World Mission Sunday recognizes youth missionary efforts

Since 1926, the Catholic Church has celebrated World Mission Sunday each October. The day, sponsored by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is set aside annually to remind Catholics worldwide of the command of Jesus to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked. It allows everyone to participate in the Church’s missionary activities through prayer and sacrifice. A special collection is taken up in every Church worldwide.

This year the diocesan World Mission Sunday was celebrated on Oct. 20 at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Beginning in the Cathedral Hall, Father John G. Hillier, diocesan director, Pontifical Mission Societies, welcomed the young people and their families who were participating and offered an opening prayer. He then introduced Father Mhonchan Ezung, parochial vicar at Immaculate Conception Parish in Somerville.

Father Ezung is originally from Nagaland, a state in the northeastern region of India. He explained that his grandfather, who was the chief of his village, was not a Christian initially. It was only when a Catholic missionary priest visited the area to spread the message of Jesus Christ his grandfather was baptized, along with all the members of the village. Father Ezung went on to say that it was only due to another missionary priest that he discovered his vocation. “Without his presence and example, I would not be a priest today,” he said.

After the Rosary was prayed, led by five students from Catholic schools and religious education programs throughout the Diocese, the young people processed to the entrance of the Cathedral carrying signs and posters depicting the work of Catholic missionaries around the world.  Bishop James F. Checchio greeted the procession on the steps of the Cathedral where he thanked them for their missionary efforts and led them in praying the Hail Holy Queen.
Bishop Checchio was the principal celebrant at the Cathedral’s noon Mass. Concelebrants included Father Hillier, who served as the homilist; Father Timothy A. Christy, Cathedral rector, and Father Anthony M. Sirianni, pastor, St. Helena Parish, Edison.

In his homily Father Hillier expressed his gratitude to all the young people who are following in the footsteps of Jesus. He expressed, “How grateful I am for you and your service. You are the Church of the present, you are the Church of the future.”

At the end of the Mass Mila C. Dionisio, assistant director, Office of Pontifical Mission Societies for the Diocese, recognized the work and contributions of all the principals, parish catechetical leaders and missionary coordinators to support the Missionary Childhood Association.

Three schools and three parish programs received awards for their outstanding commitment to the work of the Missionary Childhood Association in the Diocese: St. Helena School, Edison; St. James School, Basking Ridge and St. Matthew School, Edison, and the religious education programs of St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid-Peapack; Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex and Most Holy Redeemer, Old Bridge.

Each Advent Season the MCA sponsors a Christmas Card Contest for children in grades kindergarten through eighth grades. They are asked to depict a theme related to the season.  Twenty-four winners have their artwork displayed in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, during the Christmas Season.

One of the winners for 2024 is Axele Sanz, second grader in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Whitehouse Station. He said it was a family affair to help select his topic, the Annunciation. He depicted the Angel Gabriel announcing to the Blessed Virgin that she was to be the mother of the Messiah.

Axele’s winning artwork will be used for this year’s Christmas card for diocesan Office of Pontifical Mission Societies. Artistic talent obviously is present in the Sanz family as his brother was also selected as a winner when he was in second grade.

Coordinating all the activities necessary for the World Mission Sunday celebration required assistance from many people, including Jordan Coellar, a senior at Immaculata High School in Somerville. She has been involved in the Mission Sunday observation for 10 years. She said that her family has always been active in service to the Church and the community, and, “I guess service is just part of my DNA.”