Many of us will be familiar with the Red Boxes used to collect kind donations, usually found in our homes, parishes and schools.

These red boxes provide an opportunity for us to drop in spare change and now give directly - which all adds up to support Missio’s charitable works.

Over the last 10 years the Archdiocese has raised over £3.8m for Missio. There are thousands of red boxes in homes, parishes and schools and 210 amazing Missio volunteers and secretaries in place.

Missio is the Pope’s charity for World Mission: It supports the Church in greatest need, where it is growing and where it is suffering.

On Saturday 11 March at St Chad’s Cathedral, a Diocesan Mass will be held to thank all those supporters of Missio and all their efforts over many years.

The 12noon Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Longley and Fr Anthony Chantry - National Director of Missio in England and Wales - will be preaching.

Fr Gerry Hastie from the Mill Hill General Council will be in attendance along with other representatives from Missio.

This Diocesan Mass, the first in many years dedicated to Missio, is a focal point for Mission. It is a chance to reflect on the universal mission of the Church and the role we play in that mission. It is also a chance to thank God and thank all the parish Missio secretaries and supporters of the Red Box.

Fr Michael Glover, Parish Priest at St Teresa of the Child Jesus in Trent Vale, Stoke-on-Trent, was appointed the Diocesan Director of Missio in summer 2022.

He is now working with Missio to raise the charity’s profile in the Archdiocese and is aiming to have a Missio secretary in every parish.

“Many, many people across the Archdiocese will have a red box, or know of the charity,” said Fr Michael.

“Next month’s Mass is an opportunity to say thank you to all those people for their support over the years, and an opportunity to highlight the need to pray for the Mission of the Church across the world.

“Our support for Missio remains steadfast and I would like even more people to be part of its future work in the Archdiocese.”

Find out more about Missio

Photograph: Fr Henry, a Diocesan Director for Missio, celebrating Mass in a remote village of Malawi.