Catholics across the Archdiocese are being asked to respond to Pope Francis' call to prayer for Mission Sunday this weekend.

Archbishop Leo Cushley will be the principal celebrant at the inaugural National Mass at Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral in Motherwell on Sunday at 3pm.

He is Missio Scotland President and recently took part in a promotional campaign.

He said: "My mission is to preach the Good News in season and out of season, along with all the other bishops, priests and deacons and every man woman and child who has been baptised.

"We all have that mission to reach out to our brothers and sisters in joy."

Masses across the Archdiocese will have a second collection for the work Missio Scotland which supports missionaries across the world.

There are also missionaries closer to home. Father Francis Ututo is a member of the Sons of Mary, Mother of Mercy congregation (SMMM) in Nigeria and is based at Sacred Heart Parish in Grangemouth,

Speaking to the Scottish Catholic Observer, he praised the work of Scottish Catholic missionaries in boosting vocations in Nigeria

He said: "Between the 1960s and 1970s many priests, particularly from this Archdiocese, came to Nigeria to sow the seeds of Faith.

“Then after some 20-30 years, that seed has brought about missionaries who are happy to come back and say thank you and minister to the Church here in Scotland. That’s a great privilege for us.

“For us, Jesus gives the mandate: go throughout the whole world, proclaim the Good News. As missionaries we are happy to go to the ends of the earth, which includes here in Scotland!"

A spokesman for Missio Scotland said: "All are welcome. Please come along and celebrate our missionaries and the work of Missio Scotland."

National Mass to celebrate Extraordinary Mission Month, Sunday 20th October, 3pm, Our Lady of Good Aid Cathedral, Motherwell.