The mission of the Office of Global Mission is to provide a means by which the faithful of the Diocese of Toledo can fulfill their baptismal duty to “…make disciples of all nations…”  Through education and sharing their time and treasure with the poorest of the poor and by promoting missionary vocations and providing financial support for the missions, they participate in the “universal plan of God for salvation” of all.

For information, contact: Biff Rocha Director brocha@toledodiocese.org Diocese of Toledo 1933 Spielbusch Toledo, OH 43604-5360 419-244-6711

Global Mission News

Operation Rice Bowl (April 10, 2012) In solidarity with our Catholic schools throughout the Toledo Diocese, the employees of the Catholic Center participated in saving their loose change in cardboard rice bowls. These funds go to Catholic Relief Services to aid in missionary efforts and relief work around the globe.

Luncheon for Mission Appeals Speakers  (March 23, 2012) The priests, deacons and sisters who crisscross the diocese making appeals to the parishes on behalf of Catholic missionaries around the globe, gathered for an appreciation luncheon sponsored by the Office of Global Mission. The time was really more of a working lunch as the group planned and strategized on how to improve the outreach to the community, educating Catholics on missions and the New Evangelization.

Diocese Wide Fair Trade Sale (March 23, 2012) Chocolate, coffee and tea were some of the edible features of the Office of Global Mission’s Fair Trade sale. Parishes throughout the diocese were invited to the sale on the seventh floor of the Catholic Center, held just before Easter. Jewelry, scarves, purses, rugs, table runners, African carved utensils, candles, crafts and more were brought in from international artisans. The sale of these items helps subsidize the lives of people struggling to survive in third world countries. The Fair Trade sale was well attended and many Catholics returned to their homes with beautiful Easter gifts.

All of us are Catholic Christians because someone came to the land of our ancestors as a missionary of the Gospel and the Mission of Jesus Christ.  Patrick went to Ireland, Boniface went to Germany, and Cyril and Methodius went to the Slavic countries, to name a few.

Sometimes missionary activity brings the Gospel to a nation or a group which has not previously experienced the “Good News Of Jesus.” Sometimes the presence of missionaries from other countries remains there for a couple of generations to help the faith grow to where the people have a mature identity as Christians. Sometimes missionary activity must bring the Gospel to a place where it had been alive, but for some reason has been lost.  But always missionary activity is essential if we are to call ourselves Church.

St. Paul found that there were two keys to keeping his missionary activity going: prayer and financial support. When Pauline Jaricot had an idea, in 1822, for supporting missions, she asked the same two helps, prayer and alms. When her idea became the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, these two keys to propagating the faith remained. And for this we continue to give thanks.

We utilize Priests, Deacons and Religious Sisters to go out to our parishes to spread the word to our people about the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies through our Mission Sunday appeals. The people of the Diocese of Toledo have always been very generous in supporting the missions. Thank you for your continued support.