As we approach World Mission Sunday, Oct. 20, I write to you with a heart full of hope, reflecting on the theme chosen by His Holiness Pope Francis: "Go and invite everyone to the banquet (cf. Matthew 22:9)." This message, rooted in the parable of the wedding banquet, calls us to a renewed sense of mission, inviting all to partake in the Lord's feast of love and salvation. On behalf of our Bishop Earl K. Fernandes and the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, one of the four pontifical mission societies, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for your generous support. Last year, the amount collected in the diocese for World Mission Sunday was $60,435.11.
His Holiness Pope Francis has exhorted to us in his Mission Sunday message that “In the footsteps of the Second Vatican Council and my predecessors, I recommend to all dioceses throughout the world the service of the pontifical mission societies. They represent the primary means ‘by which Catholics are imbued from infancy with a truly universal and missionary outlook and also a means for instituting an effective collecting of funds for all the missions, each according to its needs’ (Ad Gentes, 38). For this reason, the collections of World Mission Day in all the local Churches are entirely destined to the universal fund of solidarity that the Pontifical Society of the Propagation of the Faith, then distributed in the Pope’s name for the needs of all the Church’s missions.”
Pope Francis reminds us that "mission, we see, is a tireless going out to all men and women, in order to invite them to encounter God and enter into communion with Him." Let us inspire our communities with the joy and urgency of this mission. Let us encourage them to contribute financially and to deepen their commitment to missionary discipleship.
The word “mission” always has authenticity because it means being sent by someone to fulfill a goal. It has a concrete or solid foundation with a meaningful purpose. World Mission Sunday fosters the financial contribution that we receive from the laity, who generously contribute to a call to the missions. Jesus himself was the missionary sent by God the Father to us. As we read in the Bible, “As the father has sent me, so I sent you” (John 20-21). Jesus is asking us to promote His mission and the reign of God to the ends of the earth. Jesus is the only savior. Only in Him is there salvation for all mankind. Therefore, all humanity should get to know Him personally and remain faithful and trust in Him alone.
Every dollar raised is a testament to our collective commitment to the Great Commission (cf. Matthew 28:19-20). These funds are entirely devoted to evangelization efforts, including the support of seminaries, future religious sisters, catechists, Catholic schools, and health care centers that offer life-changing education and care to those most in need.
Let us urge one another to share the story of our Church's missionary journey, highlighting how the seeds planted by those before us have flourished into a global communion of faith, hope and charity. This collection is a tangible expression of our "yes" to God's call to be missionaries, extending His invitation to the banquet to everyone, everywhere.
As we prepare for World Mission Sunday, may we be inspired by the words of Pope Francis to "set out anew, each according to our state in life, to inaugurate a new missionary movement, as at the dawn of Christianity." Let us pray that the Lord may help us to be a more missionary Church, reaching out to every corner of the earth with His message of love and salvation.
May the Holy Spirit invigorate our missionary zeal and deepen our commitment to sharing the joy of the Gospel with all. I thank you for your dedication to this cause and for your continued prayers and support for the Church's mission. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our mission to make disciples of all nations and for inspiring our faithful to share in this vital work of the Church. Let us continue to pray for the pope’s missions and for the grace to always invite others to the banquet of the Lord.
Once more, I express my sincere thanks for all you do annually to foster World Mission Sunday in your parish and for nurturing a missionary spirit of prayer and sacrifice. Be assured of my continued prayers for you and know that the recipients of these offerings are also praying for you in gratitude.
