Twenty Ninth Sunday of Year B - 18th October 2009

"The nations will walk in its light"

Today, every parish in the world will celebrate World Mission Sunday as a sign of the Church's global solidarity in mission. The Church does not work "to extend her power or assert her dominion", but rather "to lead all people to Christ" and to be "at the service of all humanity".

The theme for this the 83rd World Mission Sunday is "The nations will walk in its light." (Rev 21:24)

In his letter Pope Benedict writes "The goal of the Church's mission is to illumine all peoples with the light of the Gospel as they journey through history towards God, so that in Him they may reach their full potential and fulfilment. We should have a longing and a passion to illumine all peoples -with the light of Christ that shines on the face of the Church, so that all may be gathered into the one human family, under God's loving fatherhood". Pope Benedict asks all Christians to redouble their commitment to participate in the missionary activity that is an essential component of the life of the Church.

Every year the needs grow for Catholic Church missions - as new dioceses are formed; as new seminaries are opened because of the growing number of young men hearing Christ's call to follow Him as priests; as areas devastated by war or natural disaster are rebuilt; and as other long-suppressed areas are opened to hear the message of Christ and His Church. That is why the involvement and commitment of Catholics from around the world is so urgently needed. Many mission dioceses would be forced to close without your help.

In a world where so much divides us, World Mission Sunday rejoices in our unity. And it provides us with an opportunity to support the life giving presence of the Church among the suffering and the poor in more than one thousand mission dioceses throughout the developing world.

The collection in England and Wales, on World Mission Sunday helps to support almost 200,000 schools, 5,000 hospitals, 18,000 dispensaries, 600 leprosy centres and 80,000 social and pastoral projects.

The Association for the Propagation of the Faith, APF, now known as Missio in England & Wales, is urging us all to take part in this special day of prayer and generosity.