World Mission Sunday, the worldwide Eucharistic celebration for the Missions and missionaries of the world, is celebrated annually in parishes worldwide on the next to last Sunday in October, this year on Oct. 22.
The World Mission Sunday collection is a unique, global effort for the entire Church to provide for the building up of over one thousand local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Through the work of these churches, and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, his hope and peace.
Through baptism, we are called to be part of the Church’s missionary efforts, through prayer, self-sacrifice and support of missionary vocations through material aid.
Give in your parish the weekend of Oct. 21-22, or
GIVE SECURELY ONLINE
Read Bishop Walkowiak’s World Mission Day letter to parishioners:
How You Can Help
All donations to the World Mission Sunday collection go entirely to support churches, hospitals, schools and vocations in countries where the Church is new, young or poor. A vast majority of these are in Africa and Asia.
Give in your parish the weekend of Oct. 21-22.
GIVE SECURELY ONLINE
Promote World Mission Sunday on social media to help bring about awareness.
Use these downloadable graphics & suggested post text: (English and Español), and #WMS2023 #SpeakAboutMission #Pray #Give #WorldMissionSunday
Talk with others about World Mission Sunday and how their generosity can impact others, bringing God’s love, mercy, hope and peace to the poor.
“To evangelize is the very identity of the Church.”
In his message for World Mission Day 2023, (Español) entitled “Hearts on fire, feet on the move” (cf. Lk 24:13-35), Pope Francis writes, “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). Every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ. The pope goes on to write: “So let us always be willing to let ourselves be accompanied by the Risen Lord as he explains to us the meaning of the Scriptures. May he make our hearts burn within us; may he enlighten and transform us, so that we can proclaim his mystery of salvation to the world with the power and wisdom that come from his Spirit.”
Remembering that we are baptized and sent in Christ on mission to the world, we can pray for the Church’s worldwide missionary work and offer financial help and charity through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. One of four pontifical mission societes, the Society for the Propagation of the Faith is entrusted with the promotion of World Mission Sunday, collection and distribution of the proceeds.
Resources
Pray the World Mission Rosary in October Learn more: (English | Español)
Each decade of the World Mission Rosary calls to mind an area where the Church continues her evangelizing mission.
Read Pope Francis’ World Mission Day 2023 message: “Hearts on fire, feet on the move” (Acts 1:8) (multiple languages)
World Mission Day and Extraordinary Mission Month (The Pontifical Mission Societies)
Parish Resources / Recursos Parroquiales
Learn more about the work of the diocesan Missions Office
Contact Father Stephen Dudek, director of missions, for more information.
