OCHOA: Mission Cooperative Plan — ‘One in Christ’

The official website of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston includes this mission statement: “We are a multicultural Church of 1.7 million members from every continent of the world that prays and celebrates in over 14 languages in 146 parishes. We practice social justice and support the good works of persons in other countries. We do all of this in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

One way the Archdiocese supports good works internationally is through the annual Mission Cooperative Plan. Beginning each summer, the head of each diocese invites over 40 representatives of Catholic missionary organizations to visit the parishes, speak about their efforts, and invite parishioners to pray for and contribute to the work of the Church worldwide.   

The Mission Cooperative Plan is coordinated through the Archdiocesan Mission Office, whose two-fold purpose is to create awareness and to encourage prayer and financial support for the mission efforts of the Catholic Church.   

The Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus are one of the congregations that will present this year. This congregation of women, headquartered in the diocese of Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria, has members serving in seven African countries, as well as in Italy, Germany, England, Canada, Grenada and the U.S., specifically in Houston. 

The history of the Handmaids is inspiring. It reflects the important role that Irish Catholics played in the development of the Catholic Church in Africa. In 1923, Bishop Joseph Shanahan of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit invited Irish Sister of Charity Mother Mary Charles Magdalen Walker to Nigeria. Her work primarily focused on the education of women. When four of her students expressed a desire to join her, the Congregation of the Handmaids of the Holy Child Jesus was launched.   

The extensive reach of the Handmaids shows how the faith, determination and dedication of the founding members influenced vast numbers to join and begin projects in new locations. To Ghana, Cameroon, Togo, Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Tanzania, the sisters traveled, developing programs to “uplift the standard of living for the people.”   

The challenges facing the Catholic Churches and schools in these countries are not usually featured on local new reports. High percentages of poverty and increased violence continue to plague many dioceses. In February of 2024, the Nigerian bishops declared that there was a serious deteriorating situation in the economy and security of the nation. The stories shared through the Mission Cooperative Plan representatives are important for increasing understanding and collaboration.  

Another group included in the Archdiocese Mission Cooperative Plan is the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. Founded in 1867, when three French sisters arrived in Galveston to open St. Mary’s Infirmary, the sisters have continued to develop remarkable systems for healing ministry. In the U.S., they sponsor two of the largest systems for health care, CHRISTUS Health and Dignity Health. They support AIDS ministry in Houston, elderly care in Ireland, and primary care in Kenya, as well as programs for adult literacy, corporate responsibility and young adult outreach.    

The motherhouse for the community is located just south of downtown Houston. Flying in front of the main building are the flags of the countries where the sisters are serving — El Salvador, Guatemala, Ireland, Kenya and the U.S. The beautiful building also houses the Ruah Center, offering retreats and spiritual direction.   

Across the bottom page of the Archdiocese’s website is a phrase that captures the goal of the Mission Cooperative Plan: “Inviting all to become one in Christ.” Each parish’s generous response to missionary appeals will go a long way toward achieving that goal. 

Hilda Ochoa is the director of Mission Office of the Archdiocese.

(OSV News photo)