“Keep me as the apple of your eye, hide me in the shadow of your wings. But I in justice shall behold your face; on waking I shall be content in your presence.”

It is wonderful to be back with you, refreshed and rejuvenated after my recent home leave to Germany and Poland, and equally wonderful to arrive back just in time to celebrate World Mission Day.

Pope Francis reminds us in his Message for World Mission Day that this year is the 90th anniversary of this special day in the Church’s calendar which aims to celebrate the Church’s missionary nature, reinforce the call to Mission for all the baptised, and to raise awareness of and funds for missionary activity around the world.

Love, a simple word, consists of only four letters, pronounced with one syllable since the e is silent, and yet by nature requires the passionate characteristic. 

When one is invited to a party there is the expectation of a good time to be had: 

Mission Month has been a wonderful celebration this year, as our parishes and communities throughout the Province joined with the Universal Church in refocusing on what (or who) Mission is and how we can strive to live it more fully.

Of course, Mission is God, the fount of all love, and as missionaries, both lay and religious, we are all spreaders and sharers of God’s love.