This Sunday we celebrate World Mission Sunday where the Catholic Church across the world comes together as one community of faith to support the work of the missions. This annual observance was established in 1926 by Pope Pius XI’s Papal decree. Every year since then, the church has dedicated the month of October to reflect on and pray for the missions. This annual celebration gives us a chance to reflect on the importance of mission work for the life of our Church, reminding us that we are one with the world, no matter how different our situations may be.
For this year’s World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis has chosen a theme inspired by the story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, in the Gospel of Luke Hearts on fire, feet on the move.
The annual Catholic Mission World Mission Sunday Appeal will be held across all our parishes this weekend. This appeal highlights the burning passion that drives missionaries around the world to take action for a more just world, in particular the work of the Salesian Sisters in Timor-Leste.
Sr Carolina, who is the face of the awareness and fundraising campaign, is a great example of the devotion of missionaries, dedicating herself to providing critical healthcare services to the rural community of Venilale in Timor-Leste. The Salesian Sisters first opened a Clinic here in 1995 to provide urgent healthcare services to a community still bearing the scars of decades of unrest. Most of the treatment at the Maria Auxiliadora Clinic focuses on tuberculosis and malnutrition, two life-threatening illnesses well known to the local community.
After decades of journeying with the Venilale community, Sr Carolina can summarise her understanding of Mission in a sentence “Mission is where many people need you.”
Through Catholic Mission, you are invited to journey with Sr Carolina, and walk alongside the Salesian Sisters and the resilient community of Venilale. Your generous contributions will help to provide resources for the clinic so they may be able to continue to provide life-giving services to the local community and many other life-giving mission programs around the world.
In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity as missionaries by our Baptism, as it offers each one of us an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of the Church among the poor and marginalized throughout the world.
To donate online, read and meet the extraordinary missionaries who are dedicated to creating a more just world visit Catholic Mission.
Source: Catholic Mission
Image: Sr Caroline walking towards better health for Timor-Leste with Santina and Jose
Published: 20 October 2023
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