BY Martin Dunlop | October 25 | 
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Parishes live the Mission Sunday message
Catholics from across Scotland joined Faithful around the world in recommitting themselves to the missionary activities of the Church during World Mission Sunday at the weekend.
Earlier this year, and in preparation for World Mission Sunday—which is celebrated annually on the penultimate Sunday of October—Pope Francis said that it is ‘necessary to proclaim courageously and in every situation, the Gospel of Christ, a message of hope, reconciliation, communion, a proclamation of God’s closeness, His mercy, His salvation, and a proclamation that the power of God’s love is able to overcome the darkness of evil and guide us on the path of goodness.’
At Masses across the country on Sunday, Church parishioners heard a message from Fr Tom Welsh SX, national director of Mission Matters Scotland, the Scottish arm of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which supports 1100 missionary dioceses around the world.
“Your generosity makes it possible for missionaries, local priests, catechists and pastoral workers to reach out in the name of Christ to communities and children in desperate need,” Fr Welsh writes.
He also develops on the theme of the Holy Father’s 2013 Mission Sunday Appeal, which is inspired by the book of Jeremiah, in which the Lord declares: ‘Do not be afraid… I will rescue you.’
In this appeal, Fr Welsh writes, parishioners are invited to support the work of dedicated missionaries in India and throughout the world.
“In India, child trafficking and child labour is the reality for 12 million children. Every day countless young children are stolen from, or sold by, their families into domestic work and prostitution against their will. Many are also forced to become street beggars,” he says
Fr Welsh highlights the role of Salesian Sr Clara, who, with the support of the Pontifical Mission Societies, ‘works tirelessly throughout Chennai, India, to rescue young girls from this tragic reality and to provide them with a safe haven’ at a children’s home.
In the Vatican, Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon, secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, backed the Holy Father’s message for World Mission Sunday: “This love of God pushes us to give our adequate response, and also asks us to share our faith with our brothers and sisters.
Pic: Paul McSherry. Fr Bathgate with parishioners after last weekend’s World Mission Sunday Mass at Glasgow’s St Alphonsus’ Church.
—This story ran in full, with additional photographs, in the October 25 edition print of the SCO, available in parishes.
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