Four Irish religious sisters from different congregations are sharing their experiences of missionary service through a new short film highlighting the role of faith, compassion and commitment in serving vulnerable communities. The film, titled Lives of Mission, Lives of Hope!, was produced by Colm Flynn and commissioned by the Embassy of Ireland to the Holy See, with support from Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In a report published on 11 November, Vatican News explored the experiences of the sisters and their contributions to communities facing poverty, limited access to education and inadequate healthcare.
One of the sisters featured is Sr. Colette Keane of the Order of Preachers, whose missionary work included establishing schools and supporting women in Liberia and Tanzania. Her experience in Liberia was marked by a violent attack in which she sustained serious injuries to one eye and one ear. Despite the difficulties, she remained committed to her vocation. Her later work in Tanzania included establishing women’s groups across 35 villages, helping women recognise their value and develop their potential. Other sisters featured in the film also share experiences of responding to the needs of communities through healthcare, education and pastoral service.
The film also highlights how missionary service continues to evolve as communities face changing social and economic challenges. For the sisters, mission is not simply about travelling to distant countries but about recognising the dignity of every individual and responding to human needs with practical compassion. The report also highlights Sr. Mary Teresa Barron, Superior General of the Missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Apostles, who has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV as Adjunct Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization and President of the Pontifical Mission Societies, with her new responsibilities scheduled to begin on 4 January 2027.
