World Mission Sunday

World Mission Sunday was instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926 as a mandatory, global collection to support areas of the world in need: places that have not heard the Gospel, are newly developing a Catholic presence, or are persecuted for their Catholic faith. Today there are 1,150 of such areas. The Pope hosts World Mission Sunday in the spirit of Jesus’s charge to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

Children’s participation in supporting the missions is especially emphasized in this celebration. In the Diocese of Brooklyn, students of Catholic Academies and Faith Formation programs are honored for their generosity through donations to the Missionary Childhood Association throughout the year.

This special mission Mass takes place every penultimate Sunday in October. The next World Mission Sunday will take place on October 19th, 2025.

I’ve never met a missionary who regretted being a missionary. They are always so joyful.

– Very Rev. Thomas Ahern, Diocesan Director
World Mission Sunday 2024 homily

In the Diocese of Brooklyn, Catholic Academies and Religious Education programs that donated to the Missionary Childhood Association are awarded for their selfless generosity. Below is coverage of the 2024 celebration:

Acknowledgments in 2024

Diocesan Highest Donor
St. Sebastian Catholic Academy

Brooklyn Highest Donor
St. Bernadette Catholic Academy

Queens Highest Donor
St. Sebastian Catholic Academy

Banner Award ($1,000+)
St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Academy

Certificates of Appreciation (any amount donated)
Incarnation Catholic Academy
St. Athanasius Catholic Academy
St. Ephrem Catholic Academy
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Academy
St. Matthias Catholic Academy
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Academy (Queens)
St. Joseph Religious Education (Astoria)
Immaculate Conception Religious Education (Jamaica)
Sacred Heart of Jesus Religious Education (Bayside)
St. Camillus-St. Virgilius Religious Education
St. Rose of Lima Religious Education (Brooklyn)
St. Pius X Religious Education
St. Mary Gate of Heaven Religious Education