World World Mission Mission SundaySunday

October 18October 18thth 2015 2015

Theme: ‘Abundant Life’.Theme: ‘Abundant Life’.

‘Be Missionaries of God’s Love and Tenderness and Mercy’

Pope Francis

Pope Francis has said: ‘A way has to be found  to enable  Pope Francis has said: ‘A way has to be found  to enable  everyone to benefit from the  fruits of the earth, and not everyone to benefit from the  fruits of the earth, and not simply close the gap between the affluent and those who simply close the gap between the affluent and those who must be satisfied with the  crumbs from the table, but must be satisfied with the  crumbs from the table, but above all to satisfy the demands of justice, fairness and above all to satisfy the demands of justice, fairness and respect for every human being.’ respect for every human being.’

The theme for Mission Sunday 2015

is ‘Abundant Life’

What is World Mission Sunday?What is World Mission Sunday?

World Mission Sunday, organized by World Mission Sunday, organized by the Propagation of the Faith, is a day the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church’s recommit themselves to the Church’s missionary activity through prayer missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. This celebration takes and sacrifice. This celebration takes place on the same day in every place on the same day in every Catholic parish in the world!Catholic parish in the world!

Pope Francis speaks of Mission in Pope Francis speaks of Mission in 2015……2015……

‘‘Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a Mission is a passion for Jesus and at the same time a passion for his passion for his peoplepeople. When we pray before Jesus crucified, we see the depth of . When we pray before Jesus crucified, we see the depth of his love which gives us dignity and sustains us. At the same time, his love which gives us dignity and sustains us. At the same time, we realize that the love flowing from Jesus’ pierced heart expands we realize that the love flowing from Jesus’ pierced heart expands to embrace the People of God and all humanity. We realize once to embrace the People of God and all humanity. We realize once more that he wants to make use of us to draw closer to his more that he wants to make use of us to draw closer to his beloved people and all those who seek him with a sincere heart. beloved people and all those who seek him with a sincere heart. In Jesus’ command to “go forth”, we see the scenarios and ever-In Jesus’ command to “go forth”, we see the scenarios and ever-present new challenges of the Church’s evangelizing mission’present new challenges of the Church’s evangelizing mission’

WE ARE ALL MISSIONARIES

Do you know the date of your Baptism?

Well, on that day, you became a missionary, called by our Lord to share your faith with those around you – and to be part of the Church’s mission to the world.

We are not all able to travel to foreign lands. However, we can all make effort in our daily lives – through prayer and sacrifice – to support those men and women who are called to leave their homeland and share the Good News of the Lord in a foreign land.

PrayersPrayersDuring this week of World Mission Sunday:During this week of World Mission Sunday: We pray for Pope Francis, as he continues We pray for Pope Francis, as he continues

on his journey in life, of shepherding, on his journey in life, of shepherding, stewarding and renewing the flock.stewarding and renewing the flock.

Lord Hear us. Lord Hear us. R. R. Lord graciously hear usLord graciously hear us

We pray for all missionaries: for the We pray for all missionaries: for the Christian communities that sent them and Christian communities that sent them and for all those who received and welcomed for all those who received and welcomed them. We ask God to bless all our them. We ask God to bless all our missionaries and to bless those who missionaries and to bless those who minister to us here at home.minister to us here at home.

Lord Hear us. Lord Hear us. R. Lord graciously hear usR. Lord graciously hear us

PrayersPrayersWe pray for Christians suffering We pray for Christians suffering persecution in many parts of the world. persecution in many parts of the world. May they have their human rights, May they have their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognised.equality and religious freedom recognised.

Lord Hear us. Lord Hear us. R. Lord graciously hear usR. Lord graciously hear us

We pray for deceased missionaries and for We pray for deceased missionaries and for all those who have gone before us. all those who have gone before us. Welcome them into the light of your Welcome them into the light of your kingdom and grant them eternal life.kingdom and grant them eternal life.

Lord Hear us. Lord Hear us. R. Lord graciously hear usR. Lord graciously hear us

Let us reflect…Let us reflect…Dear God,Dear God,It is hard to imagine that in 2015 we are living in a world where It is hard to imagine that in 2015 we are living in a world where 16, 000 babies are dying every day from malnutrition and 16, 000 babies are dying every day from malnutrition and nearly one billion people are going to bed hungry every night. nearly one billion people are going to bed hungry every night. Let us be conscious of this suffering in the Body of Christ Let us be conscious of this suffering in the Body of Christ during Mission Month as we unite ourselves with all of God’s during Mission Month as we unite ourselves with all of God’s people around the Eucharist on Mission Sunday.people around the Eucharist on Mission Sunday.

May we never lose the courage to seek for a better world, May we never lose the courage to seek for a better world, where no child will cry hungry, while another is bored with too where no child will cry hungry, while another is bored with too much. Where war is remembered in hushed tones, a memory much. Where war is remembered in hushed tones, a memory of forgotten days. Where colour and creed can celebrate with of forgotten days. Where colour and creed can celebrate with

pride, in their different ways. Amen.pride, in their different ways. Amen.

Concluding PrayerConcluding Prayer God our Father, You God our Father, You

bless us with the gift bless us with the gift of faith. Increase our of faith. Increase our faith as we answer faith as we answer the call to take part in the call to take part in the worldwide mission the worldwide mission of Jesus.of Jesus.

We ask this through We ask this through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.Amen.