- The 2017 theme for Mission Month is ‘Reach Out and Spread the Joy’
You, or a representative, are invited to attend the celebration of Mass for returned missionaries and their benefactors. The Mass, which will be followed by the hosting of a photographic exhibition, are part of a number of celebrations organised by World Missions Ireland to mark October as ‘Mission Month’. The theme for Mission Month is ‘Reach Out and Spread the Joy’. Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA will be the chief celebrant and preacher at the Mass. Details:
| Where | Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co Kildare |
| When | Sunday 8 October 2017 at 2.00pm. Light refreshments will be served afterwards |
| In attendance | Irish missionaries who have ministered in Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and Oceania; donors to World Missions Ireland and Sister Elizabeth Murphy, general secretary of the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland |
| Photo opportunity | Photographic exhibition showing 100 years of missionary work in Kenya |
Background
- The photographic exhibition will be on view for those attending the Mass and it will highlight the work undertaken by Irish missionaries to Kenya over a period of 100 years (1916-2016). This exhibition has been arranged by Mrs Brona O’Neill, wife of His Excellency Dr Vincent O’Neill, Ireland’s Ambassador to Kenya.
- World Missions Ireland (wmi.ie) is part of Pope Francis’ official charity for overseas mission and it is responsible for coordinating resources and for distributing these equitably on the basis of need. The twofold purpose of Mission Month is to raise awareness about the evangelising work of Irish missionaries abroad, and to raise funds to support their work.
- Archbishop O’Reilly is Archbishop of Cashel & Emly and chair of the Council for Missions of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
ENDS
For media contact: Catholic Communications Office Maynooth: Martin Long 00353 (0) 86 172 7678 and Katie Crosby 00353 (0) 86 862 3298
