Mission Circles, a group within the Pontifical Mission Societies in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, are aiming to increase their impact on missionary work both in the United States and abroad, according to an April 23 announcement.
The effort comes as the number of active Mission Circles has declined across the archdiocese. The groups are described as a way for Catholic laity to provide ongoing financial and spiritual aid to missions worldwide while fostering local interest in global missionary activities.
Carl Mossberg, a parishioner at St. John Fisher Church in Palos Verdes, said he was inspired to get involved after visiting St. Bernadette’s Children’s Mission in Lima, Peru. “I went to our pastor at the time and said, ‘How do I start a nonprofit organization for this?’” Mossberg said. “He says, ‘I got this thing called Mission Circles. I think that’ll fit perfect.’”
Nicole Vasquez, bookkeeper and administrative assistant at the Pontifical Mission Societies in Los Angeles, explained how donations are managed: “It’s very helpful because a lot of this money is going overseas,” Vasquez said. “It works better with coming from our office than having to go through the books of the parish office.”
The Mission Circles began in 1956 as a way to support Msgr. Anthony Brouwers’ Lay Mission-Helpers program by providing year-round fundraising assistance from lay people with specialized skills such as doctors and teachers.
Mossberg recalled that his parish’s involvement started simply: “We got permission to sit out in front of the church and I would just walk around and pester all the different parishioners.” Over time, these efforts grew into larger events like their annual Peruvian Mission Festival fundraiser which attracted about 140 attendees last year and helped raise over $60,000 by 2025.
Father Tony Coney, founder of St. Bernadette’s Children’s Mission in Peru, highlighted how these contributions have made an impact: “The generous donations that we receive from them have enabled us to be able to continue the work that we do,” Coney said. “Beyond donations, the friendship with the group and visiting them every year is a moment I cherish because I am now with a group of people whom I consider to be friends.”
Despite success stories like St. John Fisher Church’s circle supporting missions such as St. Bernadette’s Children’s Mission—which now serves about 1,300 children directly—Vasquez noted that only five active circles remain today compared with nearly every parish once having one.
Mossberg emphasized administrative benefits for parishes participating: “From a business side of the organization…the Mission Circle takes that burden off of you,” he said.
Coney concluded by reflecting on mutual growth fostered through these partnerships: “I think it’s very much a case of God guiding us all and mutually allow our growth as Christians,” he said.
