56 Mission Box

Mission Boxes

The Church is called to be missionary, which means, to proclaim the Gospel to those who do not believe in Christ. Every member of the Church should be united in this task. We are called to share the Gospel with those in our local community through what we say and how we behave. Our example may speak louder than words so that others see our way of life as followers of Jesus and want to find out more. At other times, we may be called to speak out about Jesus' teachings and example or the teachings of the Church. Some people dedicate their lives to missionary work in other countries where they bring the teachings of Jesus to those who haven't heard them through their love and care for others, their prayer life and by sharing the Gospels with them. The Church raises money to support missionaries in their work. One way to do this is through the APF (Association for the Propagation of the Faith) Red Mission Box. The boxes are kept in Catholic homes and money is collected in them. The money is sent to the APF and distributed to help bring God's love and hope to the poorest and most in need people throughout the world.

CCC 854 By her very mission, "the Church . . . travels the same journey as all humanity and shares the same earthly lot with the world: she is to be a leaven and, as it were, the soul of human society in its renewal by Christ and transformation into the family of God." 
...Missionary endeavor requires patience. It begins with the proclamation of the Gospel to peoples and groups who do not yet believe in Christ, continues with the establishment of Christian communities that are "a sign of God's presence in the world," and leads to the foundation of local churches. It must involve a process of inculturation if the Gospel is to take flesh in each people's culture. There will be times of defeat. "With regard to individuals, groups, and peoples it is only by degrees that [the Church] touches and penetrates them and so receives them into a fullness which is Catholic."