Our History
In 1954, Msgr. Anthony J. Brouwers, the founder of the Lay Mission-Helpers Association and then Director of the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, was asked by Cardinal McIntyre to accompany him to the Marian Congress to be held in November in Lagos, Nigeria. Msgr. Brouwers remained in Africa for several months traveling the continent in every direction. What he heard from the Church leadership was a simple yet profound request: “We need help.” The Bishops and Church leaders were asking for professionals – men and women with technical, medical, educational and administrative expertise. In fact almost every profession and skill would be invaluable to these new and developing churches.
Msgr. Brouwers returned to Los Angeles in February, 1955 and a month later the Archdiocese of Los Angeles founded the Lay Mission-Helpers Association. Following a nine month preparation course, the first six Lay Mission-Helpers were commissioned by Cardinal McIntyre on July 4, 1956. They were sent to the Sudan, Tanganyika and Uganda. Since that time, LMH has sent over 700 men, women and families to 36 countries around the world.
An important point to note is the date Lay Mission-Helpers Association was founded. 1955 was prior to the opening of the Second Vatican Council, whose documents reaffirmed the fact that all Catholics have a call and a place in the on-going mission of the Church. Recognizing the role of the laity in mission and the Church as a whole may be something we take for granted today, but it was a revolutionary view for the time.
In 2003 it was decided that it was in the best interest of all parties for the Lay Mission-Helpers Association to civilly separate from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The civil separation became official in January 2004. While civilly and programmatically separate, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles continues to spiritually and prayerfully encourage and affirm the work of the Lay Mission-Helpers Association.
John A. McKenna is the current Executive Director. Former directors include Msgr. Harold Laubacher, Msgr. Lawrence O’Leary, Msgr. Joseph Alzugaray, Msgr. Michael Meyers, Fr. David John Ayotte, and Janice England.
Wanda Roberts and Nora O'Mahony leaving New York in March, 1961 - departing to Nyeri, Kenya as teachers with Lay Mission-Helpers.
