Missionary animation is a vital part in the life of missionary-oriented congregations like the Comboni Missionaries. Wherever we are, we ensure that we promote and intensify mission awareness among the local church. Precisely, this is who and what we are–mission promoters! Here in the Philippines, we are based in Sucat, Parañaque City, the center of our operations.
Our primary instrument for promoting mission awareness is by promoting World Mission magazine and other missionary literatures and sacramentals. World Mission magazine is a multi-awarded magazine recognized by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). For the past three (3) decades now, this magazine has covered several schools, parishes, chapels, shopping malls, and private offices. Several Comboni priests and brothers who worked as mission promoters have left a significant legacy, building friendship between the local church and us, Comboni missionaries
The pandemic hampered but did not halt the magazine’s circulation. The number of subscription went down significantly. But by God’s providence, the magazine remained afloat. As much as possible we want to reach many people and help them come to know our magazine. We are grateful to the Diocese of Parañaque for accommodating our annual promotion to almost all of its parishes. We also visit parishes from the Archdiocese of Manila, Dioceses of Cubao, San Pablo (Laguna), and Imus, Cavite.
MAKING MISSION PROMOTION EFFECTIVE
Securing a parish for the Sunday’s promotion of the magazine is extremely important. This is how we do it. First, we refer to our list and check the last time we did the appeal there. This helps us to determine the distribution of magazines and its subscribers.
Second, we prepare request letter for the parish seeking collaboration of the parish priest. We indicate the duration of the appeal respecting the suggested time limits. It is always beneficial if we are given the chance, the possibility to preside the Mass or to concelebrate. The people need to hear and to see us.
Third, our secretary will make a follow up phone call. Once approved, the boxes with the magazines and other printed materials are prepared.
We need help in making mission promotion effective. Our passionate lay volunteers assist us in terms of promotion, logistics, and marketing. We also provide them with missionary spiritual input and pilgrimage trips to strengthen our relationship with them and with the Lord.
As we stand in the pulpit to make our appeal, we underline these four elements; (1) each one of us baptized Catholics has the duty to make Jesus Christ known to people who don’t know Him yet; (2) that the magazine accompany them in their prayers and reflections; (3) that parents inspire their children to embrace missionary and religious life; (4) that by subscribing to World Mission magazine, they become mission partners assisting missionaries and seminarians in formation.
Basically, we share to people our experience of the mission. They need to hear how challenging it can be like leaving your country of origin and serving the people different from you, culturally, politically, socially etc. To serve the mission of Christ is no bed of roses at all. Once the people hear your mission testimonies then you can be sure of the enormous assistance they afford you because they want to take part in the mission of Christ as well.
Mission promotion is basically reminding the people of their baptismal vows: That they can actively take part in the mission of Christ through prayers, extending financial assistance, and subscription to our magazine. Some well-to-do churchgoers pledge their support by donating money, material goods, and human skills to help the mission and missionaries.
In our appeal, we urge the people to take a pro-active role in bearing witness to their faith in their respective parishes, schools, homes and other public places.
And lastly, the most exciting part is when we engage with the people, especially those who visit our tables. When you are face-to-face with them, the encounter becomes real and tangible because they start opening up and sharing the situation of their family, work, business, the demands of parenting, marital issues, loss of job, death, terminal illnesses, spiritual dryness and loss of respect towards the church leaders due to a series of scandals and anomalies etc.
MISSIONARY OF HOPE
For us missionaries, such encounters are unique. It reinforces your role as a missionary of hope in the lives of the people we meet every weekend. The past four (4) years has been a tremendous opportunity to meet people and to be of service to them through prayers.
One factor we cannot neglect is our ties with the local clergy and the religious serving in parishes. Mission promotion is to build a healthy rapport with them, creating a network of friends of the mission. This should not be neglected. So far, we are blessed to receive warm accolades from them.
