One Family in Mission

This past week we welcomed to our offices in Braintree the newly-appointed National Director for the Pontifical Mission Societies, Father Andrew Small, O.M.I. Although he and I have spoken on the telephone, it was good to have the opportunity to meet him in person. We had a very enjoyable visit and luncheon with Cardinal Sean, after which Father Small met with our staff. He and I concluded with an interview on The Good Catholic Life, the live radio broadcast that originates from the Archdiocese on 1060 AM every afternoon between 4 and 5 o’clock. All in all, a very busy day!

Father Small’s visit, and particularly the radio show, enabled us to focus on World Mission Sunday, the yearly celebration of the multi-focal and multi-cultural missionary activity of the Church. To listen to the show, click here. We had ample opportunity to “get out the word” on the importance of this event, at which we pay tribute to those countless men and women who have labored so generously to bring the Gospel to the far reaches of the world. This year we will pay special tribute to Maryknoll, the American Foreign Mission Society that was founded in Boston one hundred years ago.

Here in the Archdiocese of Boston plans have long been underway for our own celebration. First, World Mission Sunday is meant to be observed in every parish. To that end, we provide Parish Leader Guides that contain suggestions for the celebration of the Liturgy, as well as excerpts from Pope Benedict’s message for the day and a letter from me encouraging participation by every Catholic in observing the day.

In addition, I want to remind you of our Archdiocesan celebration, scheduled for October 23 at the 11:30 Mass at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. Cardinal Sean is the main celebrant of the Mass and will be joined by missionary priests and bishops from all over the world. This is a truly multicultural experience, with the participation of choirs from the various ethnic communities that enrich our Archdiocese by their presence and Scripture readings rendered in various languages. Everyone is invited to join us for the Mass at the Cathedral and to receive a World Mission Rosary blessed by Cardinal Sean.

More information is available at www.propfaithboston.org on our special World Mission Sunday page. You may also want to look at http://www.missioninscripture.org/ for some reflections on the readings for that day.
-Fr. Rodney J. Copp, JCL