In October, Catholic Mission and the wider Catholic community will celebrate World Mission Month. This time is dedicated to recognise missionaries around the world that are reaching out to our sisters and brothers at the margins. His Eminence Cardinal Giorgio Marengo I.M.C., Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, invites us to reflect on the importance of depth and to take action: "We are again reminded of the importance of depth—being solid in prayer, always aware that not bearing fruit may mean we have to intensify our prayer... not by words, but by visible signs of compassion, care, or forgiveness."
Catholic Mission invites you to join us to celebrate together and to learn about the work of Mission worldwide. Using his personal experience as missionary, Cardinal Marengo invites everyone to reflect on the role of missionary work within the broader global community, especially in countries like Mongolia, with one of the smallest Catholic communities.
"We have also started a joint venture in serving the people of God there, and not only the people of God—the members of the Church—but the larger community in Mongolia that we serve," says Cardinal Marengo.
When he first arrived in Mongolia, the Catholic community was small in number, with only a few hundred Catholics. Today, it has grown to 1,500. "The growth happened because many people from different walks of life were attracted by the gospel; they were moved by what the first missionaries were doing,” says Cardinal Marengo. "For our people, many times the first connection with the Church is precisely through the witness of a friend within the community—someone whose life has been transformed by faith."
From the first isolated groups of missionaries, the Church has now grown and become an essential service provider, especially in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, a rapidly growing city facing a challenging urbanisation. One of the key projects that the Church has recently created to offer vital support is the House of Mercy, recognising the increasing need to provide shelter to people facing homelessness.
Blessed last year by Pope Francis, he describes the project as: “The House of Mercy is meant to be the point of reference for a variety of charitable works, hands outstretched towards our brothers and sisters, struggling to navigate life’s problems. A safe haven, in other words, where people can find a listening ear and an understanding heart.”
The House of Mercy provides not just shelter and food but also access to basic medical care, showers and laundry, and counselling—services that are not easily available for people facing difficult situations.
"Sometimes we think it's big things that make the biggest impact, but sometimes it's the smallest communities and the smallest acts that leave the greatest impact," says Cardinal Marengo, describing the work done at the House of Mercy.
Join us in celebrating World Mission Month together, and let’s all put our faith in action and do an act of kindness. Visit www.catholicmission.org.au/see-our-work-in-action/mercy today and learn more about the House of Mercy.
ENDS
For further information:
Astrid Delayre
Communications Officer
Tel: 0458 489 877
Email:
media@catholicmission.org.au
Website:
catholicmission.org.au
About Catholic Mission
Catholic Mission is the Australian agency of the Pontifical Mission Societies – the Catholic Church’s global organisation dedicated to continuing Jesus Christ’s mission in the world: that all may have life to the full. Catholic Mission contributes funding and project support to critical church-run initiatives in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and South America. These include spiritual formation, pastoral care, education, health, sanitation, and agricultural programs. Here in Australia, we form people to go out and be missionary in their professional and personal lives; to pray, advocate and act for those on the margins. Catholic Mission has offices in 27 Australian dioceses.
