Legacy of Love

Honoring the Joyce Family’s Impact on Our Mission

At Divine Word Missionaries, we are humbled and overjoyed to announce a transformative bequest from the late Walter Leo and Jo-Anne Joyce. Their generous legacy will significantly boost our mission, ensuring a brighter future for both aspiring and retired missionaries.

An enduring connection with Society of the Divine Word

Walt and Jo-Anne Joyce shared a profound connection with our missionaries – a bond that defined much of their lives. Their family recently visited us, underscoring how important the missionaries were to Walt and Jo-Anne, and how their legacy of support continues through this remarkable gift. 

“Faith was the undercurrent in our family,” said their daughter Eileen De Guire. “The Divine Word Missionaries were like family to Mom and Dad. They are a faith-filled organization, and Mom and Dad were all about their faith.”

Empowering future missionaries and honoring retired ones

Unfortunately, most of the missionaries that Walt Leo and Jo-Anne’s family remember are deceased, but their gift will provide increased support and care for others who have dedicated their lives to this mission. Our retired missionaries deserve our utmost respect and gratitude, and this gift ensures they receive the dignified care and support befitting their lifelong service. With strengthened resources, we also ensure that new generations are well-prepared to carry out our mission of spreading peace, hope and Gospel around the world.

Join us in celebrating this legacy

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Joyce family for their unwavering commitment to our mission, especially during this momentous occasion as we celebrate 150 years since our founding. 

“Mom and Dad’s view aligned with the Divine Word Missionaries’ outreach and bringing the faith to others,” Ms. DeGuire said. “Our parents wanted the legacy of the faith to be passed down.”

Their legacy is a testament to the lasting impact individuals can have on our work, and it inspires us to continue with vigor and dedication. We will keep the Joyce family in our thoughts and prayers, as they show the indelible impact that love, kindness and support can have on the world.

We are grateful to them and all our donors for being part of our missionary community and for sharing this journey with us as we honor a century and a half of service and dedication.

To find out how you can continue to support our missionary work, click below

 Ways to Give

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