The Office for the Missions is called to activate within the diocese, programs of prayer, mission animation, and financial support for the worldwide missionary activity of the Church. Through education, the faithful are enabled to respond in a concrete way to this personal call to missions. In addition, the Office for the Missions encourages material and spiritual support for the global relief and development efforts of our Church. Finally, the Office for the Missions seeks to animate a spirit of evangelization among the faithful in the diocese and works to support the New Evangelization set forth by our Holy Fathers, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

These goals are carried our primarily through the following organizations and programs:

Pontifical Mission Societies

Missionary Childhood Association – Mission education and animation program for students in grades PreK -8

Society for the Propagation of the Faith – Support for the Universal Church celebration of World Mission Sunday

Society of St. Peter the Apostle – Support for mission vocations, primarily in Africa, Asia and Oceania

Missionary Plan of Cooperation – Support for the missions through direct appeals by visiting missionaries in every parish

Mass Stipends – Distribute Mass Stipends to retired priests and mission dioceses and priests

Catholic Relief Services

CRS Rice Bowl – official Lenten program of the US Catholic Church

CRS Rice Bowl Grants – support for local hunger-alleviation programs

Emergency Response – provide follow up for international emergency response as requested by the Bishop

Food Fast – Solidarity program for high school youth

Fair Trade, Advocacy, Global Solidarity, Work of Human Hands, Speakers' Tours and other CRS programming

Special Appeals Promotion and Follow Up

• Church in Latin America
• Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe
• Catholic Relief Services Collection
• Catholic Home Missions
• Solidarity Fund for Africa

Haitian Partnership

Coordinate and lead mission immersion trips to Jeremie, Haiti each year, depending on the political climate

Evangelization Activities

Resource to parishes interested in the New Evangelization

Global Solidarity Partnerships

Resource to parishes interested in exploring or strengthening sister parish relationships.