The Paterson Diocese in New Jersey celebrated a Jubilee of Missionaries on Oct. 19 at St. James of the Marches Parish in Totowa, N.J., as part of the diocese’s annual World Mission Sunday Mass. He led the diocese in thanking and praying for missionaries, priests, laity, and consecrated persons for spreading the Gospel around the world, including to the most vulnerable and impoverished.
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney was the main celebrant and homilist of the Mass. Concelebrating the liturgy were many priests, including Father Marc Mancini, pastor of St. James and a diocesan judicial vicar, as well as missionary priests who have served God’s people in countries around the world. Religious sisters from the diocese also attended.
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Mila Burdeos, diocesan mission director, coordinates the local World Mission Sunday Mass. The diocese, through the Mission Office, organizes activities to encourage and inspire the faithful to offer prayer and financial sacrifices to support the Church’s ongoing missionary works. A reception in the parish hall followed the Mass.
The Jubilee of Missionaries was among the many events the diocese has been hosting for the Universal Church’s Jubilee of Hope 2025.
World Mission Sunday was initiated in 1822 by Blessed Pauline Jaricot, who founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith 200 years ago. This organization serves as a network of prayer and coordinates the collection of pennies for missionaries. Her work led to World Mission Sunday, which helps the Pope support missionary activity. This universal fund provided help to the new and growing churches in the United States.
