“This was a beautiful experience,” remarked parishioner Brianna Starkey, as she recalled brightly colored flags from many countries being carried in the opening procession and hearing the readings and prayers of the Mass being offered in different languages.
“It was special,” she recalled of the annual Diocesan Mass for World Missions, held in St. Veronica Church, Howell, Oct. 22.
PHOTO GALLERY: WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
World Mission Sunday has been the day each year that the Church throughout the world publicly renews its commitment to the missionary movement since 1926. This year’s observance, however, held added significance in that it marked the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith by Blessed Pauline Jaricot.
“We are all called to a missionary vocation, to be missionary disciples because we are all called by our Baptism to be [Christ’s] witnesses … to the ends of the earth,” Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., principal celebrant of the Mass, said in his homily.
The Bishop was joined at the altar by Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Veronica Parish and diocesan director of missions; Msgr. Kieran Harrington, national director of the Pontifical Missions Societies, and other visiting priests. Also in attendance were representatives of nine missionary groups who work in mission territories including Africa, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
“Every baptized Catholic is asked to bear witness to Christ, to participate in a mission of universal evangelization, and to seek strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit,” Bishop O’Connell said.
“We accomplish that goal in our prayers, in our words and in our lived deeds. These are the ways we bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ who draws us all into a spirit of missionary discipleship,” the Bishop said.
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell emphasized the importance of contributing to the World Mission Sunday collection. Through the collection, the formation of seminarians and religious men and women is made possible. Schools, orphanages and churches may be built in areas that are remote with few resources. Priests, religious brothers and sisters can purchase life essentials to make it possible to proclaim the Gospel.
This global collection effort provides for the building up of more than 1,000 local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Through the work of these churches, and their witness to Christ, the poor receive practical help and experience God’s love and mercy, his hope and peace, the Bishop said.
At the end of Mass, Msgr. Harrington presented certificates to three grammar school students from the Diocese in recognition of their being named winners in the annual Missionary Childhood Association’s Christmas Artwork Contest.
For 2022, the entry submitted by Daniela Les of St. Mary of the Lakes School, Medford, was recognized as a grand prize winner.
“I love art,” Les said, noting that her grand prize win was totally unexpected.
Msgr. Harrington also presented certificates to the 2020 artwork contest winners, Nina Bruno and Frank Marcantonio of St. Jerome School, West Long Branch.
Reflecting on the bicentennial of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, Msgr. Harrington, in closing remarks, spoke of Blessed Jaricot’s missionary work, saying that while she was born into wealth, she died poor in her missionary work to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
He then urged the congregation to remember that “In living a life of faith, choose what is the highest good, and do that to the highest degree.”
During refreshments and fellowship that followed the Mass, Maryknoll Brother John Blazo, representing Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America, Inc., said, “World Mission Sunday is a constant reminder that being a missionary is [about] building relationships with people around the world. The purpose of the missioner is to build bridges. The missioner tells the story of people who have no voice.”
“Jesus left us with a mission: Go out to the ends of the earth and be my witnesses,” said Sister Lisa Valentini of the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. “Our devotion is to send out the virtues of Jesus Christ through mercy, compassion and love.”