15 Sunday Ordinary Time, B, 15 July 2012, Mark 6:7-13

Mother Kevin

Mission

Back in January I travelled to Uganda with Trocaire as many of you know. Almost everywhere we went we came to hear of 'Mama Kevina'.

Mother Kevin was born, Teresa Kearney, on the 28th April, 1875, near Arklow in Co. Wicklow. By the time she was ten years old, both of her parents had died. She was raised from that time by her granny, who died when Teresa was at the tender age of 17 years old.

Teresa was already an assistant teacher. It was after her granny's death that she joined the Franciscan Sisters, initially for the mission to the USA. But, her journey would take her to Uganda, prompted by the request of a missionary Bishop there. She built new convents and primary schools, clinics that eventually became hospitals, women's development groups, and much else besides.

All over the country of Uganda her influence is to be found. She would eventually found two new orders of Sisters. Firstly, in 1923 she founded the 'Little Sisters of St Francis'. Then, at the age of 77 in 1952, she founded the 'Franciscan Missionary Sisters for Africa'. This Order was specifically to provide Sisters for the Mission to Africa. She became the first Superior General of the Order, until 1954, when she recognised that younger sisters with more energy for the mission might be better able to continue her great work. She died in Boston in 1957.

Do's and Don't's:

To be a missionary is to first be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Mother Kevin had a very simple three-word mission statement: "For thee, Lord". This very simple mission statement gives us an incredible insight into the woman. It tells us that she was obviously a disciple of the Lord. It tells us that she felt able, in her heart, to communicate with her Lord and Master. And, most of all, because what she was doing was for the Lord, it seemed as if she had boundless, unbridled energy for all aspects of her task.

The twelve in today's gospel are missioned – sent out, two by two. They are given some very clear instructions, a list of Do's and Dont's for the journey. Do wear Sandals. Do bring a staff. Do not bring a beggar's sack. Do not bring money. Do not wear two tunics.

The mission is always to people. The mission is never away from society, or away from the world. And the Do's and Dont's of the Disciples missioning by Jesus strongly affirm this. The Do's are about being prepared for the journey. Be prepared for long walks, so wear footwear. Be prepared for whatever comes at you on that walk, be it wild animal, or mountain, or whatever, so bring a staff. But, wherever you find people, stop. Where you are made welcome, stay. Be regular. Don't be bothersome. Be natural. Every person that you meet who welcomes you is worth spending time with. Don't bring your own bread, or your own money. To do so would keep a distance between you and the people you meet.

So, to be a missionary is to first be a disciple of Jesus. Only secondly can we head out on mission. And mission is about giving people an experience of the Lord. So, it is not about force-feeding religion down someone's throat. Rather, it is like sharing an adventure that you went on. Becoming religious, going to Mass and praying and receiving the Sacraments are all responses to the encounter that we have with Jesus, and usually through other people.

Reminder: We are all missionaries

It is good to remember that we are all missionaries! At the end of Mass today, in the name of Christ you will be sent on that mission and you will respond by thanking God for it.

It's good to remember today that it is not just Africa, or America, or China, or anywhere else that needs missioned to anymore than Ireland, Connaught, our diocese, our parish, your street, your house, your heart. Going on mission is a response to the incredible experience of God in our lives, and the mission of Jesus is to every dimension and aspect of our world.

"Mother Kevina is a woman of God. She is the same to us all without considering their race or colour. She belongs to us all, not only to the Christians or the Catholics"

"She is an amazing woman. The whole Department (Government) may have firmly decided that she cannot have approval for all her private enterprises. She calls on us. She is perfectly simple, perfectly charming and perfectly inflexible. Invariably she gets what she has come for; invariably she is proved to be right. She is a wonder, a woman totally dedicated to religion, she keeps us all on our secular toes."

http://www.fmsa.net/