I wish to share with you a message that Bishop Clément Fecteau prepared in French for World Mission Sunday, 23 October 2005.  Bishop Fecteau is participating in the Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist in Rome. He is Bishop of Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pocatière and bishop ponens with the French Sector of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

Each year the Universal Church sets aside the month of October for reflecting on and praying for missionary work throughout the world. This Sunday is aptly called World Mission Sunday. The liturgy offers us readings of the Word which recall that Jesus’ concern was that the Gospel be proclaimed to the nations and that disciples be commissioned for this. This particular day and throughout the month of October, conferences, exhibitions and activities are encouraged to highlight for Catholics their responsibility to support the Church outside of their own immediate surroundings. They are especially asked to give generously to the young diocesan churches established among the less fortunate in terms of human and economic resources.

This is an opportune moment for Catholics everywhere in the world to make a significant contribution to the Universal Solidarity Fund for the Propagation of the Faith. In particular and wherever people gather for Sunday Mass on this day, your contributions will be destined for this work of evangelization through the Pontifical Societies for the Propagation of the Faith in both the English and French sectors of Canada. The Society will distribute these funds in response to requests which have been approved by the Superior Council of National Directors which meets in Rome.

It is good to recall that the Pontifical Society for the Propagation of the Faith has a double objective – raising missionary consciousness among the faithful which in turn will lead to the sharing of resources. Together, we wish to stir up the ardour of all the baptized for the work of evangelizing, especially among the less fortunate, and to encourage missionary vocations.

All of us, brothers and sisters in our Catholic faith, are invited and challenged beyond these works of generosity to promote the Kingdom desired by Christ. As we approach the last week in this Year of the Eucharist, we should keep in mind the beautiful expression of the late John Paul II: If we are nourished with the Body and Blood of Christ crucified and resurrected, we will not dare keep “this gift” to ourselves. Rather, we must share the gift. In this we find the full meaning of World Mission Sunday 2005 –Mission: Bread broken for the Life of the World.

+ Peter A. Sutton, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas
Bishop Ponens
Society for the Propagation of the Faith for Canada (English Sector )

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