We Are All Called to Be Missionaries
Since his first public remarks, Pope Leo XIV not only calls the faithful to pray for peace, but also to be mindful of how to be “a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges… always open to receive (people)… with open arms – everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, and love.”
Last week in an audience of missionaries representing 120 countries he said, “Our world – wounded by war, violence, and injustice – needs to hear the Gospel message of God’s love and to experience the reconciling power of Christ’s grace.”
He spoke to the four Pontifical Mission Societies, noting that they are “the primary means of awakening missionary responsibility among all the baptized and supporting ecclesial communities in areas where the Church is young.”
Calling all of us to be “pilgrims of hope.”
• The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, “which provides aid for pastoral and catechetical programs, the building of new churches, healthcare, and educational needs in mission territories”
• The Society of the Holy Childhood, which provides support for Christian formation programs for children, in addition to caring for their basic needs and protection.
• The Society of Saint Peter the Apostle to “help cultivate missionary vocations, priestly and religious”
• The Missionary Union “committed to forming priests, religious men and women, and all the people of God for the Church’s missionary work.”
How can we be mindful missionaries?
One Opportunity is Rooted in MartinsburgThe St. John Bosco Children’s Fund (SJBCF) was established in 2013 by Hank and Kate Grimsland, parishioners at St. Joseph’s in Martinsburg. The couple had been doing missionary work since 2007in the Dominican Republic and also Haiti. They saw the struggles of children and families not only living in poverty, but also not being afforded the opportunity of an education to better their lives, future, and homeland.
The Grimlsands’s story was featured in the July 16, 2023 edition of the FaithInWV e-bulletin and republished in The Catholic Spirit.
“Just as we learned from the life of St. Teresa of Calcutta, who gave up everything to care for those who had no hope, we can make a difference like Christ if we just decide to focus and act – not just have good intentions – on helping even just one child,” Hank Grimsland said.
The SJBCF partners with Catholic educational institutions and provides education support in Haiti and the Dominican Republic for children in grades K-12, college, and even medical school.
From a recent medical school graduate in Haiti, shared on the SJBCF Facebook page:
“I am happy to share with you how the St. John Bosco Children’s Fund supported me during my medical studies.
After my father’s death, life became increasingly complicated. I was in my first year of medical school when my father passed away. I considered dropping out because I could no longer afford the cost of tuition. It was at that time that reached out to the St John Bosco Children’s Fund for help. The organization was wonderful and helped to continue my medical studies.
Today, I am a registered physician in Haiti. I would like to thank the St. John Bosco Children’s Fund for helping me to continue my studies despite the difficult situation in Haiti and with my family.
I give all the glory to God and will always be grateful to the Children’s Fund for helping me fulfill my calling.”
The SJBCF is currently supporting 58 students to attend Catholic schools in the Dominican Republic and Haiti: 14 primary and secondary school students in the DR, 24 primary and secondary school students in Haiti, and 10 college students in each country.
“We are so thankful to God for the privilege of helping these students escape the cycle of poverty,” Hank Grimsland said. “We are also thankful for the support of our generous donors. Without their support we could not do this work.
“In October 2024, I traveled to the DR to meet with many of the elementary, high school and college students that we support. The highlight of the trip was attending the college graduation ceremony of three of our sponsored students. These graduates now have the opportunity to fulfill their God-given purpose and make a positive impact on their families and community.”
Tragically it is too dangerous for him to travel to Haiti.
“The situation in Haiti is horrible,” he said. “According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, ‘Haiti faces a multidimensional crisis with continuing gang violence, mass displacement and severe humanitarian needs. Despite efforts toward stability, the situation remains dire, demanding urgent international solidarity.’ My hope and prayer is that God will use our new ‘missionary Pope’ along with leaders from other countries, in responding to the cry of the poor in Haiti.”
Last week, the Vatican News world news desk shared an article about the growing gang violence and poverty in Haiti. While Haiti has experienced a multidimensional crisis for decades, at the end of February 2024, gang violence in the country escalated and many are unable to leave their homes safely let alone attend school.
Vatican news on Haiti gangs and children article: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world.html
Upon the naming of Pope Leo XIV, the Grimlands were excited to see the Holy Spirit call and the world embrace a missionary as our Holy Father.
“We are delighted that God chose a missionary Pope,” he said. “Beginning with the commissioning of the disciples to ‘go into all the world’, our Church has been a missionary church. I like to think that the St. John Bosco Children’s Fund is, in a small way, fulfilling the great commission by helping disadvantaged children and young adults to be educated and catechized in the Catholic faith.”
To find out more about the SJBCF go to go to: https://sjbcf.org or email Hank at [email protected].
As Pope Leo XIV posted on his Instagram account, “Let us explore together how to be a missionary Church and serve communion and unity in charity and truth. Each of us contributes by carrying out our daily work with dedication and faith, for faith and prayer are like salt for food—they give it flavor.”
