Renewing the Face of the Earth
Jesus Christ reveals
to each person the great love of God the Father.
All who receive and accept God’s love offered
through Jesus are given the power to change the
direction of their hearts and live as “a new
creation.” The Holy Spirit enables each person
to know Jesus and become like Him through the gift
of Baptism, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. All
who believe in Christ are given the power to carry
the gift of His love to all nations. Through the
guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers are united
and organized under the direction of our Holy Father,
Pope Benedict XVI. The local churches participate in
this universal call under their bishops and with
their home and diocesan missionaries. The Pope has
adopted the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies as
the way to share our faith. The four international
organizations of the Pontifical Mission Aid Societies
assist believers around the world to participate
intimately in Christ’s mission to renew the
face of the Earth.
Pontifical Mission
Societies in the United States
The
Society for the Propagation of the Faith
is the major means of providing spiritual and material
support to the missions. It offers assistance to
young churches, comforts those who are suffering,
and promotes faith, hope, and charity among all
peoples of the world.
The Holy Childhood
Association is a “children helping
children” program that fosters in youth an
appreciation for other cultures and teaches them
to share. The Association operates in Catholic elementary
schools and parish religious education programs.
The Society of St.
Peter, Apostle provides support for
the formation of future priests, religious sisters
and brothers in mission countries. It helps individuals
who may not otherwise have the opportunity to serve
the Church through religious vocations.
The Missionary Union
of Priests and Religious fosters a
missionary spirit among priests, sisters and brothers,
helping them add a missionary dimension to their
pastoral activities.
The Office of Missions
of the Archdiocese of Washington
The activities
of the Pontifical Mission Societies are carried
out in the Archdiocese of Washington through the
Office of Missions, and assists believers at
home to deepen their baptismal commitment in fulfilling
their missionary responsibility. The Office of
Missions extends the care of the Archdiocese of
Washington to dioceses, communities and individuals
serving the Church in mission lands by:
- Maintaining
close contact with our own missionaries
- Visiting mission
countries to learn first-hand the special needs
of missionaries and the people;
- Providing direction
and help to lay missionaries
- Fostering prayers
and sacrifices for missions in parishes, schools,
hospitals, and nursing homes;
- Soliciting
funds for the work of the Pontifical Mission Aid
Societies;
- Facilitating
the celebration of World Mission Sunday in October
of each year;
- Coordinating
the Missionary Cooperative Plan, which enables
missionaries to share their experiences directly
with parishioners during the Sunday Liturgy;
- Assisting those
who choose to make periodic or monthly donations
to support missionary work;
- Confirming
the worthiness of charities for those who wish
to designate a gift to a specific missionary project
or community;
- Coordinating
the Partnership in Mission Program, whereby parishes
“link-up” with other parishes or programs
in mission countries;
- Offering information
on Annuities and Investment Programs, and assisting
those who wish to make a Bequest to the Societies.
All of these activities help
unite the efforts of believers in the Archdiocese
of Washington to the world-wide Catholic effort
to bring Christ to all nations and cultures.
How can I help?
You
can carry out your baptismal commitment to be a
missionary by:
- Giving witness
to your love for Christ and His Church with your
family, friends and everyday acquaintances;
- Fostering a
devotion to the missions among our children;
- Developing
a sincere appreciation for missionaries such as
St. Therese of the Child Jesus and St. Francis
Xavier, who offered their lives for the work of
the missions;
- Offering financial
assistance to help support the material needs
of mission lands;
- Attending weekday
Mass, joining your prayers and sufferings to the
sufferings of Christ and participating more intimately
in His mission to renew the face of the Earth.
- Forming or
joining missionary “circles of cooperation”
sponsored by various missionary groups.
How can I go to the Missions?
For more information about how you can
help the work of the missions through the Pontifical
Mission Societies, contact us at 301-853-4527.
