OVERSEAS MISSION

To send missionaries to other countries has been a practice in the Church from the very beginning. Saint Paul proclaimed the good news in many countries as we can see from the titles of letters to Romans, Corinthians and Ephesians. Saint Patrick came from another country to initiate the work of evangelization in this country. At school we will have heard about Irish saints such as Columbanus, Killlian and Colmcille who went overseas to preach the Gospel.

In more recent times –from about the middle of the 19th century – many Irish missionaries have gone abroad and committed themselves to the work of evangelization in various places in the five continents, building up parish communities, founding schools, hospitals and becoming involved in other social projects as well. Most of these were religious sisters, brothers or priests. In recent decades a significant number of lay people have gone abroad to make their time and talents available to the missionary work of evangelization and that is to be welcomed.

Many other countries, in Europe and beyond, could also point to their contribution to the work of evangelization beyond their own frontiers.

Nowadays there are missionaries from African, South American and Asian countries working in other countries around the world. That is something to be grateful for and may well become a more common feature of life in the European countries, including Ireland.

Emigrants should not be forgotten in this context. While their immediate purpose in going abroad was to find work many of them have participated actively in the work of evangelization in their local churches, and some continue to do so. In this context we should be mindful of immigrants to this country and acknowledge their contribution to the life of the Church in Ireland. In St. Joseph´s we are pleased to have a number of such people.

To live and work in another country is an enriching experience. Those who have had the opportunity to do so are usually very grateful for that, not least for the welcome which people give them. It is a challenging experience also. The missionary has to learn and come to terms with a new language and culture, discover different ways of celebrating faith and religion. In a word, overcome the notion that the way things are done in the home country is the only way.

We are part of the universal Church. Let us keep that in mind at prayer also.