Can you please introduce yourself and share a bit about your role at Catholic Mission?
I am Fiona Ng and am based in the Brisbane office, supporting both the Brisbane Archdiocese and the Diocese of Toowoomba as Parish Engagement Coordinator. I am very blessed in my role to bridge and build the gap between parishioners and our missionary project partners overseas. I do so by maintaining relationships with Parish Priests and Secretaries through frequent pastoral check-ins, as well as building a team of volunteer Mission Ambassador speakers through meaningful interactions such as Praying the Rosary in May, running our Mission Ambassador program, and our end-of-year Appreciation Pilgrimage event.
In working closely with parish communities to support mission, what gives you the most encouragement in your role?
I am constantly in awe and full of admiration for my Mission Ambassadors, who volunteer their time and talents to support our work. They are present in parishes during World Mission October to share the project appeals on behalf of our project partners. Often, they wear many hats and still give us one or two weekends to speak on behalf of Catholic Mission’s work and projects.
You will be leading the Rosary prayer this May. Could you share a little bit about this opportunity and who it is open to?
The World Mission Rosary is a community engagement initiative where anyone can come online to pray together and honour Mother Mary. This is our fifth year running the program, and we believe the power of prayer brings peace and solace to our participants as we pray for the world around us.
The World Mission Rosary is a meaningful way for communities to come together in prayer. What do you hope people will gain from this experience?
As we celebrate 100 years of World Mission Sunday, the May Rosary prayer program is even more meaningful, as this is how Catholic Mission began through our foundress, Blessed Pauline Jaricot. She started the Prayer Circle to pray and donate a penny for missionary priests. My hope is that participants will feel a sense of support in praying the Rosary. We pray the World Mission Rosary, which aims to “embrace the world in prayer”, especially for those living in poverty. This unique Rosary features colour-coded decades representing each continent. It is heartwarming to know that we have participants who return year after year to pray together with us, which is truly a beautiful thing.
In your words, could you tell us a bit about your perspective on the Rosary and the role it plays in mission?
As a non-cradle Catholic, when I first came across the Rosary, I felt a special sense of connection, and it gave me strength during difficult times in my life.
The Rosary is a beautiful biblical prayer that honours Mary, meditates on the life of Jesus, and helps believers pray continuously. I once received a wonderful reflection that said, “When we pray the Rosary, we sit beside Mary and look at the life of Jesus through her eyes.” I truly believe this.
In the present time, we are living in a very challenging world, but the one constant is our relationship with Christ. Through praying the Rosary, and especially praying for our young people, my hope is that it anchors the younger generation and gives them hope that the Lord is always there for them.
The Rosary plays a very vital role in mission, as through prayer we can overcome challenges and achieve great things.
And finally, could you share one piece of advice to inspire others to get involved in their communities and in their own mission journey?
Take the “leap of faith” and give it a go – come along, pray together with us, and get your family and friends involved. It truly is a great way to give back by praying for the world around us and getting involved in one of our mission programs. Acts of kindness and praying for those in need are gifts that cost nothing but bring so much joy.
Join us this May as we honour Mary through prayer and the Rosary.
