In England and Wales, Missionary Childhood is known as Mission Together.
Mission Together operates according to the academic year, September to September. We therefore had two ‘themes’ during 2020.
From September 2019 to August 2020, our theme was ‘Together in South Africa’. We told the story of 11 year-old Johannes, who is cared for by three Franciscan Sisters at St John’s Care Home for young people affected by HIV. We used the reading from 3 Colossians 12-14 focusing on how, with God’s help and through faith and prayer, we can live together happily, supporting each other, as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Since September 2020, our theme has been ‘Together in Myanmar’ which tells the story of Nu Moe a young girl from a remote and poor village in Myanmar. Like many similar children, Nu Moe’s education was at risk as the nearest school was many miles away and her family too poor to pay for transport or accommodation. Thankfully, NuMoe was offered a free place at a parish boarding house run by a community of missionary sisters. The Gospel we are using to accompany Nu Moe’s story is that of the Good Shepherd, John 10:14-15.
As in every country around the world, our work over the last twelve months has been hugely affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
In response, we created ‘home-based’ resources focusing on catechesis and mission formation.
In addition to these catechetical materials, we have continued to produce Liturgical Prayer resources, adapting these where possible for virtual platforms. For example, in June we created an online virtual rosary with the help of children across the country.
Every year, Mission Together holds a Day of Many Colours on (or around) 29 June, the Feast day of Saints Peter & Paul. Due to restrictions, this year we launched our Online Mission Rosary. Every day of the last week of June 2020, pupils at home and in schools joined our online Mission Rosary, praying for our wider family around the world.
By the end of the week pupils had prayed for children in all 5 continents, uniting with one another in love and friendship.
In addition to our online Mission Rosary and ‘home-based’ resources. Included in our ‘home-based’ resources were a set of activity sheets for Holy Week, as in England and Wales churches remained closed over Holy Week and Easter.
To help illustrate our Universal Church, God’s global family and mission, we have also created a Mission Together Virtual Map. It is a fun way for children to explore the world and discover how young people across the globe pray and share their time, gifts, and talents to be missionaries of God’s love too.
