Two leather-bound ‘remembrance’ books containing the names of several thousand supporters of the red box mission appeal had a place of honour at a special Mass at Ushaw College, Durham on Sunday 29th June. The Mass was offered up for the deceased people named in the books and all current supporters of the APF-Mill Hill mission organisation. The names have been written in beautiful italic handwriting since 1957.

Mgr John Dale, APF National Director, said the books were placed on the altars of all annual Masses held at venues throughout England and Wales this summer. He thanked supporters for helping the work, both with prayers and money. Donations, which last year included a record £923,000 in legacies, were split 60/40 per cent between the Association for the Propagation of the Faith and the Mill Hill Missionaries.

Mgr Dale said the APF subsidised dioceses in Africa and Asia while Mill Hill Missionaries had priests, brothers and lay associates in 27 countries, including ‘difficult areas’ like Sudan, Pakistan and Kenya. He said the red boxes had particularly helped Zimbabwe whose Church would not have survived without the help.

Fr Tony Chantry, General Superior of the Mill Hill Missionaries, said the Church in England was going through a difficult time while in Africa and Asia it was flourishing. ‘Hang on to the idea of mission’, he urged nearly 150 supporters present in St Cuthbert’s Chapel.

Michael Morrissey