This Mission Month we are embracing the words of Pope Francis who has said,‘All Christian families are missionary families’ and he invites us to reflect on what this theme means for us in our daily lives especially on World Mission Sunday this year which is celebrated on the 21stof October. Pope Francis writes in further explanation. ‘Christian families are missionary families in their everyday life, in their doing everyday things, as they bring to everything the salt and leaven of faith’
World Mission Sunday is celebrated in every church worldwide to help support the fearless work of missionaries overseas. It’s the one Sunday in the year that Pope Francis askes of your extra generosity so that faith, hope and love can be given to those who need it most. It is the Sunday when also we celebrate the contribution of religious, priests and lay people from the diocese of Killaloe who minister abroad as missionaries in third world countries.
Over the past few months a returned missionary group and friends of the missions has been meeting in the diocese and will undoubtedly help to promote the missionary charism and be of assistance to Bishop Fintan as we celebrate in 2019 and extraordinary year of the Missions. Members of this group have kindly agreed to share their stories at Masses on this Mission Sunday.
As its slogan this year World Missions Ireland it underlines what we already know in our hearts but may need to put into action. Every Church, every parish and YOU helping to change lives!So, the invitation then for this year on Mission Sunday is to please can you pray a little stronger and dig a little deeper?
Pope Francis speaking in Phoenix Park on August 26th2018 spoke powerfully of the missionary vocation of each Christian. “The church as a whole is called to “go forth” to bring the words of eternal life to all the peripheries of our world. Share the gospel of the family as joy for the world!”
You can find out more on World Missions Ireland website www.wmi.ie or email info@wmi.ieor phone 01 497 2035 , or locally you can contact diocesan mission director Fr Tom O’Halloran 067-27105 or tomashalloran@gmail.com.Fr Tom has once again thanked the people of the diocese of Killaloe for their wonderful generosity to worldwide mission and who contributed €61,524 in 2017 this being the ninth highest diocesan contribution in Ireland. You may contribute yet again in churches on Mission Sunday or you can donate €4 now, by texting the word ‘Mission to 50300.