October 22, 2017 – World Mission Sunday

I.  “As the Father Sent Me, So I Send You”:  Jesus, of course, is “the very first and greatest evangelizer” (Paul VI, Evangelii Nuntiandi, 7), who continually sends us to proclaim the Gospel of the love of God in the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church is missionary by its very nature. If you are Catholic, you are a missionary. Our mission is to introduce other people to Jesus Christ, because we know the difference Jesus can make in our lives, in our living, in our joys and struggles. In a world marked by confusion, disappointment and frustration, and torn by numerous fratricidal wars that unjustly target the innocent, what is our responsibility as Christian believers? Today, October 22, is World Mission Day in parishes throughout the world. Am I an effective missionary?

II.  Don’t Miss Out On a Good Thing! This is the theme of the first night of our tri-parish mission: Live Fully for Jesus! October 23–25, 6:30-8:00, followed by refreshments. Our parish of Saint Stephen is the host for this first night in which everyone is invited, especially our youth. Don’t let any other commitment get in the way. Our mission speaker is Fr. John Judie, a vivacious speaker from the Archdiocese of Louisville. Invite your neighbors, friends, and family (active and inactive).

III. “When Did I See you Needy and Care For You? (Matthew 25)” Only four times a year–the fifth Sunday of the month–do we give everyone in the parish the opportunity to reach out through our St. Vincent de Paul ministry at the Cathedral. This collection will be next Sunday, October 29. You may also donate to SVdP online through WeShare. At present, our Vincent de Paul coffer is extremely low. “As long as you did it for one of these least ones, you did it for Me.” We are especially grateful for our parishioners who meet with the needy of our area one on one: Harry Bellew (president), Linda Beam, Peggy Bellew (Council liaison), Bob Berry, Bill Goetz, Richard Gruenewald, Bob Mahoney, Mary Ann Medley, Denise Payne, Steve Wathen, Florence Weider, and Bill Wright. Want to join this wonderful outreach? We need you!

IV.  Gratitude is the Language of the Heart: on Thanksgiving Day we ask you to bring groceries to the 8:00 a.m. Mass of Thanksgiving to restock our Cathedral Food Pantry.  Beginning next week, and every week leading up to Thanksgiving, you will have the opportunity to bring items to help five different outreach ministries in our community. Please refer to the Social Concerns News column in this bulletin for more details.

Respect Life Month