Apostolic Mission: Sharing the Light of Christ this Christmas
Soon after qualifying as a nurse midwife, Margaret Kerr set her sights on Africa. In 1984, Margaret travelled to Nigeria to volunteer with the VMM (Volunteer Missionary Movement). She would spend the next two years at St. Brendan’s General Hospital – an OLA-run facility in Bacita, Kwara State - volunteering her time and skills. During her years in Bacita, Margaret got to know Sr. Eithna Synnott, a doctor in the same hospital. The experience in Nigeria left a deep imprint on the life of Margaret and continues to do so to this day through her involvement with the local Apostolic Society in Randalstown, Co. Antrim which supports the work of many missionaries, including the OLA Sisters.
Sr. Eithna Synnott (front row, left) and Margaret Kerr (front row, right) pictured at a recent celebration to mark the 90th anniversary Randalstown Apostolic Society
Margaret recently took some time to recount her involvement with the group. She began by sharing how it all started for her:
“I joined the Apostolic Society in Randalstown twenty five years ago. Not long before that, I had returned from a two-year volunteer mission as a nurse midwife in Nigeria. For me it was a natural progression. I came home and ‘settled-down’. I had seen the fantastic work - on a ‘shoe string’ - by Srs. Vincent Buckley, Maire Treacy and Ligouri Smiddy among others. I saw the Apostolic Society as the ultimate charity – as money goes directly to the project on the ground with minimal overheads and when I think of how prudent the nuns were I just knew it would be used very wisely with every penny accounted for.”
Randalstown’s Apostolic Society was established in 1926. The objective of the Society is to share in the missionary apostolate of the Church by prayer and by providing practical support for different areas of the work of a missionary:
- Religious: Mass kits, rosary beads, medals, vestments, prayer books.
- Educational: School books, pens and pencils.
- Medical: Bandages, instruments, medication
- Finance: For projects in the mission areas.
Twenty five years after first getting involved, Margaret’s enthusiasm and passion for the cause is very evident:
“What keeps me spinning-on twenty years later? Certainly the feedback from mission areas is a huge motivator. A recent example was a project in Brazil. We gave money to a priest who runs a centre for street children. It funded a psychologist for a year.
One project really stands out from a few years back. We had a request from a missionary helping women to set-up a co-op in Kenya. We donated some money for the purchase of sewing machines. The impact of such projects is truly immeasurable. The money received by the women for the goods sold paid their children’s school fees. From a little outlay, there is a tremendous impact."
For Margaret, it is the simplicity of how the society operates which makes a proud advocate for their work, she explains:
“The local missionary sees the need and makes a request through the head office in Belfast. You hear the most wonderful stories. The money is very valuable to the missionaries. I remember how frugal the OLA Sisters were and how just a few pounds can make a difference – they make it go so, so far. I don’t know of any greater business women!"
While sharing her reflections on the impact of the Apostolic movement in Ireland, Sr. Eithna Synnott, now based in Rostrevor, also refers to how the money makes a practical difference but also how the beneficiaries struggle to fathom why a complete stranger, thousands of miles away, would care about them:
“Having worked in hospitals in Africa, I got so much assistance from Apostolic Workers across Ireland. Help was given to others in need, who would not have got it otherwise. Many men, women and children are alive today because of that help.
“I had difficulty when I went to Africa for the first time. I was very aware that I was there as a missionary and yet my work did not leave time to verbally tell others of the love of God. Then, one day, I got the question from a patient who was unable to pay for treatment but got treatment because of the Apostolic Workers help.
“ ‘Why do you care so much? You are not our tribe or culture and yet you care. Why?’
“I replied that it wasn’t really me, it was the people at home! And again the question came: ‘Why do they care so much?’.
“I quickly learnt in Africa that others will know Christ’s love by our love and care. I don’t have to say a word, just ‘do’. The Apostolic Workers have never ceased to do exactly that."
On the 4th November 2016, Bishop Donal McKeown, many clergy and religious Sisters joined numerous Apostolic Workers for a ‘thanksgiving’ celebration. Pictured at the event were members of the Randalstown Apostolic Workers Society: (Back row from left): Frances McKay, Helen Mc Cormick, Martina Jordan, Noeleen McClelland, Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council,Catherine Purdy, Margaret Kerr and Dolores O'Loan. Front row (from left): Vera Hegarty, Mary McGrath, President of Randalstown Apostolic Society, Siobhan Dan, Una Mc Killop and Bernie O Boyle.
Back in Randalstown, Margaret reports that the Apostolic Society's 'love and care by doing' these days comes mainly in the form of fundraising events, which themselves have led to a unforeseen positive:
“While traditionally there was a great focus on making vestments, I must admit that none of our current group are sowers so we concentrate on the fund-raising! Events vary from flower arranging, pub quizzes, a wine and cheese night, sponsored walks and recently we had an ‘Elvis Impersonator Night’, which was a great success!
“We also receive much interdenominational support from so many different church groups. These groups know the money is going to a good cause and that a good social night will be had. It really helps build-up the interdenominational relationships too.”
Acknowledging the great contribution of the Apostolic Workers, Sr. Eithna concluded:
“May the Lord bless them all for what they have done over the years for missionaries and all we worked with, for their continued effort today, and for all they will do in the future for the missions.”
For more information on the work of the Apostolic Societies, click here or contact your local Parish.
