Mission Cooperation Plan 2024
Every year, Lay Mission-Helpers speakers are sharing our missionary story and seeking financial support for our mission in dioceses across the country through the Mission Cooperation Plan, a nationwide program sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. These appeals typically take place between May and September. This year, we have been invited to 12 (arch)dioceses. While most appeals have already been completed, the final two will take place in the Diocese of Greensburg.
Diocese of Greensburg
St. Raymond Parish in Donegal, PA - October 12/13- Karen Hunka (Ghana)
St. Pius X and Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Mt. Pleasant, PA - November 23/24 - Karen Hunka
The Lay Mission-Helpers Association is excited to once again partner with the Missionary Childhood Association to promote mission awareness among Catholic school students in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. We are sponsoring the Msgr. Brouwers Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Each winner will receive a $500 scholarship towards their Catholic education. Catholic middle school students are invited to submit a 250-400 word essay for a chance to win one of three $500 scholarships. Essay Topic: "How do I respond to the command at the end of Mass, ‘Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,’ in my daily life?" Essays should be submitted via email to director@laymissionhelpers.org no later than 6:00 PM on Monday, October 1, 2024. Scholarships will be awarded during the Missionary Childhood Association Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on October 16, 2024, at 10:00 AM.
Rose Gala - Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 12:30 to 4:30 PM
By popular demand, we've decided to change the format and time of the annual Rose Gala. This year, we'll have the Silent Auction at the Mission House and the dinner next door at the community room of St. John the Evangelist Church. The gala will be on Saturday, October 5, 2024 from 12:30 to 4:30 PM. By making these changes, we want to ensure your donations go even further to support our mission and to make it possible for those who prefer not to drive in the evening to be able to join the celebration. At the gala, we will honor Peter and Joy Newburn with the Ernst Ophuls Award in recognition of their service in Cameroon and their continued support of LMH as monthly donors and Mission Appeal Speakers. We will also honor Kathy Clay from St. Cornelius Parish in Long Beach with the St. Therese of Lisieux Award for her decades-long faithful prayerful and financial support of our missionary service.
The needs in mission are great, but candidates are few. If you or someone you know is interested in overseas missionary service, we will be hosting a Virtual Info Session on October 16th. For more information and to receive the session link, please contact our Program Director at program@laymissionhelpers.org.
GivingTuesday - December 3, 2024
GivingTuesday is a day dedicated to giving back, where people across the globe come together to support the causes closest to their hearts. We at the Lay Mission-Helpers Association (LMH) are deeply grateful for the support we’ve received over the years, which has enabled our lay Catholic missionaries to serve in Ghana, Uganda, and Peru, sharing the love of Christ through education, healthcare, and community development. Your support directly impacts the lives of those we serve, from remote villages in Africa to underserved communities in Latin America and beyond. By including the Lay Mission-Helpers Association in your GivingTuesday contributions, you help us continue our mission of bringing hope, dignity, and opportunity to those most in need.How to Give:
- Online Donation: Click here to make a secure online donation.
- Mail-In Donation: Send your gift to our office at 6102 S. Victoria Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90043.
- Spread the Word: Share our mission with your family and friends, encouraging them to support LMH this GivingTuesday.
Discernment Weekends - February 7-9 & April 4-6, 2025
Lay Mission-Helpers offers two Discernment Weekends in 2025. Eligible applicants who complete a Formal Application are invited to attend a Discernment Weekend. Participants will meet with the LMH Team and learn more about the challenges and joys of mission life. We will discuss current and potential sites where Lay Mission-Helpers are assigned and the type of work that they do. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss their questions, concerns, and expectations with the LMH team. There will be time for group discussions as well as individual meetings with members of the LMH team. The program begins on Friday and ends on Sunday afternoon. For more information, contact Janice England, program director, at 213.368.1873 or by email at program@laymissionhelpers.org
We will celebrate our 70th anniversary next year. In thanksgiving for the service of over 750 Lay Mission-Helpers in 37 countries (and counting), we are organizing a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. The pilgrimage will take place from April 29 through May 5, 2025. It is open to all. We will pay our respects to Our Lady of Guadalupe and visit other spiritually, culturally and historically significant sites in and around Mexico City, for example, the spectacular cities of Puebla and Tlaxcala, the unforgettable Xochimilco (so-called Venice of Mexico), the impressive archeological site of Teotihuacan, and others.The registration is open and it's on the first come, first served basis. There are only a few spaces left! To register visit the pilgrimage portal here. Que Viva la Virgen de Guadalupe!
