The Columbans respond to the call to evangelise in Britain by raising awareness of, and eliciting support for, Columban missions around the world working in solidarity with the poor and the exploited Earth, for justice, peace and the integrity of creation. We share a vision to promote life-giving relationships between people of different cultures and religions and to facilitate mission in Britain and in other places where Columbans work.
Each year, religious missionary organisations are assigned one or more dioceses by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in England & Wales to promote their international mission work, to appeal for financial support and to invite prayers for their ministries.
This year the Columban Missionaries have been assigned the Archdiocese of Liverpool which extends from the River Mersey to the River Ribble and encompasses parts of Lancashire, north Cheshire, Greater Manchester and the Isle of Man, and the Diocese of Brentwood, which includes the London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest. The Columbans last visited these dioceses in 2015 and 2012 respectively, and the Mission Awareness Team are looking forward to renewing their acquaintance with the local Church in these areas.
Fr. Bernard McDermott, Columban Vice Director in Britain, is a member of the Columban Mission Awareness Team. He explains, “I thoroughly enjoy travelling to different dioceses to promote mission awareness, in particular how the Columbans are responding to their missionary call. It’s a joy to meet parishioners and to share with them the Gospel.” He adds, “Mission appeals are a wonderful opportunity for us to nurture the missionary spirit and invite prayers for our missionaries and the people they serve. We’re able to explain how our benefactor’s generous donations are used to improve the lives of marginalised and disadvantaged communities in the places where we work such as Peru, the Philippines and Taiwan.”
Helen Dufficy is the Columban Mission Appeals Coordinator for the Columbans in Britain and is responsible for organising parish visits this year. Many of you will have been contacted by her last year inviting you to book a visit by a member of the team but if you’ve not yet placed a booking and wish to do so, please email her: helen.dufficy@columbans.co.uk.
