Mission Co-operative

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Mission Co-operative

The mandate of the Mission Co-operative Program is to promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ in developing countries by:

  • Providing food, clean water, clothing, medical and dental care and supplies, tuition, school supplies, and literacy training to those in need in developing countries;
  • Supporting the on-going formation of missionaries in the evangelization of the Word of God;
  • Supporting the work of catechists in developing countries;
  • Educating the parishes of the Dioceses about the work of missionaries and missionary groups.

This past six weeks, I visited two parishes in the Hamilton Diocese to celebrate Eucharist at all the week-end services and preach a homily regarding the parish as an agent of the Mission of Christ bringing about the Kingdom of the Father. Bro. Harley Mapes did the same with a third parish in that Diocese. Bro. Dan Dionne assisted me as I also used a power-point to share pictures about the Mission in Kenya and handed out copies of the “Oblate Spirit” and a complimentary small bag of Kenyan Tea as a show of gratitude from our friends in Kenya.

A couple of our Associates, Dave and Marie Morgan also joined me as I did the same in Almonte in the Ottawa Diocese.

We hope that beyond the effects of a single collection we may gain some who might join the ranks of MAMI members. I would invite all Oblates, in your own parishes, to make an effort once a year to speak of MAMI and promote the “Oblate Spirit” magazine that informs Catholics about our different pastoral work and missions. Often, I see the “Oblate Spirit” magazine after months remaining on the book shelf. Make an effort to promote it and hand it out to people. We need to build up our MAMI membership as it is declining. Let us help our friends to know that we need them as partners in our mission. One thing I emphasized in regard to our missionary outreach in Kenya was our approach regarding support of the various projects that the people have chosen. We are partners with them, not just charity givers. We match their generous gifts to community projects, shilling for shilling. They feel great pride in what they accomplish with the partnership of donors from Canada.

By Ken Forster, OMI