This year’s theme is ‘I Will Build My Church’.

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap. will be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Annual World Mission Sunday Mass. This Mass commemorates the vital work of mission churches throughout the world and the support extended to their efforts by the faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Archbishop Chaput calls on all to be missionaries. He said, “Our mission, our purpose and task as Christian disciples, is simple: ‘Make disciples of all nations’ ( Mt. 28:19). Jesus meant exactly what he said, and he meant those words of the Gospel for all of us, including you and me. We need to bring Jesus Christ to the whole world and the whole world to Jesus Christ. Our mission flows straight from the inner life of the Trinity. God sent his Son. The Son sends his Church. And the Church sends us.”

During the weekend of October 18th and October 19th, missionaries will also be speaking in several parishes throughout the five-county Archdiocese on behalf of World Mission Sunday. Missionary groups such as the Apostles of Jesus, the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, the Catholic Volunteer Network, the Divine Word Missionaries, the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, the Carmelite Missionaries, the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, representatives from the Diocese in Kabgayi in Rwanda, and others will relate the importance of their missionary work throughout the world.

After Holy Communion, Archbishop Chaput will present an award to four winners of the 2013-2014 Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) Annual Christmas Artwork Contest. The winners are Alice Medina, Saint Peter the Apostle School in Philadelphia; William Green, Saint Peter the Apostle School in Philadelphia; Gianna Mars, Regina Coeli Academy in Abington; and Sydney Scott, Regina Coeli Academy in Abington. MCA is the Pontifical Mission Society for children.

One of the students, Alice Medina, is one of 24 national winners selected from thousands of entries in the National MCA Christmas Artwork Contest. Her artwork will be displayed at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. during the Advent season. The three other students will be have their artwork displayed on each side of the main altar during the Mass.

Editor’s Note: For more information, please contact the Archdiocesan Pontifical Mission Societies Office at 215-587-3944 or for a complete itinerary of the World Mission Sunday Mass visit World Mission Sunday Mass.

Contact
Jhoselyn Martinez
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747