World Mission Sunday 2008

This Sunday, October 19. 2008 is World Mission Sunday. Organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, World Mission Sunday, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.

Here is Pope Benedict XVI's message for World Mission Sunday.

Let's pray this week for the Church's mission in the world and especially for part in it. As Pope Benedict XVI says, "Dear Brothers and Sisters, may the celebration of World Mission Day encourage everyone to take renewed awareness of the urgent need to proclaim the Gospel." And please pray for me!

St.Luke, pray for us.
St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us.
St. Francis Xavier, pray for us
St. Peter Claver, pray for us.

Keep praying for India and Vietnam

Things seem to be somewhat better in India and Vietnam. Let's continue to pray for them.

H/T to Mark Shea for the reminder.

Vietnam

Pray for a peaceful resolution to the trouble in Hanoi, Vietnam. More info from Whispers in the Loggia here and here.


This from the AP, Vietnam News Service and AsiaNews.It.

Since St. Joseph's Cathedral is near Thai Ha parish, let's ask for his intercession.

St. Joseph, pray for the Church in Vietnam.

UPDATE: Media is the same everywhere...

Orissa Update

Here is an update on Orissa. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, pray for us.

Orissa India

The Hindu-Christian violence continues in Orissa, India. A gag order has been placed on the Missionaries of Charity, story here. Another story from Catholic News Service. Let's pray for peace in this troubled region.

More on Myanmar

So what connection does Myanmar have to Yonkers, NY? According to Deacon Druding, priests from Myanmar come to St. Joseph's Seminary in Dunwoodie for advanced studies. They return to Myanmar and help the Church there by passing on what they've learned. Vince tells me the seminary in Yangon (Rangoon) Myanmar is named St. Joseph's! Yangon is also home to St. Mary's Cathedral. Myanmar also has shrines to Our Lady of Lourdes.

St. Joseph, pray for us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, pray for us.

On the Road to Mandalay

At the request of the Reverend Mr. Vince Druding, now a transitional Deacon, this week's mission prayer focuses on Myanmar, once known as Burma. You may recall that this name change has the distinction of being featured in and episode of "Sienfeld". J. Peterman tells Elaine that he is in Burma saying, "You most likely know it as Myanmar, but it will always be Burma to me."

Myanmar is ruled by a military junta that strongly opposes Christianity. The Christians in Myanmar are undergoing severe persecution, yet the Church is doing what it can.

Here's a bit of good news about cyclone relief efforts.