Missionary Childhood Association (MCA)

Start by recruiting a catechist, teacher or parent to oversee MCA activities and raise the level of mission consciousness among the students and teachers. The Moderator is supported in this work by staff of the Diocesan Missions Office and will act as the school/parish’s liaison.

• Read the MCA materials and offer suggestions regarding ordering materials.
• Meet with the principal, pastor, or DRE to enlist their cooperation and input in planning the mission projects and programs for the year.
• Develop a goal-oriented plan for the year to foster mission awareness among students and faculty. Start small and build each year.
• Create a central place in the school or parish, if possible, for display of mission materials.
• Encourage teachers to include the missions in prayers and Masses.
• Schedule a mission visit through the diocesan office.
• Plan and coordinate an annual Mission Mass or Prayer service to celebrate mission awareness.
• Lead students in sacrificing for MCA at least once a year.
• Recruit a few students to be Mission Representatives for special events

• of conditions in mission territories,
• of “haves” and “have-nots,
• of the inter-relatedness of global peace and justice issues, 
• of both physical and spiritual poverty.
• Promote and grow a sense of belonging to the same Universal Church, the same family of God. 
• Tie into the seven themes of Catholic social teaching.
• Stress the connection between reflection, prayer, and action.
• Visit Mission Together UK here for ready-to-go slideshows, lesson plans, worksheets and more. You’ll find interactive maps, short films, fundraising ideas, liturgical and Saint plans.
• Create a Missionary Childhood Association bulletin board. 
• Incorporate stories, songs, dances, games, and food from different cultures. Include Holy Heroes “Very Young Catholics” Series books here and videos here
• Provide concrete experiences that simulate life in mission countries by clicking here.
• Explore Fifty-seven different 2-page lesson plans for missionary country of the month here.
• Incorporate short stories and photos of children in the missions-“Providing Children with a Chance” here.

• the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20)   
• the Holy Spirit empowering disciples to carry out the work (Pentecost) 
• our baptismal call to serve as missionary disciples (anointed priest, prophet, king)
• The Sacrament of Confirmation prepares us to go out as witnesses
• New Testament missionaries: Paul, Barnabas, Peter, Philip, Thomas the Apostle, Apollos 
• Missionary Saints and Blesseds (esp. St. Francis Xavier, St. Therese of Lisieux, Blessed Pauline Jaricot, and Venerable Fulton Sheen) using the resources found here and here.
• Incorporate missionary Saints in your parade of Saints or All Saints Day Party. 
• Display posters of missionary Saints which can be found here.
• the history of missionary activity and those currently performing missionary work
• missionary vocations
• what it means to have a missionary heart
• the power of intercessory prayer

• Establish a habit of daily prayer for our brothers and sisters in the missions. MCA began with children praying one Hail Mary a day and giving a small coin each month. This formula is still applicable today-pray one Hail Mary every day as part of a daily routine for the missionary children of the world. 
• Make a missionary tea light prayer candle to remind you to pray daily using the resource here.
• Teach about and pray the World Mission Rosary created by Venerable Bishop Fulton Sheen. Brochures available from the national office. 
• Make world mission rosaries in art class or faith formation. Purchase kits here.
• Purchase low-cost world mission rosaries through Autom here or here.
• Create a missionary prayer corner in your room or add an MCA photo and collection box to your existing prayer table.
• Create a spiritual bouquet for the missions using the resource here.
• Include the Holy Father’s prayer intention for the month, which can be found here, in your communal prayers.
• As a class, request a Mass intention to be offered by a missionary priest. This shows the importance of the Mass and its benefits for the intention, while directly supporting a priest in his mission work. Read a book such as The Weight of the Mass by Josephine Nobisso or watch the animated video here and use the summary/questions worksheet here.
• Students in High School might utilize the Christian website here which gives up-to-date information on the situation in various countries and specific things for which to pray.

• Students might decide to give up a certain luxury or treat so that the money can be shared with children in the missions.
• Family might decide to do a monthly meatless meal and donate that money to the missions. 
• Child might offer a spiritual sacrifice, such as forgoing dessert and offer up that gift to God as a means of helping the missions. 
• Teach children about the “sacrifice beads” that were given to little Therese Martin (St. Therese of Lisieux) by her older sister, Marie, to help her count her sacrifices offered to the Lord.  Read the story found in The Catholic Treasure Box series volumes 1-6 (TAN publishers). Make sacrifice beads using the instructional video here. Show this video here of children in the missions doing the same thing.

• using collection “mite” boxes which can be ordered through the diocesan office, children can donate money earned through performing chores or babysitting,
• contribute from their allowance or birthday/Christmas money, 
• solicit donations from friends, relatives, and Godparents 
• or participate in a school-wide fundraiser such as Socktober, dance-a-thon, walk-a-thon, dress-down day, raffles etc. 
• Mite boxes can be used year round or during a particular season such as October-missions month, November-gratitude/Thanksgiving, Christmas-season of giving, February-love with a missionary heart etc.