October 24th is World Mission Sunday. In 1926, Pope Pius XI established an annual collection for the missionary work of the Church worldwide called "World Mission Sunday." World Mission Sunday, organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, is a day set aside for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the Church's missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice. The day is celebrated in all the local Churches as the feast of catholicity and universal solidarity so Christians the world over will recognize their common responsibility with regard to the evangelization of the world. Pope Francis’ message for World Mission Sunday this year reflects on the theme: “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). This quote is a reminder that we are called to "do and serve," and not keep the blessings from God to ourselves. We definitely want to remember to pray for and support the work of missionaries throughout the world, but also, we must remember that we are missionaries right here where we are to the people around us. I think this is a good opportunity to remember our parish mission and vision, to reflect on it, and to pray for God’s grace for each of us to fulfill it. Of course, our mission doesn’t really ever change since our mission is the Church’s mission which Jesus gave us, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20) Our Parish Mission Statement: To be a community of faith that invites, inspires, educates, and leads people to know and love Jesus Christ, to understand and live their Catholic faith, to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel through love and service to one another, and to celebrate the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ while being faithful to the tradition of the Catholic Church, our history, and the community it serves. Our Parish Vision Statement: To grow as a community of faith, creating disciples of Christ who spread the Gospel through sacrificial love and service. But you might also consider what your personal mission statement is? Listening to God, who are you, and what are you about? What is God calling you to do at this time and place? For me, one thought that has consistently come up in my prayer is a very simple one, “to strive”. This word appears in the Gospel of Luke, “Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.” (Luke 13:24) Sometimes we have to strive or risk falling apart. If I do not have a difficult goal, one that makes me “strive”, I get lazy and slack off. All the more so in my faith! I find if I’m not really challenging myself and putting 110% effort in, I soon start rapidly to just fall apart. So my personal mission statement is pretty simple and easy: “Strive!” Consider doing something like this yourself. Pray and read the scriptures and see what God is giving you as a mission statement. A good mission statement comes from God and enflames something in our hearts. Perhaps we need to know our personal mission and then “strive” to live it out.