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The Diocesan Mission Commission serves missionaries and missions through the guiding principle of "Mission Cooperation". Mission Cooperation Programs help direct missionary efforts toward missions that operate in service to Catholic principles and practices.
Mission Cooperation is achieved through A) Roman Catholic Institutes: B) Canadian Charities C) Eucharistic Celebrations D) Mission SupportA) Roman Catholic Institutes:
The Diocesan Mission Commission cooperates with Papal, Diocesan, Religious, Missionary and Lay institutes in an effort to serve the missionary nature of the church. Financial support for ministry, liturgy, catechesis and worship facilities support "Evangelization". Vocations are also supported as evangelical work.
Financial support that is sent outside Canada is usually sent through the Bishop who administers the mission territory. The Bishop's office or the Diocesan office of the operating mission helps safeguarding financial support. A formal letter of understanding can help clarify the mission work.
Instead of a Diocesan office, sometimes the Superior office of a religious order or missionary order partners with London Diocese. This is prevalent in situations where a missionary priest is serving in the Diocese of London or visiting in Canada. The mission office supports projects of missionaries and missionary groups in the diocese where possible.
Ongoing relationships exist with: The Pontifical Mission Society (Canada) , The Diocese of Whitehorse (Canada) , the Diocese of Osogbo (Nigeria), the Diocese of Porte au Prince (Haiti) , the Diocese of Keimoes - Upington (South Africa) , the Society of the Little Flower (India), and the Rosarians.B) Canadian Charities (Qualified Donnees)
The Diocesan Mission Commission cooperates with other Canadian missionary organizations that serve disaster relief programs, social justice and humanitarian efforts. Some national organizations are: 1) "Development and Peace" 2) "Aid to the Church in Need, Canada" 3) "Catholic Missions in Canada" 4) "Chalice"
C) Eucharistic Celebrations (Missionary Cooperation Plan - MCP):
Parishioners and parishes are encouraged to route their missionary donations directly to the registered Canadian Charity where possible. In some cases the parish or Diocesan Mission Office will receive the donation for tax receipt purposes and then forward the donation to the Charity as directed. Especially if the Charity is best suited to meet the original intent of the fundraising. Some examples of other qualified Canadian charities are: "Comboni Missionaries", "Scarboro Missions", "Save a Family Plan" .This mission program (MCP) enables parishioners at mass to participate in the missionary activity of the Catholic Church.Visiting missionaries share their particular mission story with parishioners during the Sunday celebration of the Eucharist.
Tangible outcomes are: 1) Parishioners recognize the universal nature of the church. 2) The Eucharistic celebration clearly connects faith and charity. 3) The program provides an activity for parish mission committees to sponsor. 4) Missionaries are supported with prayers and reflection. 5) Missionary vocations are promoted through lived spiritual experiences.
The Mission Office can help organize and coordinate these efforts to participate in the weekend liturgy. Parish Collections from these mission appeals are tax receipted by the parish and then forwarded to the Mission Office for distribution.
Some missionary requests to participate in weekend liturgies in 2018 are:
1) Missionary Fraternity of Mary, Guatemala - priestly formation of missionaries
2) Missionary Sisters of Mary Mother of the Church, Africa - evangelization outreach
3) Diocese of Byumba, Rwanda - evangelization materials and resources
4) Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria - to replace churches that were destroyed
5) Diocese of San Pablo, Philippines - support for seminarians and catechists
6) Disciples of Mary, Philippines - evangelization to youth
D) Mission Support - Pastoral Projects (next dropdown page)