Our Mission Masses continue to bring communities together in celebration of the Church’s universal mission. The recent Diocesan Mission Mass at Shrewsbury Cathedral was a beautiful reminder of the faithful witness our supporters are in our lives every day. You are truly beacons of hope in our world.

A Cathedral welcome

On Saturday 7 June, Shrewsbury Cathedral welcomed supporters from across the diocese for a memorable Diocesan Mission Mass. Supporters and volunteers gathered from parishes including Hazel Grove, Market Drayton, Shifnal, Chester, Stalybridge and Appleton, alongside the regular Cathedral congregation.

Fr Anthony Grace, Missio Diocesan Director for Shrewsbury, organised a coach from St Gabriel’s, Alsager and St Anne’s, Nantwich, bringing about 50 people to join this special celebration.

Bishop Mark Davies led the Mass, joined by Missio’s National Director, Fr Anthony Chantry and Fr Dermot Byrne MHM, the British Regional of the Mill Hill Missionaries.

What does success look like?

In his homily, Bishop Davies reflected on a question he was asked as a young bishop: what success would look like for him as a Bishop? This led to him reflecting on the much bigger question:

‘What does success look like in the Church?’

Drawing from the day’s readings, he noted how the Acts of the Apostles shows St Paul continuing his ministry even whilst under house arrest in Rome:

‘He welcomed all who came to him, teaching with boldness and proclaiming the Gospel. Paul’s success was his unwavering faithfulness!’

Similarly, Bishop Davies explained, Peter’s love endured throughout his life, his witness continuing through his successors and inspiring the Church today.

He emphasised that the Church’s success is found in fulfilling the vocation to mission faithfully, becoming lights of hope in our world. Such witness continues to inspire many to find faith and hope throughout history.

Saints and witnesses

Bishop Davies drew attention to the relics of St Charles Lwanga and companions, the martyrs of Uganda, which are placed in the Cathedral’s altar. These saints, he noted, represent the countless witnesses whose faithful lives continue to inspire the Church’s mission today. He concluded:

‘Success in mission will always be determined by our faithfulness and dedication to serving others. Missio supports the global mission of the Church today. Your work and prayers help this mission to continue, bringing hope to communities worldwide.’

Mission in action today

At the end of the Mass, Fr Anthony Chantry offered heartfelt thanks to all volunteers and supporters, as well as sharing messages from the people whose lives they change throughout the world.

He recounted his recent visit to Cambodia, where the Church, destroyed during the time of Pol Pot, is now flourishing despite small numbers of Catholics. At a Peace Village, he shared, where the Church helps disabled children from remote areas who have no other support, an elderly woman took his hand and said ‘Thank you’. With the help of a translator, she pointed out her grandson. She explained that when he had first arrived six months previously, ‘he had only been able to move by crawling on his tummy’, but now, with help and support from the Peace Village, ‘he is running around’. Fr Anthony shared:

‘That child is a symbol of what mission is about – raising people up by the power of the Spirit.’

Fr Anthony also shared his experience at the refugee camp in northwest Thailand, bordering Myanmar. This is a place where people who have lost everything, including family members, can rediscover hope. When he visited a couple of years ago, they asked for a church – not a building as beautiful as the cathedral, but somewhere to celebrate Mass and for catechesis. When he returned last year, Fr Anthony was witness to a real change:

‘With local contributions and Missio’s help, they had built a simple, large church. For people who may never be able to get back home, the Church is a symbol of hope and a reminder that they are not forgotten. They know that God loves them and we can do our bit to help bring that love to life for them. The joy of the people, despite their uncertain future, was infectious. It was such a clear example of the difference mission can make for the poorest and it reminded me that we have so much to learn from people who live their life on the margins.’

Read more about the refugee camp in Thailand>>