our 2023 appeal.

Veronica in Cardiff Archdiocese sent this message, sending love and prayers to our global family. 

A huge thank you to everyone who shared their love and prayers for the world with us on World Mission Sunday!

This lovely message came from Loreto High School. Thank you for joining us! 

Our global family

For Mission Month, we invited parishes and communities to spend time thinking about and celebrating their own families and connections, both here and overseas.
St Anthony’s in Hull sent this photo of their World Map, which features the countries the parishioners have connections with highlighted in different colours. 

Gloria in Stockport, whom you can see in the featured image of this article with her family and friends from church, told us that she was thinking about her family in Nigeria and all over the world. She said on World Mission Sunday she wanted us to:

‘Love one another and promote the Gospel of peace and joy. Let’s continue to pray for places of conflict and continue to pray for the Pope in his leadership’.

More photos of our wonderful Missio family

Donate to World Mission Sunday

The need to stand alongside our missionaries in prayer and solidarity has never been so urgent and necessary. In many areas of the world, they will be the first to respond to the physical and spiritual needs of our sisters and brothers who are suffering.

Thank you for standing with us on World Mission Sunday. You can still donate to our appeal here>>

Feet on the move

We also invited parishes and communities to raise money and awareness by holding an ‘Emmaus Walk’ fundraiser in their area. Local Secretary, Linda, sent this photo of her parish community braving the elements on a wet and windy World Mission Sunday in East Anglia. She says:

‘We did do a very reduced walk but it was good training for me for any future events! The walk set off from St Joseph’s church, to the sea front & along the promenade, up steps to the bottom of the Beeston Bump which we missed out because the weather had turned nasty! So back to the church hall where we had a short talk, showed the video and enjoyed tea, cakes, and reminiscences over the Red Box!’

Thank you Linda, and all our Local Secretaries, who went the extra mile for Missio on World Mission Sunday. Thank you for spreading the word and setting hearts ablaze in your parishes! 

Stay in touch!

Did your parish or community take part in Mission Month this October? Don’t forget to let us know!

You can share your stories with us via our contact page, and follow us on Social Media to get all our updates for World Mission Sunday. Click the icons below to join our network!