This weekend we are delighted to welcome Fr Thyagu of the Society of African Missions (SMA) as our visiting priest. Fr Thyagu will say mass on Fr Rory’s behalf whilst he is away for a few days and will also take the opportunity, as the appeals co-ordinator for our diocese, to make an appeal for the SMA the allocated appeal for our diocese this year.
The SMA is a community of Catholic missionaries who come from around the world with a commitment to serve the people of Africa. For over 150 years, SMA missionaries have been present in Africa. They strive to be a living witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ among their brothers and sisters in that continent and among people of African heritage wherever they live.
SMA was founded in 1856, by Melchior de Marion Brésillac, a passionate visionary whose challenges in missionary life seem very contemporary. He struggled against church and family opposition to his missionary goals. He believed strongly in equality and sought to establish local churches with indigenous clergy.
Today, SMA is a thriving worldwide organization with international headquarters in Rome and missions that serve the people of Africa and those of African descent around the world. Committed to the vision of their founder, SMA missionaries work continuously to establish indigenous clergy wherever they serve.
To find out more about the SMA Fathers visit www.smafathers.org . Please give generously to today’s appeal.