Our Mission Masses are truly special and unique celebrations. A recent Mass in Shepshed (Nottingham Diocese) was a wonderful opportunity to come together in support of mission, meet our supporters and thank our volunteers.
A jubilant celebration in Shepshed
On Saturday 10 May, St Winefride’s Church in Shepshed welcomed supporters from across the Nottingham Diocese for a memorable Diocesan Mission Mass. Supporter, Erica, and fellow volunteers from St Winefride’s decorated the church beautifully with flowers in Missio’s red and white colours, creating a vibrant backdrop for Good Shepherd Sunday.
Welcoming special guests
Bishop Patrick McKinney concelebrated the Mass alongside Fr Anthony Chantry, our National Director in England and Wales, and St Winefride’s Parish Priest, Fr Patrick Bassey, who is also the newly appointed Missio Diocesan Director for Nottingham. Mrs Angela Maratos, Assistant Diocesan Director, also joined us.
Historic moment
The Mass had added significance, happening just days after the election of Pope Leo XIV on Thursday 8 May. Fr Anthony reflected on this momentous occasion in his homily, sharing how he had learned of the papal election whilst attending a course for priests from overseas who are ministering in England and Wales. The selection of Cardinal Robert Prevost came as a surprise to many. ‘The Holy Spirit had been working overtime!’ he observed.
‘Pope Leo XIV is a missionary. He has spent many years in Peru working with those who are poor, at the coalface. He said in his first homily as Pope that “Even today, there are many settings in which the Christian faith is considered absurd, meant for the weak and unintelligent… These are contexts where it is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth, where believers are mocked, opposed, despised or at best tolerated and pitied. Yet, precisely for this reason, they are the places where our missionary outreach is desperately needed”.’
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Mission in action
Fr Anthony shared the remarkable story of Fr Stephen, a Cambodian priest in his fifties, whose journey from Buddhism to Christianity was inspired by Christ’s radical call to ‘Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you’ (Luke 6:27-36). Despite being shunned by his family and enduring years of silence from his father, Fr Stephen persevered in his calling to serve the Church in Cambodia.
Fr Anthony also recounted his visit to a refugee camp on the Myanmar-Thailand border, where displaced families found hope in a simple wooden church. Through your support of Missio, the fragile structure was replaced with a permanent building: a symbol of hope for the future, and an example of how the Church can be a beacon of hope on the margins.
Read about the Church in the refugee camp here>>
A personal mission testimony
At the end of Mass, Fr Patrick offered a deeply personal reflection on his new role as Diocesan Director. He shared that he had been supported by Missio during his seminary training for the priesthood through the generous sponsorship of Frederick Marklew from England, who ‘saved pennies… to train a young seminarian.’
Fr Patrick expressed his determination to give back what he had received:
‘I never knew that one day I would come to England and then be given the responsibility for promoting the work of mission.’
He accepted his new role ‘with humility and a sense of responsibility, stepping into it with joy, not fear.’
Find out more about seminarian sponsorship here>>
A living symbol of hope
The celebration concluded as Bishop Patrick planted a Malus ‘Red Glow’ crab apple tree in the church grounds. Fr Bassey explained:
‘Every time we pass by the tree we will remember what we have done and our commitment to mission. We will reap the fruit God will grant us, as symbolised by the tree.’
Thank you, Nottingham!
After Mass, we gathered in the parish hall for refreshments; a great opportunity for supporters to connect and share in the joy of their collective mission work.
The Mission Mass at St Winefride’s beautifully demonstrated how communities across the Nottingham Diocese continue to support brothers and sisters in faith across Asia, Oceania, South America and Africa. It served as a powerful reminder that mission is about those who give, pray and encourage others.
In 2024, Nottingham Diocese raised an amazing £168,247 through wonderful supporters and volunteers!
Thank you, Nottingham, for truly embodying Fr Bassey’s words:
‘We are a missionary church. Every small act will not go unrewarded.’
Join us for a special Celebration of mission!
Throughout the year, Mission Masses and Mission Animation Events take place across England and Wales to celebrate all things ‘mission’, pray for missionaries, and come together in prayer. Please do check back to this page for gatherings happening near you.
If you’d like to talk to someone about arranging a talk from a Missio representative in your parish, please get in touch.