Each month of the new calendar is a window into the ministry of Columban missionaries around the world and a practical guide to significant dates in the life of the Church.
Inspiration for the 2021 calendar has come from various sources. Pope Francis’ latest encyclical ‘Fratelli Tutti: on fraternity and social friendship’ resonates with the Columban experience of mission and we have selected brief quotations from the text to feature on seven of the twelve months. The calendar also features a prayer from ‘Fratelli Tutti’ on the back page.
You will see photos that illustrate how Columban communities in Chile and the Philippines have responded to the coronavirus pandemic and the calendar also features two Columbans ordained in the autumn of 2019, who have had a challenging first year as priests. Fr. Teakare Betero’s ordination in Fiji in November 2019 provided us with a colourful photo for the front cover.
A letter from Fr. Peter Hughes, our Director in Britain, features on the inside cover and he shares his prayer that, whatever your experience of 2020, “you have known the consolation of God’s abiding love and you feel hopeful as we begin our journey together through 2021”. The calendar is our gift to all who support Columban Mission. Thank you for your prayers and generosity!
Every supporter on our mailing list has already been sent a Columban Calendar. If you do not yet have one, please contact the Columban Mission Office on 01564 772 096 or email office@columbans.co.uk.
We’d love to know what you think of the calendar. What do you like most about it? Connect with us on Facebook to share your thoughts, photos and ideas for how we can make it even better.
