Association for the Propagation of the Faith (APF)

In May 1822 Pauline Jaricote of Lyons, France founded the APF. Exactly 100 years later, Pope Pius XI made it a Pontifical Society. That meant it was no longer a private enterprise but had become the church's official organisation for helping the missions. England made her first contribution in 1837 with the sum of £89. Last year it was £3,218,594 For practical reasons APF was linked with St Joseph's Missionary Society (Mill Hill Fathers) in England and Wales as far as appeals within a parish are concerned.

APF is the only major mission society in the Church in England and Wales. Its Priest, Brothers and lay missionaries serve in 27 countries. Parishioners support the mission by keeping a red APF box in their house for spare change. These are collected and emptied twice a year. All money is dIvided between Mill Hill and APF. The Mill Hill share goes to help the Mill Hill missions and to train the Mill Hill priests. The APF share goes to the central fund of the world APF and provides an annual subsidy for every one of the 850 mission diocese, plus they provide for extraordinary subsidies for special projects.

More collectors would enable even more money to be raised for the important work of the missions. If you would like to be a collector and join the scheme please contact John Peacock on 01202 883660 or speak to Canon Kenneth Noakes after Mass.