Missions are hubs of renewal

Missions are exciting places, because people of all ages and vocations gather to worship, learn and refresh their spirits. 

Children experience terrace-top catechism with Missionaries of Charity atop Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission in Kakinada, India.

One young student gives her fellow classmate a helping hand 
in learning the sign of the cross.

Several classes meet at once atop the mission roof, because space is at a premium at Sacred Heart. The Mission's multi-purpose hall serves as church, priest residence and schoolroom. 

The "Mariadalem (Legion of Mary)" ladies learn how
to take Mary as model and pray to her as intercessor. They
wear blue to show their devotion to the Blessed Mother.

A "deanery" represents a region within a diocese. These deanery priests within the Diocese of Visakhapatnam came to Holy Family Mission for their day of recollection July 28, 2014. Deanery priests prayed and reflected on Scripture together, availed themselves of Confession, and shared adoration time. Monthly recollection days at various missions across the deanery, provide a perfect chance for missionaries to share news, ideas for better serving their people and general uplift.

As pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Mission and host of the deanery priests, Fr. Varghese Kalapurakudy wondered how he would feed his visitors.  He lacked funds for a meal until just a couple days before the event, when friends from the U.S. sent a gift so the priests would be fed. Missionaries eat simply from day to day, so were thrilled to enjoy this special meal on their day of renewal.