Abp. Aymond: All are called to reach out in prayer and sacrifice to children in need

Dear Young Church:

There is a very special event for the Young Church that will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21 at St. Dominic Church and School: All young people, through their schools or parish schools of religion, are invited to Children’s Mission Day for grades 4-7. The day will include Mass, food, games from around the world and mission awareness talks. The day is being sponsored by the Missionary Childhood Association of the Pontifical Mission Societies.

So, what is the Missionary Childhood Association?

It is an international organization that Catholic boys and girls join in order to learn more about the worldwide missionary work of the Church and share in that ministry. It offers prayers, financial gifts and sacrifices for those who live in the missionary parts of the world.

Because of COVID, we have not had a Children’s Mission Day since 2019, but we are happy to say that on Oct. 21, there will be a special event to which all of our young people are invited!

I remember visiting the missions when I was director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the Archdiocese of New Orleans. I had the opportunity to visit many countries in Central and South America, as well as Africa. I remember meeting many young people your age who did not have the basic necessities of life, some of whom had not even heard of Jesus.

One of the stories that I remember quite well was meeting a 6-year-old boy in the missions near Mexico. We asked him if he wanted to join us for lunch and he said, “No, I ate yesterday,” indicating that he did not have a meal every day. He did not have food for his body, but he also had not really heard of Jesus and was curious about getting to know him.

This young man, Alfredo, and others like him are those whom you can think about, pray for and get to know through the missionary activities that we hold in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

The missionary work of the Church gives each of us an opportunity to share our faith with them and help them obtain the necessities of life – the food and housing they need to grow as young people and become young adults.

Thank you for learning more about the missions. If you want to know more, you can call the Pontifical Mission Societies of the Archdiocese of New Orleans at (504) 527-5774; write to them at University of New Orleans Newman Center, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148; or email [email protected].

Wishing you God’s blessings and thanking you for having a big heart that is open to the missionary work of Christ,

I am a brother in Christ,

Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond
Archbishop of New Orleans