'Sharing Gospel Joy' on World Mission Day 2016

"We must never tire of sharing the joy of the Gospel", said the keynote speaker at Saturday's Columban day 'Sharing Gospel Joy' in Central London. Columban Fr Tom O'Reilly, a Director of the Society in Britain for five years and with a decade of experience working in Pakistan, also underlined that "all of us are missionaries, rooted in our baptism". He focused on how our understanding of mission has evolved since Vatican II. "Reading the signs of the times" he said, "we must listen and receive before we speak and give".

Using the famous Rublev icon as a focus, he called for a Church that is "open, welcoming and hospitable", particularly to people who are poor, strangers or migrants. "Migrants have always played a central role in mission" he said, a point picked up by several of around 80 participants, that their Westminster parishes are multicultural in character and enriched by it.

Columban missionaries cross boundaries of culture, language and religion to participate in God's mission. In 2016 the Columbans have been visiting parishes in the Westminster diocese for the Annual Mission Appeals and the day, at Maria Fidelis School in Euston, was offered in thanksgiving for the welcome, hospitality and generous support received. A similar day was held last year in Liverpool Archdiocese after Columban mission appeals there. After a welcome at the door from Columban Fr Tom Ryan and a team of Columban co-workers, participants in London sat at tables named after countries where Columbans work, including China, Chile and Fiji, and browsed stalls of resources from Columbans, Pax Christi, CAFOD and Westminster Justice and Peace Commission. Before lunch - eco-organic platters of food served at the tables - Fr Jim Fleming said a grace in Urdu.

Four workshops included a 'Perspectives on the ground' meeting with three Columban missionaries, two ordained; Fr Liam Carey is based in Peru, Fr Denis Carter worked for 17 years in Pakistan and Julia Corcoran spent a year as a Columban 'Faith in Action' volunteer, and a part of that visiting Columban missionaries working on the US/Mexico border. They then spoke and took questions. Ellen Teague of the Columban team for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation ran a workshop on 'The inspiration of Laudato Si'. She highlighted Columban action on environmental justice and promoted a study programme based on themes in the 2015 environment encyclical. Mauricio Silva, the Columban Inter-Religious Dialogue and Lay Mission Coordinator, spoke about Columban work at Fatima House, a collaboration between the Archdiocese of Birmingham and the Columbans, which offers temporary accommodation in Birmingham to up to nine destitute woman asylum seekers.

In a collaboration with the Westminster Diocesan Agency for Evalgelisation, Fr Chris Vipers and Ausra Cane ran a workshop exploring initiatives to create a secure legacy for evangelisation in Westminster Archdiocese. This responds to the call of Pope Francis in Evangelii Gaudium to build missionary parishes and form joyful missionary disciples.

The day concluded with Mass celebrated by current Columban Director, Fr Peter Hughes, who used the Prayer of St Francis as an inspiration for Columban mission to work for God's Kingdom on Earth, bringing peace and healing. Music was led by an ad hoc group including Salesian Fr Martin Poulsom, Josephine Siedlecka and members of the Folk Group of St Joseph's Parish in Wealdstone. The Bill Tamblyn chant 'Go out to the whole world, proclaim the Good News' was sung in a round with great gusto and Bernadette Farrell's Jubilee Song concluded, with the lyrics: "Through all times and through all ages, your Word is our living way. That the world be made new, keep your gospel people true. Let us once again with courage, rise and follow you."

See also:Text: Columban Fr Tom O'Reilly on Perspectives in Mission Today www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=31189

For more information on the Columbans see: www.columbans.co.uk