What is the Archdiocesan Mission Council?

The Archdiocesan Mission Council was established by Archbishop J.N. MacNeil in October, 1997 to create a greater mission awareness in parishes and schools throughout the Archdiocese. Our members comprise of Archbishop Thomas Collins; Rev. Michael Troy, CSSp., Director; with representation by members of the Council of Women Religious, the Catholic Women's League, the Knights of Columbus, parish representation, and various members from the different school levels.

Purpose

  1. To create a greater awareness of mission needs at home and abroad throughout the Archdiocese especially in the parishes and Catholic schools.
  2. Ongoing education of clergy and laity in the theology of mission and knowledge of and support for the work of the Church in mission countries today.
  3. To cooperate with the National Office of the Pontifical Mission Societies and other mission organizations, especially religious Congregations of the Archdiocese that have personnel working in the missions.
Pontifical Mission Societies
  1. Society for the Propagation of the Faith
  2. Holy Childhood Association
  3. Society of St. Peter the Apostle
  4. Missionary Union of Clergy and Religious
For further information on the Pontifical Mission Societies, contact their website at www.eda.net/~missions

Catholic Missions in Canada

There are more than 25 mission dioceses in Canada, including some in Alberta, which are unable to support the work of the Church without the financial assistance of other Canadians. For more information, please call us or contact Catholic Missions in Canada at www.missioncanada.ca.
World Mission Sunday (Evangelization of Nations)
Society for the Propagation of the Faith

World Mission Sunday falls on the third Sunday of October each year. Every year more than $123 million (US) is given in universal distribution to the developing world by the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. Much of this comes from the World Mission Sunday collection taken up everywhere in the world, offering universal support, not just for one mission but for all missions, including our own Missions here in Canada. Even the poorest countries take up collections to give what they can materially, and very importantly, they give their prayers and a depth of spirituality that enrich us all.

Each year, the National Office of the Propagation of the Faith sends to parishes materials to help prepare for World Mission Sunday in the parish. Included in the package, are materials for the Pastor, the Parish Youth Group, Children's Liturgy of the Word and Catechetic Coordinators.
  Holy Childhood Association (Children Helping Children)

Over 150 years ago, Bishop Charles de Forbin-Janson, founded this mission organization for children to help other children. Today, thousands of children within the Archdiocese of Edmonton support children in mission countries through prayer and sacrificial giving. Each year we support specific countries as advised by our National Office. This financial gift is used for children in orphanages, slum areas, street havens, schools, hospitals, refugee camps and handicapped centers. The money provides food, medicine, clean water, shelter and education to the children.

Father Michael Troy, Archdiocesan Director of the Mission Council, publishes a Holy Childhood Newsletter, for Advent and Lent, which is distributed to all parishes and schools in the Archdiocese. The National Office of the Holy Childhood Association also publishes twice-yearly graded newsletters (Gr. 1-3, 4-6, 7-9) which focus on the children in the countries that are currently being supported. They also have videos, posters, activity sheets and Advent and Lenten materials that can be ordered at no cost to the schools and parishes.

We ask that any funds raised for the Holy Childhood be forwarded to our office, at the Catholic Pastoral Centre, in the form of a cheque made payable to Holy Childhood Association. We will then forward the cheque to our National Office.

Holy Childhood Association - In Our Parishes

Every year, more parishes respond to our call to become involved in the Holy Childhood Association program of "Children Helping Children". It appears that the children of our parishes want to play a role in helping other children in mission countries. Some parishes invite the children to come forward to the altar to drop their coins in a simple jar at the same time as the adult collection. Other parishes make it a part of their Catechetical Program, Youth Group, Advent or Lenten Program. We extend a special thank you to all the parishes currently involved in the Holy Childhood and we welcome all parishes to come on board!

Holy Childhood Association - In Our Schools

The Holy Childhood Association is very active in our elementary and junior high schools. The majority of fundraising takes place during Lent; however, many of our schools make it their Lenten project in preparation for Mission Day in May. Some of our schools have come up with some very creative ideas for fundraising, while others keep it as simple as sending the HCA mission boxes home with the students to be returned at the end of the program. Father Troy and the Mission Council welcome invitations for school visits at any time throughout the school year.

Mission Day Mass for the Holy Childhood Association

World Mission Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday of May each year. Since 1999, the Archdiocese has invited participation from all elementary and junior high schools throughout the Archdiocese to gather in prayer at a Mass celebrated by the Archbishop. Fundraising is not a requirement to attend the Mass; however, most of the schools attending have done some fundraising during Lent and choose this time to present their cheque, made payable to the Holy Childhood Association, to the Archbishop during the "Presentation of the Gifts". Students are invited to participate in various parts of the Mass.
Society of St. Peter the Apostle - Chalices for Missions Program

Any financial contributions made to the Society of St. Peter the Apostle help finance seminaries in mission countries which are rich in vocations but poor in financial resources. We are very grateful to the Knights of Columbus for collecting many chalices for the Missions. This program is on-going and chalices (old or new) may be dropped off at the Catholic Pastoral Centre during regular office hours.