Thomas More University to host Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals

Bella Bailey

Multimedia Correspondent

Thomas More University’s Center for Faith, Mission and Catholic Education, Crestview Hills, will be hosting founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. in the Ziegler Auditorium. This event, which is free and open to the public, aims to further the culture of service that Thomas More University instills in its students, said Andrew Cole, director of Campus Ministry.
“It’s an event that characterizes the emphasis of service for the University,” said Mr. Cole, “We’re trying to promote service and demonstrate that to our students.”

Mary’s Meals, named in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, provides school meals to starving and malnourished children in 16 different countries. “It’s all about providing daily meals in places of education for the world’s poorest children. So often, children who are missing their education, they’re missing school, because they are begging, or working or doing what they need to get food,” said Mr. MacFarlane-Barrow in a telephone interview with the Messenger.

The company got its start in the early 90s when Mr. MacFarlane-Barrow and his brother were touched by the war waging around Medjugorje, and the refugees effected. Together, they collected local aid and drove four days across Europe to deliver the collected aid. “We felt in a very particular way that Our Lady wanted us to do this,” said Mr. MacFarlane-Barrow.

The mission of Mary’s Meals coincides with that of Thomas More University’s where they ask students of all faith backgrounds to examine the ultimate meaning of life, their place in the world and their responsibilities to others.

“The number one goal is to give exposure to our mission as a university, as exemplified in Mary’s Meals and let the Holy Spirit operate for those who would care to support Mary’s Meals … It’s so that we can reach our objectives to integrate a culture of service at Thomas More,” said Mr. Cole.

Mr. MacFarlane-Barrow said about the connection between the mission of Mary’s Meals and Thomas More, “I think when we start to share, when we step out of our own comfort zone, we start to discover more fully who we are, who God made us to be, and we understand more deeply the meaning and purpose of our life.”