World Mission Sunday | “Go and invite everyone to the banquet (Mt 22:9).”

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On October 20, as we observe World Mission Sunday, we stand in solidarity with the Missions of the Church in this annual worldwide Eucharistic celebration.

As we gather in Communion this World Mission Sunday, I extend to you a heartfelt invitation from Pope Francis, inspired by the Gospel: “Go an invite everyone to the banquet (cf. Mt 22:9).” The call to mission resonates deeply with our faith’s core, urging us to share God’s love with the world.

Over a century ago, our own Catholic community in the United States was nurtured through the generosity of the worldwide Church that contributed to what is today this second collection. Now, we are called to extend that same generosity to our brothers and sisters in more than 1,150 mission territories across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific Islands and the Middle East.

The collection on World Mission Sunday directly supports seminarians, future religious sisters, catechists, Catholic schools that provide essential education, and healthcare centers that provide essential care, embodying the love of Christ.

As members of the Catholic church, which is universal by its nature, we are invited to participate actively in this mission. Our contributions and prayers on World Mission Sunday support the Church’s vital work of evangelization, inviting all to experience the joy and hope found in Christ.

I urge you, dear friends, to respond generously to this call. Let us unite in prayer for the success of the Church’s missionary activities and for the missionaries who dedicate their lives to spreading the Gospel. Your generosity is a powerful witness to the love and compassion at the heart of our faith.

May this World Mission Sunday deepen our commitment to the Church’s universal mission. Together, let us rejoice in the opportunity to share God’s love with the world, inviting everyone to life with Christ. Visit onefamilyinmission.org to donate today.

 

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend James V. Johnston, Jr.

Bishop, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph