World Mission Sunday is such a wonderful day to celebrate with our entire global Missio family. We love getting out and about and joining our supporters, volunteers and parish communities in support of Mission. And as usual, Missio supporters have been wonderful in their support and encouragement. Here are some impressions of the day…

A Warm Welcome in York

Mission Together Coordinator Claire joined English Martyrs parish, York, to celebrate World Mission Sunday. She shared:

‘It was a wonderful opportunity to share news about this special day of global solidarity and pray together as one body in Christ with our brothers and sisters, wherever they were in the world.

The parish provided a warm welcome and were generous in their response to support God’s global family through spiritual care and practical relief.

As the parish church hosts an impressive display of English martyrs relics, there was also a moving reminder of the price paid by others – missionaries included – to hand on the precious gift of faith.’

Thank you so much to everyone at English Martyrs for your wonderful support of World Mission Sunday.

It’s not too late to donate to World Mission Sunday. Click here to give>>

Mission is alive in Liverpool

Theresa joined volunteers and supporters for a special Mission Mass for Liverpool Archdiocese, to celebrate the Beatification and legacy of Pauline Jaricot. The service was concelebrated by Bishop Thomas Neylon, Parish Priest Canon Christopher Fallon, Mill Hill Missionaries Fr Mark Connolly and Fr John Kirwan, and Missio’s Diocesan Director for Liverpool, Deacon Anthony Callaghan.

In his homily, Bishop Tom spoke about the Red Box, which, he said, is a reminder that we are called to be a missionary Church. He called our attention to the example of Pauline Jaricot, who gathered people around her to pray and raise money for the missions; and of St Therese of Lisieux, who, though  confined to a Carmelite Convent, desired to be a missionary so she prayed for those to travelled overseas as missionaries.

In this way he reminded us that, while not all of us are called to travel overseas like Fr Mark and Fr John, we are all called to be preachers of the Gospel. We can pray and give generously, inspired by the life of Blessed Pauline Jaricot.

Theresa shares:

‘It was great to meet, in person, so many volunteers and supporters who I’ve only spoken to over the phone, or seen online, and to have a chance to chat over refreshments (thanks to the UCM) in the Parish Hall. Bishop Neylon’s words in his homily really said it all: “The Red Box is a reminder that we are called to be a missionary Church.”’

Birmingham reaches out to the world

Dave was in Birmingham Archdiocese for World Mission Sunday. Three brilliant Missio Local Secretaries Mike, Steve and Patrick did so much work organising collections in their parishes, and sharing our mission at Mass.

Dave shares:

‘We had a great time in Holy Trinity & Sacred Heart, Sutton Coldfield in the Archdiocese of Birmingham, meeting supporters and volunteers. It was so great to see everyone come together in support of mission. Father Michael said that ‘World Mission Sunday connects us to Catholic across the entire world. We reach out in friendship to them and everyone who comes through our door’, and those words will stick with me.

‘A big thank you goes to our Missio volunteers, Mike, Steve & Patrick for organising such a fantastic weekend.’

Thank you, Holy Trinity & Sacred Heart, for a wonderful welcome and a successful weekend!

Your donations make all the difference. Read about Maria and this year’s World Mission Sunday campaign here>>

It’s not too late to donate to World Mission Sunday. Click here to give>>

Witnessing Mission at Westminster Cathedral

Tariq, Evangeline and Elaine (featured image) volunteered at three Masses at Westminster Cathedral. Despite the rain, Missio supporters turned out enthusiastically to give and pray for World Mission. He shares:

‘There was a great atmosphere at all the Masses. Fr Kevin Hughes MHM gave a wonderful and very down to earth homily, explaining the crucial difference Missio makes around the world. He reminded us that everyone is an apostle – we are all called to go out into the world as witnesses.

‘The congregation was so engaged, and everyone gave so generously after each Mass. There were some big donations – but also so many people giving as much as they could afford, and it’s all important and so gratefully received – every penny counts!’

Super support from Salford

Nicky attended Masses at Holy Trinity Parish in Worsley, Salford Diocese. She shares:

‘The three Mass Centres were so welcoming and it was great to have the opportunity to thank our volunteers in the parish and to focus attention on the work of brave missionaries in Ethiopia and throughout the world.

‘Parishioners said they liked hearing about how the Pope asks every Catholic in the world to celebrate World Mission Sunday on the same day each year and how in many countries it is the only collection taken on that Sunday.

‘The Parish Priest,Mgr John Dale, recounted how, when he had been a missionary in Kenya over 30 years ago, they had also had a collection. World Mission Sunday is a true sign of the unity and solidarity we can live out in our global Church!’

…and on across the world!

One of the most wonderful things about World Mission Sunday is exactly that: the global nature of the celebration and the fact that every parish across the world is involved. We loved hearing from our sisters and brothers overseas – something that is made so much more possible thanks to social media. We loved this tweet from Koraliang diocese in India:

We were delighted to receive some lovely footage of children celebrating World Mission Sunday inFundong Parish, Cameroon, which you help to support through your donations and prayers. In return they are holding you in prayer, on World Mission Sunday and beyond:

It’s not too late to donate to World Mission Sunday. Click here to give>>

Why we do what we do

Missionaries around the world rely on the World Mission Sunday appeal for support to continue their life of service to share God’s love with those who suffer. By taking part, you too stood in solidarity with our sisters and brothers in need of our help and shared with them the hope of a better life.

Our focus this year was on Maria – a Spanish lay missionary – living, working and witnessing in Meki, Ethiopia. Maria is the Director of the Kidist Mariam Centre, which provides a safe, supportive, and educational environment for vulnerable women. Maria is a channel of Our Lady’s love, kindness and grace, and through her witness, encourages and nurtures women who have been abused and exploited to rebuild their lives. You can read more about her and the work she does here>>

THANK YOU for standing with us this World Mission Sunday, encouraged by the promise of the power of the Holy Spirit. Together we strive to build a Church of compassion and hope by giving witness to Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

It’s not too late to donate to World Mission Sunday. Click here to give>>