The celebration of World Mission Sunday was a significant event in the Catholic Church. It was a celebration in union with all missionaries throughout the world. It was a moment of being grateful for all missionaries who ardently offer their lives in proclaiming the Gospel.

Last October 17, 2010, The Pontifical Mission Societies celebrated the World Mission Sunday at the Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila. The said Mass was officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Gaudencio Rosales, DD. Together with him was  Fr. Socrates Mesiona, MSP, the National Director of (PMS).

Read more: WORLD MISSION SUNDAY: OCTOBER 17, 2010

The month of October is not only the month of the rosary but of the mission as well. 

To highlight the month allotted for the mission, 1,500 youth representatives from different Catholic schools, parishes, communities and youth organizations in Metro Manila and nearby provinces gathered at the Ateneo de Manila University high school covered courts at Loyola Heights, Quezon City last October 9. The overall theme of the gathering was “Nurturing the Family for the Mission.”

The event started with the celebration of the holy Eucharist with Fr. Socrates Mesiona, PMS National Director, as the main presider. Other priests who joined him were: Fr. James Kroeger, MM (missiologist), Fr. Alex Abiera (Mission Director of the Archdiocese of Manila), Fr. Lauro Toledo (Mission Director of the Diocese of Caloocan), Fr. Nilo Pacuribot (MSP Mission Promotion Director) and Fr. Polash Gomes (Mission Director of the Diocese of Novaliches) who arrived when the mass was already starting.  

Anthony and Tina Rodriguez of Couples for Christ International and Stephen Borja of the Episcopal Commission on Youth were the guest speakers. Anthony and Tina shared their remarkable and inspiring experience as missionaries working in East Timor. Allan picked up the sharing of Anthony and Tina and challenged the youths to open their hearts to the call for mission. The response of the participants was expressed in art work containing their commitments to do their share for the mission.

Read more: Celebrating the Mission Month

The ball, which was organized by the Episcopal Commission on Mission of the CBCP, was a much-needed and long overdue effort to gather all the Catholic lay missionary groups for some honest to goodness fellowship. Despite coming from various groups, missionaries, collaborators and friends had a lot of shared fun that night with stellar performances from Top Susara, Mayumi and Makisig Morales, popular singing groups 29 A.D. Musicionaries, Hangad and Bukas Palad and of course, the inspiring Minnie Juan, who talked about how she overcame her blindness through faith

Later on in the night, Fr. James Kroeger, MM, one of the top missiologists in the country, gave a 20-minute refresher on missionary leadership. Fr. Kroeger, who also teaches at the Ateneo, talked about how missionaries should have a capacity for solitude and should know their boundaries when serving people. He stressed that ultimately, evangelizing is about befriending people, simply being friends with other. In ending, Fr. Kroeger quoted Mother Theresa by saying that missionaries are just people who do not necessarily love in extraordinary ways; they are just people who love without getting tired. 

The highlight of the evening had to be when the missionaries started doing a train dance on the dance floor as the 29 A.D. sang an 80’s medley of hits like Buttercup, Mama Mia, and Achy Breaky Heart. Nearly everyone was dancing and getting goofy; no one really wanted to go home. The audience was also particularly blown away by the group’s version of Don’t Stop Believing á la Glee.

Read more: Missionaries on the dance floor