Pontifical Missions

The Diocesan Mission Office exists to support and promote the missionary life of the Church serving as the hub of the diocese for mission animation, education and awareness. Following Bishop Lohse’s example and direction, we respond to Pope Leo’s invitation “to rekindle in ourselves the awareness of our missionary vocation, which arises from the desire to bring the joy and consolation of the Gospel to everyone, especially those who are experiencing difficult and painful situations.”
 
There are territories where the Church is too young and incapable of actively sustaining itself because it is too poor or persecuted. It is the privilege of this office to work with each parish collaborative to connect to the universal church of which they are also a member. Often wrapped up in our local problems, we forget that Christ told us to go out into the world and spread the Good News.

Further, the Diocese of Kalamazoo is a mission diocese, and, as such, we receive assistance from religious orders to help us minister to our people. Therefore, let us be mindful that we are part of a larger Church community and that we, too, must reach out to help the Church to grow and flourish.

The two primary ways the Diocese of Kalamazoo promotes missions is World Mission Sunday and the Missionary Cooperation Plan. Following Bishop Lohse’s decree, any extern member of the clergy or any member of an institute of consecrated life or society of apostolic life, intending to make an appeal within our diocese must receive written permission from their own ordinary as well as prior written permission from either the Bishop of Kalamazoo or from the Director of this office.