The Pontifical Mission Societies include the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter Apostle, and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious. These Societies promote a prayerful missionary spirit among baptized Catholics and to gather a fund of support for the evangelizing and pastoral programs of more than 1,150 local churches of the Developing World.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Mission Journeys

Throughout the past decade, I have made many trips to the Developing World, visiting with our mission family. Our brothers and sisters in the Missions humble me with the depth of their faith.

For them, it is the overwhelming love of God, so visibly present in His Son Jesus, crucified and then resurrected, that sustains and strengthens them as they live with oppression, poverty, civil war and the myriad of trials of life in the Developing World.

And it is your prayers and sacrifices, through the Pontifical Mission Societies, that support and sustain the hope-filled presence and service of local priests, Religious and lay catechists who journey with the poor, day after day, reminding them of the Lord’s ceaseless, abiding love.

Having completed my two five-year terms as National Director, I ask you to join me in welcoming Father Andrew Small, OMI, as our new National Director for this "one family in mission." I thank you for your most generous support of the mission ad gentes, above all, for your prayers, your greatest gift. I pray you continue your support for the Missions, as I ask our Lord to reward Father Andrew as He has so blessed me in serving the Church's missionary work.

The missionary journey continues – and through prayer and sacrifice, we accompany missionaries everywhere, united as "one family in mission"!