1st October marks the beginning of Mission Month, the annual worldwide Catholic celebration of the church’s missionary activity. October gives us the opportunity to unite with our missionary brothers and sisters through spiritual and material support. The theme for 2014 is ‘That you may have life’.
‘Even the weakest and most vulnerable, the sick, the old, the unborn and the poor, are masterpieces of God’s creation, made in his own image, destined to live forever, and deserving of the utmost reverence and respect… so that “everything that breathes may praise the Lord” ‘ – (from the message of Pope Francis for the Day for Life 2013.)
Let us remember and pray for all our missionaries throughout the world that God may bless their work and mission.
Prayer to St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus – Patron of the Missions
“Teach us how to open our hearts without reserve to the Holy Spirit as you did, to seek and find God’s will in all the crisis and choices,in the joys and disappointments of our lives. Gain for us too the grace to do His will with courage and untroubled hearts so that we may radiate a joy and a gladness like yours in the service of Our Lord. Amen.”
Timirí 
During the month of October it is an opportunity for us to support the work done by the Brothers and their many helpers and associates working at so many different projects in different parts of the world, among some of the most marginalised people in our society. I have had the opportunity to visit the Barrios with Br. Jim O’Doherty in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he caters for the needs of the poor and to Centro Hermano Manolo, Cochabamba, in Bolivia where Br. Eddie Mc Ardle, his community and helpers work with Street Children/Street Workers, helping and supporting them through education and advocacy. In July 2013 a group of young adults from the Maranatha Youth Club, Kilbarrack and myself spent time with the Brothers in Mazabuka, Zambia, working with Br. Alfred Banda and Br. Mubela Jackson in Changa Changa Primary Community School, involved with extremely poor children and in the City of Joy, a project for young girls at risk, run by the Salesian Sisters. This experience touched our members and we all returned home with changed hearts. We are now looking forward to a return visit in July 2015. This important work carries on quietly without too much fanfare or publicity. Among these people the work of Blessed Edmund Rice continues with great dedication and compassion.
You can be involved during this month by remembering our Missionary Brothers and Sisters in our prayers. We can also help them financially to achieve their aims. If you would like to assist in any other way please let me know.
LikeLiked by 1 person