“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.”

BLESSED Pauline Jaricot has returned home to the Maison de Lorette (House of Loreto) in Lyon, France after her family donated a very special relic to the site.

DEAR brothers and sisters, for World Mission Day 2026, which marks the centenary of a celebration established by Pope Pius XI that is very dear to the Church, I have chosen the theme 'One in Christ, united in mission.'