Sunday, August 10, 2025 – The Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today is our “Mission Sunday” and we welcome Reverend Patryk Reczek to our parish and to listen to his missionary efforts in our world today. Both Father Mike and I encourage and, in advance, thank you for your support of Father Reczek and his ministry.
To be in mission does not necessarily mean going to the far reaches of the globe to assist those in need. Mission can be defined as a simple local outreach to people or a given cause. It can be formal (organizational) or a personal effort. So, I pose the question, what is your missionary work? Such efforts do not need to be full-time and need not interfere with your daily careers and responsibilities. It can be as time consuming or sporadic given your cause. It all comes down to what you feel you are called to.
As a parish in the Marianist tradition, all of us, both lay and religious are called to mission. In the Marianist General Chapter document A Man Who Does Not Die: In Mission With The Marianist Family (July 2018) it states:” The laity are companions on the way, not substitutes for the religious.” In a previous sentence the document states, “Our way of sanctification, and prophetic witness, are manifest through our mission. With joy and deep gratitude we see that the Marianist mission is very much alive in the world, growing and developing in a rich variety of expressions” (p.9). This mission calls us to be “first disciples,” like Mary, called to make Jesus Christ known, loved, and served. And as just said, this comes about through numerous expressions and methods. In what ways do you want to show that the Good News is alive and can offer a hopeful message in your surroundings? In rather simplistic terms, how do you “light the candle” to show that the light of Christ which has come into the world does and still burns brightly?
Father Chaminade said that we are all missionaries—and in our time, it is truly “all hands on deck.” Our world has and continues to cry out for help, direction, and meaning. We all have the opportunity and call to be in mission. You may want to continue or enhance something you are already doing or begin exploring some action/activity you may have been thinking about. The sky is the limit and reaching for the sky is more needed today than ever, many of our brothers and sisters are crying out for it.