BAPTIZED AND SENT

                Every year, something special happens on the next-to-last Sunday of October. It is World Mission Sunday which joins all Catholics of the world into one community of faith.

                Pope Francis has set October 2019 as an Extraordinary Mission Month to foster greater awareness of missio ad gentes (mission to the people) and to animate the missionary transformation of Church life and pastoral activity.

                The theme of this year’s observance of World Mission Sunday is: “Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World.” Celebrating this month will help us to rediscover the missionary dimension of our faith in Jesus Christ, a faith graciously bestowed on us in baptism. It is a treasure to be given, communicated and proclaimed. 

                We recommit ourselves to our common vocation through Baptism to be missionaries, through prayer, participation in the Eucharist, and by giving generously to the Society of the Propagation of the Faith. 

                In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our baptism. It provides an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and marginalized in more than 1,111 mission dioceses throughout the world.

                The second collection next weekend, October 19th and 20th, will be used to further the mission of the Church through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.