The following is a letter from Mike Gable, Mission Office Director for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. See below for a selection of stories from the October 2014 print edition’s Mission Section.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ. For this reason, the mission ad gentes continues to be most urgent. All the members of the church are called to participate in this mission, for the church is missionary by her very nature: she was born “to go forth.” World Mission Day (Oct. 19, 2014) is a privileged moment when the faithful of various continents engage in prayer and concrete gestures of solidarity in support of the young churches in mission lands. It is a celebration of grace and joy. A celebration of grace, because the Holy Spirit, sent by the Father, offers wisdom and strength to those who are obedient to his action. A celebration of joy, because Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, sent to evangelize the world, supports and accompanies our missionary efforts.”

Selected Content from Mission Section 2014
Mission section letter from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
Missionaries reflect on experiences in Asia
Glenmary Home Missioners celebrate 75 year legacy

“I invite you to immerse yourself in the joy of the Gospel and nurture a love that can light up your vocation and your mission. I urge each of you to recall, as if you were making an interior pilgrimage, that “first love” with which the Lord Jesus Christ warmed your heart, not for the sake of nostalgia but in order to persevere in joy. The Lord’s disciples persevere in joy when they sense his presence, do his will and share with others their faith, hope and evangelical charity.”

“Let us pray through the intercession of Mary, the model of humble and joyful evangelization, that the church may become a welcoming home, a mother for all peoples and the source of rebirth for our world.”

Consequently, the Mission Office encourages your to consider short or long term missionary service and to donate to the Holy Father’s Society for the Propagation of the Faith at your parish on the weekend of Oct. 19. Your gift helps to make God’s grace and joy come alive in dioceses that are mostly located in Africa and Asia where local lay catechists and seminarians are being trained to serve their own communities. Your donation also keeps the doors open of 10,000 orphanages, 9,000 clinics and 1,200 schools in these mission dioceses.

On the following pages, please look for our Financial Report that demonstrates the wonderful mission support of our parishes, schools and PSRs of the past year. Note the articles about improving mission trips and our list of missioners from our archdiocese. Be inspired by the stories about the amazing faith of our local Asian Catholics and what spiritual and cultural gifts they bring to the local and universal church.

Lastly, know that you are invited to attend a special Mass and social event on World Mission Sunday, Oct. 19, at 3 p.m. at Badin High School, 571 New London Rd., in Hamilton. The spiritual and cultural gifts of our local Asian Catholics will be honored and celebrated.  Catholics of all cultures are warmly invited to celebrate with us.  For more details about this event and for more information about short or long term missionary work, you may wish to visit the website of our local Mission Office at www.catholiccincinnati.org/mission.

Sincerely in the Mission of Christ,
Dr. Mike Gable
Mission Office Director
Archdiocese of Cincinnati

The above letter and related links originally appeared in the October 2014 print edition of The Catholic Telegraph.