All Ireland Champion Launches Mission Sunday Appeal

Posted on 15 October 2013

Mission Sunday, takes place on Sunday 20th October.  This year one of Clare’s All Ireland heroes, John Conlon from Clonlara, is lending his support to the Killaloe Diocese Mission Sunday Appeal

“I had the privilege of spending time in Ethiopia two years ago. During that time I saw first-hand how even the smallest support from home could bring about tremendous improvement in the quality of life for others. For me helping others is an important part of being a Christian and for that reason I am happy to support the Mission Sunday appeal happening across the Diocese of Killaloe next week.” On Mission Sunday we sense again our bond with the 1,500 Irish born missionaries serving in over 80 countries across the globe, most of whom are working day in day out with the very poor.

Two diocesan priests, Frs Tony Casey and Des Hillery returned from Peru just last year.  Terryglass born and former curate in Ennis Fr John  Molloy  continues to minister in Equador. Nearly every family knows, a priest, a sister or a lay person who has served on the missions. On Mission Sunday our thoughts, our prayers and our generosity each year extends especially to the 1,100 young churches most in need our support. Last year more than €2 million collected in Ireland was distributed to the world wide missionaries most in need. Fr. Tony Casey who returned from Peru last year said; “When you are far away in a different culture and society living among people who struggle for many of the things we take for granted, it means so much to be supported by those at home who share in your mission through their prayers and generous financial support.”

Fr. Des Hillery remarked: “Those of us who travel on mission are richly blessed to share in the faith and community life of people in distant parts of the world but we are deeply conscious that those at home who support us in that work make a profound impact on the lives of some of the world’s poorest people.” Our new Pope Francis invites to pray about the gift of our faith. He says:-  “Faith is God’s gift, offered to make our life more meaningful, better and more beautiful. It is a gift that one cannot keep to oneself.”

Fr Tom O’Halloran diocesan mission director says a very special thanks to the people of Killaloe diocese for your generosity over the years to the missions and once again appeals to your support even in these recessionary times, inviting you to give what you can afford.