ONE of the first things I noticed when myself and my colleague Andrea entered the Vincentian Fathers House in Grudë e Re—and briefly escaped the searing heat of an Albania summer—was a simple fledgling house plant, tied to two broom handles to assist its growth. It was an image that made me realise that this place is somewhere that is rooted in love, care and support and it’s an image that leans into the famous phrase uttered by St Vincent De Paul himself, ‘love is inventive

“SISTER Lulë, who leads the Franciscan Sisters community that runs the children’s centre, called me one day to say: ‘Father, we are very worried. We don’t know if we can continue. If we don’t receive help, we may have to close the centre.’ Their finances were becoming impossible, the bathrooms needed replacing as did the heating system.

“AS I’m talking to you, for the last three nights we have been under heavy fire from missiles and drones and, unfortunately, another 50 people have died in the capital, Kyiv. It’s not an easy situation, but people appreciate our work and our presence is very precious to them. Belonging to God and belonging to the people are the most important things for a missionary, especially in a situation like this.”

POPE Leo XIV met some very important Scottish visitors at the Vatican recently in the shape of Missio Scotland’s National Director, Fr Vincent Lockhart, and our schools’ mascot Missy Moo!

WHEN a man decides to take up his vocation and become a priest it’s expected of him that he will become a Good Shepherd in the parishes in which he serves. However, for Bishop Joseph Toal, in the very early days of his priesthood, that took on a literal as well as a spiritual meaning!

THERE was a resounding endorsement of the work of Missio Scotland at the recent meeting of the European Conference of the Missionary Children Society (CEME) recently, as Communications Officer, Gerard Gough, was appointed as its new president.

MISSIO Scotland’s annual Christmas art contest for 2025 proved to be another showcase for some of the wonderfully talented artists we boast in our schools.

“I FEEL a bit, a bit like Mary, the mother of Jesus standing at the foot of the Cross and watching what's happening and you just wish it would stop. We can't stop it, so there’s that kind of feeling of helplessness and because there's nothing that Mary could do to stop what's happened to Jesus and what can we do to stop what's happening in Gaza?

AT MISSIO Scotland we often speak about the mission countries and territories that we support throughout the world and there’s perhaps no more fitting an example of what constitutes the latter than the villages of Chipaya and Ayparavi in rural Bolivia.

“WHETHER you’re in Bolivia or Scotland, seeing a child in pain is one of the worst things you can witness. We, as adults, generally know how to cope with life’s challenges, no matter how bad or hurtful, but when we see a sick child or one going through pain, that should provoke mercy in us.”

“WHAT a lot of people might not know is that I’ve climbed 180 out of 283 Munros,” Fr Dominic Quinn said. “It’s a wee badge of pride, because I love the mountains and the outdoors. I’m no Chris Bonington, but I’ve done my best!”

THE year 2024-25 has not only seen a number of primary schools become Five Star Missio Scotland Schools, but many of them have continued on their engagement journey with us by achieving their Bronze School Award Flag too.

WITH Storm Ashley putting paid to the chances of the 2024 edition of the Pope’s Charity Cup taking place in its usual October date, an exciting final eventually took place just before the schools broke up for the summer.

AT MISSIO Scotland we take great joy in many aspects of our work. Supporting projects is an obvious one. Making lifelong connections is another. Spreading the Good News, however, is at the core of every single member of the Pontifical Mission Societies throughout the world and is not something that merely gives joy to those in mission countries and territories throughout the world, but also allows us to receive joy in return too.

2025 got off to a sad start for the Missio Scotland team when news reached us that long-time volunteer Anne McCrossan, had passed away.

A long-standing friendship between Fr Lockhart and Bishop Nkuo led to Missio Scotland being able to support the construction of a new Church

Sr Hedwig Vinyo has a desire to spread the Good News in the most trying of circumstances and build connections in the universal Church.

Fr Bernard Fox, didn’t expect that when he arrived in Cameroon in 1977, he would be delivering something else other than sermons

MISSIO Scotland’s Annual Christmas Artwork Contest once again featured a number of talented prize-winners from throughout the country,...

ST Bride's Primary School in Cambuslang recently became the first in to be awarded the title of a Five Star Missio Scotland School