Pontifical Missions FAQ

Missions are the work of the Catholic Church around the world that equip young churches, poor churches and persecuted churches with the necessary infrastructure, human resources, education, and catechesis to enable Christians to mature in the life of faith. Missionaries help build seminaries, provide for theological faculty, and train seminarians and young religious women and men.

The Church is missionary by its nature. Jesus gave each baptized person a missionary assignment. That assignment is to help others know, love and serve God by baptizing and teaching in the name of the Trinity both locally and abroad. The diocesan Missions Office exists to support and promote the missionary life of the Church serving as the hub of the diocese for mission animation, education and awareness.

Through MCA, Catholic school teachers, religious educators, parents and youth ministers can help young people encounter and be in solidarity with members of the Body of Christ throughout our world. There are many seasonal resources and ideas for how young people can participate.

Parishioners fulfill the mission given to them as a baptized Catholic by participating in the mission to the world through their prayers, sacrifices, financial support and time volunteering​.

Parishes can participate in multiple ways. The primary means of contributing to the missionary work of the Church is World Mission Sunday, celebrated (by canon law) in every parish throughout the world on the next-to-last Sunday in October.

There are two primary and mandatory opportunities: participating in World Mission Sunday and the Missionary Cooperation Plan.

World Mission Sunday is the culmination of Universal Mission Month (the month of October). Local Churches together with all the faithful join with Catholics around the world in prayer and action to support the vitality and growth of the Church. The celebration of the Eucharist, programs of animation, and personal sacrifice all contribute to the good of the Church beyond local boundaries. Even the neediest dioceses offer what they can for the good of the Missions.

The Missionary Cooperation Plan was established, in this country, in 1930 as a means to help fledgling dioceses in developing countries to support pastors, parishes and evangelization. The MCP is known worldwide for promoting mission awareness and animation in parishes. On behalf of the Bishop Lohse, missionaries are invited to the diocese and assigned to speak in one or more (often three or four) parishes at all Masses on agreed-upon weekends. A special second collection is taken. This provides the faithful with an opportunity to be generous while informing and inspiring them with stories and experiences directly from the missions.