Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
New York (Fides Service) - Gathered at the Eucharist this World Mission Sunday, October 23, celebrating our common mission to bring the Gospel “to the ends of the earth,” were the suffering - of the United States and of the world.
In New Orleans, Louisiana, an area devastated by Hurricane Katrina, the faithful gathered in churches not affected by the storm to offer their prayers and sacrifices for the Missions. “For all of us in the Archdiocese of New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina has been the catalyst that has scattered us - and united us, with one another and with the world,” wrote New Orleans Archbishop Alfred C. Hughes in his World Mission Sunday message to the people of his archdiocese. “Amidst the devastating loss of life and property, we have felt the loving embrace of prayers and help from so many, those here at home and far away.”
Archbishop Hughes wrote specifically of the “uplifting” messages from the poor of the Missions who “expressed their solidarity in prayer and sent help as well, even those in areas ravaged by their own natural disaster, the tsunami of December 2004. In times of tragedy - natural disaster, war and persecution - our mission family looks to the Church and her missionaries for help and hope,” he continued, speaking of World Mission Sunday as “an opportunity to sustain the life-giving presence of missionaries and of the Church among the poor of the Missions. The missionary work of the Church depends on each one of us,” Archbishop Hughes stated. Father Wayne Paysse, director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in New Orleans, observed, “For us, this is an October like no other before. But this is still ‘Mission Month.’ People of faith we have reached out to over the years are now extending themselves to us. The world has united in prayer and support around the suffering along the Gulf Coast.” World Mission Sunday materials were sent to a little more than 70 parishes in that archdiocese, out of the total 142 parishes. In addition, there was an archdiocesan World Mission Sunday Mass at St. Louis Cathedral on October 23. Father Patrick Byrne, SVD, international secretary-general of the Holy Childhood Association, a Pontifical Mission Society, was the homilist at the Cathedral Mass; Auxiliary Bishop Dominic Carmon, SVD was principal celebrant.
United on this World Mission Sunday were also the suffering in other countries - mission countries. In Sudan, the poor gathered at the Eucharist to pray and offer what help they could so that the Gospel is preached to all nations; last year, that financial help totaled just under $2,000 from Sudanese Catholics. The papal nuncio from the Sudan, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, visited Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for “Mission Week,” bringing with him posters and parish materials used in that African nation to mark World Mission Sunday. “The Church is a major agent for peace and also for the process of rebuilding here in the Sudan,” Archbishop Mamberti said. “The people know the help and hope they’ve received from the Church, and the difference their faith in Jesus Christ has made in their lives. They want to share that with others.”
On another continent, children in St. Mary’s parish in Issanagri, in the Diocese of Faisalabad, Pakistan, offered prayers and sacrifices - along with the adults of this parish - for the Church’s worldwide mission, while at the same time, collecting funds, clothing and supplies for the children injured in the October 8 earthquake in the north of their country. “We are doing little things in solidarity and love,” wrote the pastor of St. Mary’s, Father Khalid Rashid, of efforts for the Missions and the suffering of his own country. “We are the heralds of hope - and of Christ. We have hope for the good. For with God, everything is possible.” (RG) (Agenzia Fides 26/10/2005, righe 35, parole 506)
