Parishioners asked to support the missions

Posted Oct. 17, 2002

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord:

On WORLD MISSION SUNDAY, once again we hear the words of the Lord to his disciples: "Go, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and know that I am with you until the end of the world."

"The ... mission of the Church is essentially the announcement of God's love, mercy and forgiveness (as) revealed to mankind through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the proclamation of the good news that God loves us, and wants all people (to be) united in his loving mercy..." ... "from the heart of Christ on the cross, (we hear his prayer): 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.'"

"(T)he cry of Jesus on the cross is not the anguish of a desperate man, it is the prayer of the Son who offers his life to the Father for the salvation of all mankind. From the cross Jesus shows the conditions which enable us to forgive. To the hatred with which his persecutors nailed him to the, Cross, he responds with a prayer for them. He not only forgives them, he continues to love them, to want their good and to intercede for them. His death becomes the full realization of Love."

These words are given to us by the Holy Father in his special message for this Mission Sunday of 2002.

Through our participation at the Eucharistic Sacrifice on this World Mission Sunday, and by our monetary generosity to the support of the Missions, we can assist the Church in this great work of forgiveness and mercy. For it is by our prayers - united with the Sacrifice of the Mass - and by our financial giving - that we share in this great Missionary activity of the Church.

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith is the primary Pontifical Mission Society, which has been established by the Church, for the support and maintenance of the local churches and missionary efforts throughout the world. It is this society that is a conduit for much of our financial assistance to the missions.

As your Bishop, I ask for your special prayers and generous financial support for the Missions on World Mission Sunday.

Wishing you God's special blessings, I am,

Sincerely yours in Christ,

†Most Rev. Daniel N. DiNardo
Bishop of the Diocese of Sioux City