![full solihull team](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AGM-2022-Who-we-are-imge-change-1400x444.jpg)
Who we are
We are a group of Columban ordained and lay missionaries together with co-workers, who see ourselves being called to be a missionary presence in Britain, encouraging and listening to the local Church in its efforts to reach out beyond its boundaries for the sake of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Our Mission
Sharing our Columban mission experience, we respond to our call to evangelise in Britain by;
- raising awareness of, and eliciting support for, Columban missions
- working, in solidarity with the poor and the exploited earth, for justice, peace and the integrity of creation
- promoting life-giving relationships between peoples of different cultures and religions
- facilitating mission for others and the exchange of personnel and resources between Britain and other places where Columbans work.
Our Values
Seeking the signs of God’s Spirit at work in our situation, we engage in mission in cooperation with others of like vision and in openness to what God is doing among us and in our world.
Columban Missionaries live and share the Gospel of Jesus by:
- Working with poor and exploited peoples.
- Seeking justice and dignity for those denied their rights.
- Developing faith communities in the local church.
- Promoting dialogue between Christians and those from other religions.
- Growing a culture of peace.
- Advocating respect and care for the earth and the environment.
Our Spirituality
Columban Spirituality is a way of life guided and empowered by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. St. Paul often speaks about it in terms of ‘walking in the Spirit.’ Without the activity of the Spirit in us, it is not possible to follow Jesus, accept his message and live by his values. Columban missionary Spirituality is about being led by the Spirit as we commit ourselves to engage in the mission of Jesus in today’s world.
“Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The Columbans in Britain
Meet the Columban priests, Lay missionaries and co-workers responding to the call of mission in Britain.
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/John-Boles-profile-626x835.jpg)
Fr. John Boles
Columban Director in Britain and Mission Awareness and Appeals
![Adam Williams](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Adam-Profile-626x835.png)
Adam Williams
Mission Awareness and Appeals Coordinator and Personal Assistant
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/edit-1-10-626x835.png)
Mauricio Silva
Interreligious Dialogue Co-ordinator/ Ongoing Education Co-ordinator
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Profile-scaled-e1611574153431-626x835.jpg)
Nathalie Marytsch
Co-ordinator of Columban Lay Missionaries
![James Trewby](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/James-at-XR-Rebellion-14-10-19-Photo-MJN-626x835.jpg)
James Trewby
Justice, Peace and Ecology Co-ordinator
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_20210603_105518_resized_20210603_110153257-e1622719056233-626x835.jpg)
Fr. Bernard McDermott
Columban Vice Director in Britain
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_0007-scaled-e1599144794733-626x835.jpg)
Ellen Teague
Justice, Peace and Ecology Media
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/edit-tom-ryan-profile-image-march-22-626x835.png)
Fr. Tom Ryan
Mission Awareness and Appeals
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Fr.-Denis-Cropped-626x835.jpg)
Fr. Denis Carter
Mission Awareness and Appeals
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Edit-profile-image-March-22-1-626x835.png)
Fr. Patrick O'Beirne
Mission Awareness and Appeals
![John Collins](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/edit-profile-image-march-22-626x835.png)
Fr. John Collins
Mission Awareness and Appeals
![Gertrudes C Samson](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/20201014_125621-626x835.jpg)
Gertrudes C Samson
Lay Missionary
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Fr.-Ray-Collier-SSC-626x835.jpg)
Fr. Raymond Collier
Birmingham Ministry
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/edit-profile-Emma-march-22-626x835.png)
Emma Darling
Communications Officer
![Fr. Pat Sayles](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Pat-Sayles-626x835.png)
Fr. Pat Sayles
The Prayer Trust
![](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Ed-OConnell-profile-626x835.jpg)
Fr. Ed O'Connell
British Region Member
![Shay Cullen smiling at camera](https://columbans.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Fr.-Shay-Cullen_-2006-626x835.jpeg)