October is recognized in the Catholic Church as World Mission Month, a time when Catholics all over the world join to support and celebrate global missionary work. World Mission Month is a great opportunity to engage young people, it captures them and allows them to make connections between our faith and how we view the world around us. It is important to give them the opportunity to learn not only about the realities that our brothers and sisters face around the world but how in turn our Catholic faith calls us to respond and leads us to action to transform the world. The month starts with the feast of St Thérèse of Lisieux and draws to a close with World Mission Sunday – a special day of prayer and global solidarity celebrated in all Catholic parishes around the world. (In the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the collection takes place with the Combined Collection on Oct. 14-15, 2023)
Pope Francis has taken many steps to encourage all members of Catholic communities to recognize themselves as missionary disciples; working and praying together to share God’s love with everyone, everywhere. We echo his call each year as we encourage pupils and staff to participate in World Mission Month.
Were not our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:13
Pope Francis invites us to set our hearts ablaze with faith and put our faith into action, serving God's mission with joy, enthusiasm, and tireless dedication.
"Hearts on Fire"
As Christians, we're called to kindle the fire of Christ's love in our hearts. Our burning faith fuels our actions, inspiring us to serve others in our daily lives.
"Feet on the Move"
Pope Francis encourages us to not only feel the faith but to act on it. It's our mission to move, serve, and spread the Good News, bringing God's love and peace to all His children.
Below you will find resources that will help you celebrate World Mission Month and ignite your missionary hearts!
Read the full message...
These resources aim to support schools as they join the efforts of Catholics globally; to share the love and message of Christ in their communities, country and world.
Catholic Mission's 360VR experience. Using the Missionary Passport, virtually travel to missions around the world.
The map is a fun way to show children how they belong to the Universal Church. Navigate around the map and learn how children around the world are being missionaries of God's love.
Engage the heads, hearts, and hands of students, empowering them to understand not only what they are doing to support communities in need but why they are doing it. (by Catholic Mission, Australia)
Embracing the world in prayer. Learn how to pray for and with children around the world.
Participate in a national effort to support the Pope's Missions through the Missionary Childhood Association in honor of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, patron of the missions.
Children helping children! Through small, loving actions you too can deliver God’s love to the world.
Scripturally inspired by Jesus' parable of the "Widow's Mite" A Mile of Pennis for the Missions and the Mite Box Program is designed to encourage young people to give from their hearts.
Michael Mangan's classic sing-a-long is perfect for this year's World Mission Month theme which draws on the story of Emmaus from Luke's Gospel. Here, he teaches the actions that accompany this song, but you can make up your own for your school's Liturgy/Mass.
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