Mission Office

Thank You to everyone who helped with and participated in the Mission Rally on April 22nd 2008!

Every spring the diocese holds twelve Mission Meetings; these gatherings take place in various host parishes throughout the twelve mission regions of the diocese.  Activities of the Spring Mission Meetings include reporting on activities by both the Mission Office and the mission groups; sharing of ideas, needs and talents for the coming year; presentation by Mission Office staff; celebrating Mass; and social time.  In those host parishes with a school, the Mass is celebrated with the students as well, and Mission Office staff meet with the faculty and student body. 

Last year just over 450 people attended these meetings, in addition to the many school children and staffs who helped us celebrate Mission.  Thank you to everyone who helped make these gatherings a successful celebration of the missionary nature of our church!

This spring (as is the tradition every 5th year), these regional mission meetings were substituted for ONE BIG MISSION RALLY! This great celebration, took place on Tuesday April 22nd at the Freeport Community Center in Freeport, MN, and was a chance for all the mission groups and mission-interested persons in parishes throughout the entire Diocese of St. Cloud to gather together. Our activities included Mass, meeting foreign missioners from our partner dioceses in Kenya, various speakers on local and foreign mission, social justice and fair trade, lunch, displays of mission group items, and a visit with Bishop Kinney. It was a great day!

What are the Mission Groups?

Women in the St. Cloud Diocese support mission in a wonderful way.  As members of mission groups they get together throughout the diocese to share their prayers and talents to help others around the world.  This tradition was started in 1928 when Bishop Joseph Busch brought women together and named them "Auxiliary to the Society for the Propagation of the Faith," although women had already been doing this work before the title and formality was set, with records indicating their mission activities prior to 1919.  They have really been the forerunners in mission spirit in our diocese.  Although characteristics, dynamics and the role of mission groups have since changed in ways, their support to the Mission Office and to members of both their local and their global community has gone unwavering. 

Currently there are nearly 200 mission groups within the diocese, with most parishes having at least one mission group, some having more.   Each group has its own unique characteristics and activities.   But often they revolve around projects such as making layettes, putting together personal care or dental hygeine bags, gathering school supplies, and quilting/sewing.   The items the women make are distributed to those in need by the Mission Office.   Currently, they are sent to Common Hope in Guatemala, various Native American Reservations, Sharing and Caring Hands in Minneapolis, our diocesan partnerships, and a variety of other locations.

Many groups also engage in fundraising activities to raise money for missioners and special projects.   More recently, some are involving the youth of their parishes in service projects and others are inviting mission speakers to speak at their parish.

For over seventy-five years Auxiliary members have been coming together in friendship and fellowship to reach out to others.   They demonstrate our oneness with our brothers and sisters within and beyond our communities.   We are grateful for their Christian witness and support!  

What are the Mission Regions? Albany Alexandria Cold Spring Fergus Falls Foley Little Falls Melrose Morris Saint Cloud Saint Martin Sauk Centre Wadena

Some Mission Group Quick Facts:

• Within the twelve regions of the Diocese of Saint Cloud there are approximately 200 groups.
• Each region has a chairperson who oversees all the groups of the region and reports back to the Mission Office.
• The groups often provide handmade quilts, rosaries and soap for the mission office to donate.
• The members of the mission groups also are involved in collecting school supplies and personal care items that are shipped to domestic and international mission sites.
• Many members of the mission groups also pray regularily for and keep personal connections with foreign missioners.
• Check out these GREAT Mission Project ideas

"Spotlight on Mission" Mission Groups:

• St. Barbara's Mission Group at St. Peter's Parish, St. Cloud
• St. Adeline's Mission Group at St. Edward's Parish, Princeton
• "Sewing for Kids" group in St. Martin, MN
• Sofia Muyres' Sundresses from Brennyville, MN

To learn more about a parish mission group in your region or to organize one in your parish please call the Mission Office at 320-251-1100.