Do you know what’s “mission” in your life?

by Father Mark Goldasich

Their names — Njabini and Gatarakwa — are forever etched in my heart, even though it’s been over four decades since I was there. They were the first places where I served as a deacon, and I could not have asked for a better “training ground.”

Those exotic place names are two towns in the Diocese of Nyeri, Kenya, in East Africa. It’s too long a story to tell how exactly we — Deacon (now Father) Bob Kropac from the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio, and myself — were invited to serve there.

Anyway, after a few days spent with Jesuits in Cairo, Bob and I found ourselves outside the rectory in Njabini where an elderly lady greeted us in Italian with: “I speak neither English nor Kikuyu (the local language).” When I responded in Italian with, “But we speak Italian!” Her face lit up, she hugged us, invited us in and asked what we wanted to eat and drink.

The Italian woman’s name was Gemma; she was the aunt of one of the priests serving Njabini and came down during the summers to help. I served for six weeks in Njabini while Bob went to Gatarakwa, then we switched places for another six weeks.

To say we were welcomed and encouraged while there is an understatement. The Catholic Church in the diocese was only about 50 years old at the time and the enthusiasm for the faith there was electric. Masses were filled with spirited responses, vibrant music and joyful dancing.

That same fervent faith and incredible hospitality was found in the outlying mission stations that were served as well.  Those three months changed me. By American standards, these people had very little in terms of housing and material goods. But they were incredibly rich in faith, generosity and joy.

I mention all this in anticipation of World Mission Sunday that will be celebrated on Oct. 19 this year. Its theme for 2025 was proposed by the late Pope Francis: “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples.” We in the First World can primarily support hope in the missions by financial contributions. So please be as generous as possible.

Our support of the missions, however, should go beyond this one Sunday. Some ways to do that include:

• Pray regularly for fellow Catholics in mission territories that they continue to grow in faith and receive all they need in terms of housing, medical care, education and food.

• Pray for all who work in the missions, for their safety and for fruitfulness in their ministry.

• If you have an international priest serving your parish, ask him about his story, his country of origin, etc. Or make sure that you’re on hand when your parish holds a mission appeal during the summer to learn more about the universal church.

• Consider going on a mission trip, even as an adult. Encourage young people to consider participating in a mission trip; contribute to them financially to make it possible.

• Sponsor a child or adult in the missions through a charity like Unbound, Children International or Catholic Relief Services.

One Kenyan memory of note happened at a mission station where a young boy came up and pointed at me. When I asked the translator what he was saying to me in Kikuyu, he informed me that the boy was curious why I had two. Two? Looking in my shirt pocket, I saw what he was talking about. I had two pens while he had none. What a vivid reminder of the difference between the First and Third worlds.

That boy’s innocent call to share touched me deeply, changed my life and is something that I have never — and will never — forget. May we, the rich, never fail to see and help the Lazaruses of the world.