World Mission Sunday - October 23, 2016

World Mission Sunday, this year on October 23, 2016, celebrates the mercy of God as we extend His loving heart to our neighbor half a world away, through our prayers and sacrifices.

What is the Origin of World Mission Sunday?
In 1926, Pope Pius XI instituted World Mission Sunday.  He asked for prayer, animation, celebration, and offerings for the Missions.  His concern was to engender a sense of responsibility in people for supporting the Missions throughout the world.
The first commemoration was in 1927 and the Pope asked that it would be observed in every diocese, parish, and institute.  It was to be a true World Mission Sunday.  The collection on the first World Mission Sunday, like today, is for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, providing support for the life-giving and hope-filled work and witness of priests, religious, and lay pastoral leaders in mission churches.

What happens on World Mission Sunday (October 23, 2016)?
Your prayers and generous support on World Mission Sunday directly benefit the Mission Church today.  That support reaches clinics caring for the sick and dying, orphanages providing a place of safety and shelter, schools offering education from kindergarten through high school.  Your help provides for seminarians preparing for the priesthood, and religious Sisters and Brothers in formation programs.  All of this takes place in 1,111 mission dioceses, mostly in Africa and Asia, where the poorest of the poor receive an education and health care while experiencing the loving heart of our Lord through the service of priests, religious, and lay faithful.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT: www.IAmAMissionary.org.

This information was obtained from our Diocesan website: http://www.hbgdiocese.org/evangelization/the-diocesan-office-of-the-missions/world-mission-sunday-next-to-last-sunday-in-october/