For several LA parishes, World Mission Sunday meant a focus on family

Several parishes in the San Fernando Pastoral Region of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles held a Family Mission Mass on Oct. 10 to mark World Mission Month. Organized by Deacon Douglas Zuniga in collaboration with the Pontifical Mission Societies of Los Angeles, the event took place at Santa Rosa de Lima Church in San Fernando and included participation from St. Didacus Church in Sylmar.

Zuniga, who serves as the regional coordinator for the San Fernando Pastoral Region, said the event aimed to show that mission work begins at home with families and neighborhoods rather than only through traveling to places like Africa or Asia. He noted that any area where the Gospel is needed serves as mission territory.

The local celebrations followed a message from Pope Leo XIV for the 100th World Mission Sunday on Oct. 18. In a video message, the Pope stated that every baptized Catholic has a unique role in the work of evangelization as a member of the body of Christ.