A GROUP dedicated to supporting mission work has celebrated its 90th anniversary.
Down and Connor Apostolic Work has its roots in a meeting held in Belfast in 1923 by Agnes McCauley and nine girls who met to pray, sew, knit and raise money for missionaries in India.
At the time, Fr Ross, a Mill Hill priest from Uganda, said: "I do not see how anything but good can come of it." His words continue to ring true in 2013.
Originally known as the Irish Catholic Missionary Association, today Apostolic Work has branches in most dioceses in Ireland. Almost every parish in Down and Connor has a branch.
As the missionary societies grew, Apostolic Work supported their work financially and spiritually.
It has been patient, faithful work. Even the Second World War did not prevent support for missionaries, who must have felt even more isolated - parcels from Apostolic Work must have been very precious, and amazingly not one was lost during the war years.
Money raised goes directly to the missionaries, with almost all of it sent overseas where it is used for Church-based activities.
These include the education of seminarians and Religious, the building of schools and churches, education of children and young people, medicine, food and water, famine relief and transport.
In its 90 years Apostolic Work in Down and Connor has had only three spiritual directors: Fr Edward Crossin; Fr Gerard Brady; and, for more than 40 years, Fr Brendan Murray.
Fr Murray said Mass at an anniversary celebration in Good Shepherd Church, Ormeau Road, earlier this month.
Afterwards, Apostolic workers were joined by Bishop of Down and Connor Noel Treanor, missionary priests, sisters and friends for a thanksgiving dinner.