Mission Sunday

Mission Sunday 2009, the theme for which was 'Reach Out', took place on Sunday 18^th October. In 2010 it will take place on Sunday 24^th October with the theme 'Together in Mission'. The collection, organised each year by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is a vital source of support for the 1100 Young Dioceses worldwide and 1,976 Irish Catholic missionaries currently working in over 80 countries throughout the world.

Over €2.5million was contributed to the collection by the Irish people in 2008. Since the turn of the millennium Ireland has donated over €20million to supporting the people of mission countries.

Mission Sunday gives us the chance to aid our brothers and sisters in mission countries through spiritual and material offerings. In essence, some give to the missions by going, others go to the missions by giving.

In making a preferential option for the poor, the Church works among the poorest people and often in dangerous circumstances. Over the last 100 years, over 800 Irish missionaries have died overseas. Of this figure, 49 have died violently in the service of mission. Many more have suffered but survived various forms of violence.