World Mission Sunday 2024

October 10, 2024

My dear friends in Christ,

In his message for World Mission Day 2024, Pope Francis shared the following: “the Risen Lord remains close to his missionary disciples and walks beside them, particularly when they feel disoriented, discouraged, fearful of the mystery of iniquity that surrounds them and seeks to overwhelm them. So, ‘let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of hope!’ (Evangelii Gaudium, 86). The Lord is greater than all our problems, above all if we encounter them in our mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the world. For in the end, this mission is his and we are nothing more than his humble co-workers, ‘useless servants’(cf. Lk 17:10).”

The second to the last weekend of October is celebrated as World Mission Sunday around the world. Our diocese joins with the worldwide church is supporting the work of the Holy Father through the various missionary societies.

The Holy Father continues, “I desire to express my closeness in Christ to all the men and women missionaries in the world, especially to those enduring any kind of hardship. Dear friends, the Risen Lord is always with you. He sees your generosity and the sacrifices you are making for the mission of evangelization in distant lands.”

Your donation on the weekend of October 20  is critical. The Pontifical Mission Societies serve the Church’s universality as a global network of support for the Pope in his missionary commitment by prayer, the soul of mission, and charitable offerings from Christians throughout the world. These donations assist the Pope in the evangelization efforts of particular Churches (the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith), in the formation of local clergy (the Pontifical Society of Saint Peter the Apostle), and in raising missionary awareness in children (Pontifical Society of Missionary Childhood).

In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our Baptism. It also provides an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and marginalized in nearly 1,200 mission dioceses. Thank you for prayerfully reflecting on your own baptismal call, and support World Mission Sunday in your parish.

With every prayerful best wish, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ, 
 
Most Reverend Robert J. McManus
Bishop of Worcester