Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) – In Asia lay Catholics, rosary in hand, are in front line for mission. From Korea to the Philippines, to Taiwan and Malaysia, local Churches prepared to celebrate Mission Sunday on October 19.
In South Korea laity play a leading role in mission. In Seoul there will be the 2nd National Congress for Lay Missionaries to focus on the role of the laity in evangelisation, Fides Service was informed by Noella Hong at the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) Office in Korea. Copies of John Paul II’s Message for Mission Sunday and mission Sunday material were distributed to all parishes. See more information at www.cbck.or.kr
In Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei, Mission Sunday is announced and brought to the attention of the congregation. Homilies reflect on the theme of the Day and the Pope’s Mission Sunday message. Emeritus Bishop James Chan, national PMS Director in Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei informed Fides Service that various initiatives are undertaken to increase mission awareness among the faithful. Posters on the theme were posted to all parishes in the region, prayer cards with this year’s and next year’s Papal Missionary prayer Intentions were also sent to all local Churches in the region for distribution to parishioners. Included with this material also a photograph of the foundress of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Pauline Jaricot.
In Taiwan, National Director of PMS Father Lorenzo Fornaro informs Fides Service, mission awareness activities began in August with the distribution of Pope John Paul II’s Message for World Mission Sunday to all seven dioceses in Taiwan. In September dioceses organised retreats for religious and laity, recitation of the Missionary Rosary. On Mission Sunday passages of the Pope’s annual Mission Sunday message are always read out in church.
In the Philippines the PMS and the Bishops’ Commission for Missions launched a booklet “Beyond the Year of the Rosary: On Mission for Jesus with Mary” containing eleven homilies based on Pope John Paul II’s Mission Sunday message 2003. Material distributed to parishes included modules for catechists at state and private schools, a list of resources for mission animation and also missionary Rosary intentions for peace and evangelisation. On October 13 the World Apostolate of Fatima, the Children’s Rosary Foundation, Mahay Maria and other organisations comprising Marian solidarity organised the 3rd National Rosary Congress held at Quezon City on this year’s Mission Sunday Theme “Beyond the Year of the Rosary: on Mission for Jesus with Mary”. PA (Fides Service 18/10/2003 EM lines 38 Words: 429)
