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From the Pastor’s Desk
Most Catholics know that the month of October is the Month of the Holy Rosary and Respect Life Month. The feast of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary is October 7 and, in the Dioceses of the United States, the first Sunday in October is Respect Life Sunday. Please remember that our Diocese is hosting the Respect Life Conference for the Dioceses of Florida on October 11 and 12. You can find further information about the conference in today’s bulletin.
Throughout the Catholic world, October is also Mission Month. Each year on the third Sunday of October, the Universal Church observes Mission Sunday. This year is a special one as Pope Francis has invited all Catholics to observe an Extraordinary Mission Month. In the letter that called for this observance, he wrote of his hopes that there would be “renewed fervor [in the] missionary transformation of the Church’s life and pastoral activity.”
The Church always carries on the Mission of Jesus Christ to bring the Gospel of salvation to all. In 1919, Pope Benedict XV invited Catholics to see the mission as one that would “transcend national boundaries and bear witness to God’s saving will for all.” Pope Francis is asking for renewed efforts by all of us in our times. With this in mind, the Pontifical Mission Societies asked the editors of Magnificat to publish a special edition for October 2019. We purchased additional copies which are available at the doors of the church. Please take one (1) per family so that we can ensure all families get a copy of this issue.
You’ll be edified by the mission-specific articles, the stories of the saints who were missionaries and the daily reflections that bring the work of being “missionary disciples” to daily life. And let us pray for the strength to be faithful missionaries in service to the Lord and His Church.
Love,
Father Tom