Mass in Kildare today for returned missionaries

A Mass for returned missionaries and their benefactors takes place today in Saint Joseph’s Oratory, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth,

The Mass, which will be followed by the hosting of a photographic exhibition, 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’.

Chief celebrant and preacher will be Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly SMA, who is Archbishop of Cashel & Emly and chair of the Council for Missions of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

In attendance will be Irish missionaries who have ministered in Africa, Asia, South America, Europe and Oceania;  donors to World Missions Ireland and Sister Elizabeth Murphy and the general secretary of the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland.

The photographic exhibition showing 100 years of missionary work in Kenya (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 (www.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 two-fold purpose of Mission Month is to raise awareness about the evangelising work of Irish missionaries abroad, and to raise funds to support their work.