How you can change the world

“I dream of a ‘missionary option,’ that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” – Pope Francis

The Pope is quoted from an exhortation called The Joy of the Gospel, in an aptly-named section, “The Church’s Missionary Transformation”. The Pontiff encourages local parishes to devote their energies to missionary conversion?reaching out of their comfort zone for the greatest in need. Action and service reward us with “a constant desire to go forth” and “elicit a positive response from all those whom Jesus summons to friendship with him.” A missionary impulse keeps the Church in touch with people, adaptive to their lives and needs, and invigorates the entire community.

Francis notes that the Church is also enriched if local parishes can integrate in various ways with active organizations that evangelize in different places. Ever since the Haiti earthquake in 2010, the Parish Bulletin has familiarized readers with the operations of Catholic Relief Services and how they respond to victims of tragedy around the world.

CRS was started in 1943 by the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) to help World War II survivors in Europe. Today, the agency serves in over 100 countries, promoting the dignity of the human person through service to the impoverished and disadvantaged.

Thanks to your interest and contributions, CRS stays at the forefront of relief aid, humanitarian development, and social justice. With our new monthly feature, I Am A Mission, we will review CRS initiatives and show how you can join their programs. You can also learn more about this vital agency and consider choosing a project to support at CRS.org. This week’s mission focus coincides with their work during Poverty Awareness Month.