In this year's message, the Holy Father reminded the faithful that he has asked that the Church take the entire month of October as a time to revive missionary awareness and commitment. In fact, the theme is the same for both the month of October and World Mission Day 2019: Baptized and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World.
This year, Francis addresses his World Mission Sunday message to us as we live out our baptismal call to be sent forth to evangelize the world. This is the mission that all Christians have received, and God gives us the grace to live it out wherever we may be.
As we pray and respond on World Mission Sunday here at home, we share in those celebrations taking place in every parish, seminary, school and convent all over the world. Together with the Church of Christ on mission in the world, we are baptized and sent, providing the prayerful and financial support necessary to bring the Lord’s mercy and concrete help to the most vulnerable communities in the Pope’s missions.
The following are words from Pope Francis' public letter in regards to the 2019 World Mission Sunday:
"Dear Brothers and Sisters,
For the month of October 2019, I have asked that the whole Church revive her missionary awareness and commitment as we commemorate the centenary of the Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud of Pope Benedict XV (30 November 1919). Its farsighted and prophetic vision of the apostolate has made me realize once again the importance of renewing the Church’s missionary commitment and giving fresh evangelical impulse to her work of preaching and bringing to the world the salvation of Jesus Christ, who died and rose again..."
From the Vatican, 9 June 2019.
Read The Holy Father’s Full Message Here: Solemnity of Pentecost
As we approach World Mission Sunday, donation envelopes will be mailed to your local parish to extend your generosity for this year's event. However, if you would like to make a contribution before then, donations can be made payable to the Propagation of the Faith and mailed to the following address:
Office of the Propagation of the Faith c/o Diocese of Oakland
2121 Harrison Street, Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94612
NOTE: The Diocese of Oakland combines both The Catholic Home Missions Appeal and World Mission Sunday into one collection date. Both parish donations and independent mail donations will be divided equally.