The SVD AUS Province is gearing up to celebrate World Mission Sunday on October 22, with activities planned across the Province to mark this special day in the Church’s calendar, and resources available to share.

AUS Province Mission Secretary, Fr Truc Quoc Phan SVD says it has been a tradition of the Church since 1926 to set aside the penultimate Sunday in October each year to reflect on ‘Mission’.

“This year, Pope Francis, in his message for World Mission Sunday, puts forth a challenge that requires deep reflection,” says Fr Truc.

“He asks, ‘What is the basis of our mission? What is the heart of our mission? What are the essential approaches we need to take in carrying out our mission?”

The Pope’s message invites the Church to reflect anew on the mission at the heart of the Christian faith.

“The Church is missionary by nature; otherwise, she would no longer be the Church of Christ, but one group among many others that soon end up serving their purpose and passing away,” the Holy Father says in his message.

He urges people to recognise that the Church’s mission is enlivened by a spirituality of “constant exodus”.

“We are challenged ‘to go forth from our own comfort zone in order to reach all the peripheries in need of the light of the Gospel’ (Evangelii Gaudium, 20).

Fr Truc says that parishes, groups and communities are invited to visit the SVD website at www.divineword.org.au and download a Liturgy Resource Kit, aimed at creating a meaningful celebration of World Mission Sunday.

There is also a downloadable poster and suggestions for different ways to celebrate the day.

“I urge all individuals, parishes, groups and organisations to collaborate in their local church to animate and make the celebration of World Mission Sunday, joyful, fruitful and memorable,” he says.

Downloadable Resources:

pdf Pope Francis World Mission Sunday message 2017

document Mission Sunday Liturgy Resource 2017

pdf Mission Sunday Poster 2017