Mission Sunday
The theme for World Mission Sunday in Ireland this year is Together in Mission. This togetherness found a deep resonance during Mission Month last year when we were praying for the safety and speedy release of Fr Michael Sinnott, the Columban Missionary who had been kidnapped in the Philippines. His plight and the response to it was a fitting tribute to how we are truly together in mission - each of us involved according to our circumstances, contributing our gifts of prayer, the offering of our sufferings and whatever financial contribution we can make to bring about the Lord's kingdom of justice and peace.
In his letter for Mission Sunday this year, Pope Benedict XVI wrote, "Please support the Younger Churches by your prayers. In spite of present economic difficulties, please also give them material support. The Mission Sunday collection organised by the Pontifical Mission Societies, to whom I express my gratitude, will go towards the support of priests, seminarians, religious and catechists in distant missionary lands."
On the show this week we give an introduction to the various Pontifical Missionary Societies and the work they do which our regular panelist Shane Ambrose discusses in the context of his experience working with a Ugandan diocese. We also discuss the meaning and understanding of mission and how it has changed from being purely a focus of religious and priests to go abroad to proclaim the gospel and evangelise and instead how each Mission Sunday we are asked to put aside - for that day - our support for our favourite missionary group or project so as to show our solidarity with the younger Churches throughout the world, especially those with the least resources.
"Mission is understood as being everywhere. It is in any situation where we are responding to the call to bring the message of the gospel to the whole world in the promotion of peace, justice, human communion and the integrity of creation."The Mission Sunday collection is made available, in its entirety, to be distributed to the 1096 young Churches who are supported by the generosity of Churches that are better off. The Irish Office sent more than €2.5 million, collected in the thirty-two counties last year, to help build up the Church in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as helping in the training of novices and seminarians.
Further information can be found at the websites of World Missions Ireland and the Irish Missionary Union.
Sunday Gospel
This weeks gospel is the sending of 12 out to the villages and towns of Judea from Luke 9:1-6 and is a constant challange to us today as we are still being called by the Lord to go out and proclaim the Good News in the world we live in today.
Saints of the Week(s)
Saints of the Week(s)
Because next weeks show is an interview with Sr Dympna Clancy FMA about VIDES Erin, we did a double helping of celestial companions this week!
24th October - Mission Sunday
28th October - Sts Simon and Jude, Apostles
29th October - St Colman
31st October - 31st Sunday of the Year
2nd November - All Souls
3rd November - St Martin de Porres
6th November - All Saints of Ireland
Local Notices
- Sacred Space 102fm gives a big congratulations to the Youth Ministry Office of Diocese of Limerick on the completion of their project and publication of "Prayers of Our People". Have a look at our post here and give it your support.
- Cafe Theology in Cafe Noir, O'Connell St Limerick on 26th October at 7pm with special guest David Quinn speaking on "Is political correctness threatening religious freedom?"
Thanks for listening!
John and Shane
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.