Mission Sunday a time of gratitude for prayers, sacrifices, good works

“Hearts on fire, feet on the move” was the theme Pope Francis chose for this year’s World Mission Sunday, Oct. 22. By the look of the many schoolchildren marching along Main Street, Metuchen carrying placards of support, the Diocese answered him with a resounding “yes”.

World Mission Sunday was initiated by Pope Pius XI in 1926, but its roots go back to the 19th Century and Blessed Pauline Jaricot, who founded the Society for Propagation of the Faith in 1822. The goal of this annual celebration is to make all Catholics aware that the command of Jesus to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty and clothe the naked is a responsibility we all share.   World Mission Sunday is a means for all of us to do whatever we can for our sisters and brothers in need throughout the world.

This year the Diocesan celebration of World Mission Sunday began in the Community Room of the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi, Metuchen. Father John G. Hillier, diocesan director of Pontifical Mission Societies, welcomed all the participants and offered an opening prayer. After a missionary presentation by Sister Ella Mae McDonald, a member of the Religious Teachers Filippini order, youth of the Diocese prayed the Rosary.

The young people then processed down Main Street 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 led them in praying the Hail Holy Queen prayer.

Mass was celebrated at noon in the Cathedral with the Bishop as principalcelebrant.

Father Hillier, who served as homilist, began by asking how many of the young people present looked forward to receiving packages from Amazon, Fed Ex or UPS. He explained that many children and others who live in mission lands are too poor to receive deliveries. But they do look forward to receiving “valuable deliveries from the Society of the Propagation of the Faith and the Holy Childhood Association, on your behalf, including” food for the hungry, medicines for the ill as well as educational and spiritual materials in support of countries all over the world.

Many of our Catholic brothers and sisters living in the missions are, “desperately seeking a sign of God’s love in the midst of chaos and hatred,” he said. Father Hillier challenged those present, “Be that sign of God’s love through our prayers, sacrifices and good works in support of the missions.”

Bishop Checchio has called us, “young and old, to place ourselves in the proper missionary spirit to go outward.” One response to that call is the “Children Helping Children” program of the Propagation of the Faith’s Missionary Childhood Association.

In recognition of outstanding commitment, generosity and sacrifice to the Church’s missionary activities, awards were presented to the school programs of St. Helena, Edison; St. Stanislaus Kostka, Sayreville, and St. Matthew, Edison. The religious education programs of St. Elizabeth-St. Brigid, Peapack; Our Lady of Mount Virgin, Middlesex, and Most Holy Redeemer, Old Bridge, also received awards for their participation and achievements.

Each year as part of World Mission Sunday the National HCA selects 24 artwork submissions from thousands received by young people across the country.  This year Kaitlynn Wang, an eighth grader in St. Bartholomew School, East Brunswick, was one of two grand prize winners in the Christmas Artwork Contest. Her beautiful painting of the Magi following the Star will be available as a shareable digital greeting beginning the first week of Advent 2023.