Florida Catholic | Bishop Dewane's Column

Oct. 21: World Mission Sunday

Presione aqui para el mensaje del Obispo en español.

OCTOBER 19, 2007

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At baptism, each of us is given the responsibility to be a missionary — to share our faith and to be active participants in the church's mission to all peoples.

Celebrated this year on Oct. 21, World Mission Sunday gives us the opportunity to reach out in faith to more than two-thirds of the world's people who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, their Savior, or to experience — through the word and witness of missionaries — his abiding love. On World Mission Sunday, within the context of the Eucharist, we can offer our prayers and support, through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, for the mission of making Jesus known "to the ends of the earth."

World Mission Sunday is truly a universal celebration — a recommitment to the church's evangelizing mission, taking place in parishes throughout the world. Therefore, on Oct. 21, united with Catholics throughout the world, let us pray for the church's missionary work and offer our personal sacrifices — our own sufferings, cares and concerns — in union with the sufferings of Christ on the cross for the salvation of the world. We also should offer financial help through the Propagation of the Faith for the church's work in more than 1,150 dioceses throughout Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and remote regions of Latin America.

The missionary work of the church depends on each one of us. Please be as generous as your means will allow and continue to pray that we will be eager and effective witnesses of Jesus in a world that is so in need of his love and peace.

Sincerely in Christ,

+ Frank J. Dewane
Bishop of Venice in Florida

Return to the Diocese of Venice Home Page