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The Diocesan Mission Commssion serves as an advocate for mission outreach and evangelization. God has a plan for each one of us - and we are all called to be missionary - to enliven a spirit of faith, hope and charity! The Diocesan Mission Commission cultivates a missionary spirit through:
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World Mission Sunday (Solidarity program)
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The Holy Childhood program
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Education program
World Mission Sunday - Solidarity program
World Mission Sunday was celebrated this year on October 22, 2017.
World Mission Sunday is a day that has been set aside for the whole church since 1926. To pray and support it’s missionaries in the way that Jesus instructed his disciples: "Go and make disciples of all nations" Mt 28:19
Every parish in the world is called to contribute to a worldwide solidarity fund to be distributed according to the needs of the poorest dioceses and parishes. It serves as a tool of justice and fraternity between dioceses enabling Bishops without resources to develop vocations, provide ministries, supply liturgical materials and create places of worship.
The 2017 theme in Canada is: "REDISCOVERING MISSION at the heart of Christian Faith"
The Diocese of London mandates this collection in parishes as per Bishop Fabbro's letter in support of WMS.
Every parish receives an information packages: Animation Kit and Poster, messages from Pope Francis and the Canadian National Mission Directors, Calendar Prayer cards, Pastoral resources and donation envelopes.
For further assistance, please contact us at (519) 488 - 0846.
Holy Childhood Program
The "Holy Childhood” society" started in 1843 and operates worldwide, even in the poorest faith communities. This is the Holy Father's own mission program for building a missionary spirit within the church, "children helping children".
The school program focuses on learning about other cultures in the world - about their spirituality, their service and their sacrifice. The children get to become missionaries of Christ and the Diocese advocates mission formation in all 5 School Boards in the London Diocese.
Teachers and parish catechists can order free material from the Holy Childhood Association ( Pontifical Mission Society, Toronto)Education Program - Missiology and Evangelization
With each Pope, with each cultural change and with each generation the church has provided missionary direction and guidance. We have learned that:
2) 1975 Exhortation by Paul VI - "Evangellii Nuntiandi" - "It (the church) exists to evangelize"
1) Vatican II document - "Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity" -
"The pilgrim church is missionary by her very nature"3) 1983 Code of Common Law - "The missionary Action of the Church (Cannon 791)
"To foster missionary cooperation in the individual dioceses"
4) Motu proprio 2012 - Benedict XVI - "On the service of Charity"
"The church's charitable acivity at all levels must avoid the risk of becoming just another form of organized social assistance."
5) Pope Francis - "Evangelii Gaudium " - The Joy of the Gospel
"When we live out a spirituality of drawing nearer to others and seeking their welfare, our hearts are opened wide to the Lord's greatest and most beautiful gifts. Whenever we encounter another person in love, we learn something new about God"
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