Mass for returned missionaries and their benefactors followed by photographic exhibition

09 Oct 2017

On Sunday 8 October, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA was chief celebrant at a Mass for returned missionaries and their benefactors in Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co Kildare.  The Mass was followed by the hosting of a photographic exhibition, and is 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’. 

The photographic exhibition highlighted the work undertaken by Irish missionaries to Kenya over a period of 100 years (1916-2016).  The exhibition was arranged by Mrs Brona O’Neill, wife of His Excellency Dr Vincent O’Neill, Ireland’s Ambassador to Kenya.

In attendance at the Mass and exhibition were 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.

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. 

ENDS