An essential feature of World Mission Sunday is its demonstration, through prayer and the sharing of financial and other resources, how all Churches - regardless of their size and condition – can assist other Churches in need of assistance.

The theme of this year’s observance All the Churches for All the World seeks to capture this call to universal commitment.

The need for all dioceses of the world to come to a greater awareness of this responsibility, to be willing to suffer discomfort and to make sacrifices – like Moses with his arms outstretched to bring victory to Israel’s army against the Amalekites – is as urgent now as it ever was.

Pope Benedict XVI in this year’s message marking this day noted that in the Western world the advance of secularism, the crisis of the family, decreasing numbers of vocations and the ageing clergy can be temptations to pull back and turn inward.

“These Churches,” he said, “are in danger of focussing only on themselves, looking with less hope to the future and slackening in their missionary endeavour”.

But, he stressed, “Now is the time to open with confidence to the providence of God who never abandons his people and guides them with the power of the Holy Spirit”. What is it, though, that will make one Church throw in its lot with the rest – unselfishly?

The breadth and excitement that the phrase “All the Churches for All the World” suggests, will only be achieved and sustained as the Church at grass root level in its small communities of faith, and among its individual membership, is touched with the same passion, through and through.

‘Catch the fire’

What will cause us to reach out in solidarity from one nation to another, from one part of the world to another and, indeed, from one parish to another? The answer must be Christ.

But, St Paul asks, “how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher”? He adds, “faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ” (Romans 10: 14-17).

In the Second Reading from today’s liturgy, Paul says: “I put this duty to you, in the name of his appearing and of his kingdom: proclaim the message and, welcome or unwelcome, insist on it” (2 Timothy 4:2).

The mandate is given to all baptised Christians. Recently, Archbishop Edward Gilbert while speaking at the National Catechetical Rally acknowledged the “important ministry” of catechists that calls them to reach out to the “unchurched, untouched, uncared for”.

He expressed his gratitude for what they do, but called them to give even more. Certainly, catechists, persons involved in the evangelising ministry and other forms of pastoral ministry do have a special responsibility. But, we stress, all have been charged with the
responsibility, all must “catch the fire”.

If the Church is to fulfil its mission abroad and at home it will need the resources with which to do so – both human and financial. The view is often expressed that more than adequate resources do exist among the membership of the local Church to satisfy the needs of the Church.

As the Archdiocese looks to its transformation, it will need to find new sources of funding. As it attempts to promote its work in the coming months it will need the consistent support of the faithful and, in particular, the Catholic business community.