Friday October 16th 2026 Established 1905 27 Brickdam, Stabroek, Georgetown, Guyana Year 121, No. 40
well from lung cancer surgery, resumes work
Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass on the 10th floor at Rome's Gemelli Hospital Oct. 16, 2026, following his cancer surgery Oct. 13. (OSV News photo/Vatican Media)
Pope Leo XIV met with a top aide Oct. 15 and resumed working from hospital, as doctors reported his lung had recovered well from surgery to remove a cancerous nodule. Pope Leo’s post-operative tests remained within normal levels and his physiotherapy session involved full mobility exercises, with the Pope going about his daily activities independently, said the update from his personal doctor, Luigi Carbone, and the head of thoracic surgery at Gemelli hospital, Stefano Margaritora. “The chest X-ray revealed good recovery of the operated lung,” they reported. “Overall, his postoperative recovery is proceeding as expected.” Separately, the Vatican said Pope Leo had received the Vatican chief of staff, (please turn to page 2)
As Pope Leo recovers, beware fake photos - p2 Message for the 100th World Mission Day - p3 Prayer for World Mission Sunday 2026 - p3 A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4 Sunday Scripture - p5 Catholics increase worldwide as number of priests edges upward - p6 Pope calls Putin from hospital urging ceasefire, aid to starving Ukrainians - p7 Bishops conclude Vatican family meeting as Pope Leo XIV recovers in hospital - p8 Children’s Page - p9 Growing in Grace Week 96 - p10 Faith in Practice Week 36 - p11 World Mission Sunday has ‘borne fruit in my own life,’ says Pope Leo - p12 The Rosary Trail - p14
Bishop’s Engagements Sunday, October 18th 7:00hrs – Mass and Sacrament of Confirmation at St. John the Baptist, Plaisance Monday, October 19th 18:30hrs – European Union Classical Music Concert at St. George’s Cathedral Wednesday, October 21st 18:00hrs – Embassy of Mexico Day of the Dead Celebration at the National Cultural Centre. Sunday, October 25th 8:00hrs – Mass at Church of the Ascension, New Amsterdam 10:15hrs – Mass at Guardian Angels, Hopetown
Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB and the priests of the Diocese after the Closing Mass of the Annual Clergy Conference, Friday October 9th 2026. ❖ (photo: Catholic Media Guyana)
Francis Alleyne OSB
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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As Pope Leo recovers, (Aleteia) - A photo appearing to show a young Robert Francis Prevost smoking a cigarette has circulated on social media in recent days. However, I.MEDIA has discovered that the image was created by editing a real photograph. On October 13, 2026, Pope Leo XIV underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, which contained a cancerous tumor. Asked whether the Pope had smoked in the past, the Holy See Press Office said it had no information on the matter. One of the first to share the doctored image was an account on X. The account also drew a connection between the Pope's hospitalization and a video in which he encouraged the faithful to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The video was published during the pandemic, when he was bishop of Chiclayo, Peru.
The original photo on the left, versus the doctored image on the right, which includes a cigarette (Credit: © I.MEDIA/CD) official Vatican news outlet identified it as a photo taken on the day of Prevost's priestly ordination.
AI-generated images of the No cigarette in the original Pope in the hospital photo Numerous images are also I.MEDIA tracked down the original version of the same photograph without the cigarette. The Pope's brother, John Prevost, had provided it to the American newspaper The Virginian-Pilot on May 8, 2025, the day Leo XIV was elected pope. The same unaltered photograph appeared in a November 10, 2025, article by journalist Salvatore Cernuzio on Vatican News. The
circulating on social media of the Holy Father in his hospital bed. In some, he wears an oxygen mask or nasal cannula; in others, he smiles, waves, or gives a thumbs-up. The Vatican only just Friday released photographs of Pope Leo XIV post surgery -- they are images of him celebrating Mass at Gemelli Hospital. Images circulating online that purport to show him in his hospital bed
are thus not Vatican photos; those reviewed by Aleteia to date appear to have been generated using AI. As AI-generated images become increasingly convincing, we need to be cautious about the authenticity of photos of public figures in general, and the Pope in particular. Before sharing a photo online, a simple way to confirm its authenticity is by taking a look at Vatican News. From the announcement of the surgery made to the entire world, the Holy Father has shown a great willingness to be very open about his health, and the Vatican News site is the most likely to have his actual statements and images.❖
Year of St. Francis Pope Leo recovering Jubilee Prayer well from lung cancer Saint Francis, our brother, you who eight hundred years ago went to meet Sister Death as a man at peace, intercede for us before the Lord. You recognized true peace in the Crucifix of San Damiano, teach us to seek in Him the source of all reconciliation that breaks down every wall. You who, unarmed, crossed the lines of war and misunderstanding, give us the courage to build bridges where the world raises up boundaries.
In this time afflicted by conflict and division, intercede for us so that we may become peacemakers: unarmed and disarming witnesses of the peace that comes from Christ. Amen - Pope Leo XIV
surgery (From Front Page)
or “substitute”, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, and had resumed working from the hospital. Archbishop Rudelli handles much of the day-to-day administrative work of the Holy See. For a second day, Pope Leo celebrated Mass with other priests in a special chapel set up near his room on the 10th floor of the hospital, spokesman Matteo Bruni said. The 71-year-old Pope had the lower right lobe of his right lung removed on Oct. 13 after doctors identified a suspected cancerous nodule. The surgery confirmed he had adenocarcinoma, the most common type of lung cancer. Doctors are still awaiting the results of tests to understand the precise molecular makeup of the cancer, whether it has spread beyond the lobe and whether any further treatment is necessary.
Asked if any changes to Pope Leo’s planned trip to South America from November 6-17 were expected, Mr Bruni pointed to Pope Leo’s words on Sunday when he announced the discovery of the nodule and impending surgery. “Thank you for your prayers for the pastoral visit I will make to Peru,” Pope Leo said Sunday in Spanish, in a greeting delivered to a Peruvian group. The trip is also scheduled to include stops in Uruguay and Argentina. World and religious leaders around Friday October 16th marks the fifth the world have offered prayers for death anniversary of Catholic Standard the pope, and an estimated 130,000 Editor Mr. Colin Smith, who passed pilgrims gathered at Portugal's away on Saturday October 16th 2021 Fatima shrine to pray for him on the at the age of 70. eve of the 109th anniversary of Mr. Smith was the first lay person Mary's final apparition at the site. appointed editor of the Standard, and was the second-longest serving editor, (CathNews and OSV News).❖ having served for 25 years. May his soul continue to rest in peace.❖ , heal Earth, pope says
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 100th WORLD MISSION DAY 2026
Prayer for World Mission Sunday 2026 October 18th 2026
MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE LEO XIV FOR THE 100th WORLD MISSION DAY 2026 [18 October 2026]
One in Christ, united in mission Dear brothers and sisters, For World Mission Day 2026, which marks the centenary of a celebration established by Pius XI that is very dear to the Church, I have chosen the theme “One in Christ, united in mission.” Following the Jubilee Year, I wish to encourage the whole Church to continue its missionary journey with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit. This requires hearts united in Christ, reconciled communities and, in everyone, a willingness to cooperate with generosity and trust. As we reflect on being one in Christ and united in mission, let us allow ourselves to be guided and inspired by divine grace, “to renew in ourselves the fire of our missionary vocation” and advance together in the commitment to evangelization, in this “new missionary age” in the history of the Church (Homily, Jubilee of the Missionary World and of Migrants, 5 October 2025).
1. One in Christ – Missionary disciples united in him and with our brothers and sisters The mystery of union with Christ lies at the heart of mission. Before his Passion, Jesus prayed to the Father, “that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us” (Jn 17:21). These words reveal Jesus’ deepest desire, as well as the identity of the Church as a community of his disciples. That is, a communion that flows from the Trinity, and continues to be sustained by the Trinity. A communion at the service of fraternity among all human beings and harmony with all creation. Being a Christian is not primarily about practices or ideas; it is a life in union with Christ, in which we share in his
filial relationship with the Father in the Holy Spirit. It means abiding in Christ, like branches on the vine (cf. Jn 15:4), immersed in the life of the Trinity. This union gives rise to mutual communion among believers and is the source of all missionary fruitfulness. Indeed, just as Saint John Paul II taught, “communion represents both the source and the fruit of mission” (Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici, 32). In this context, the Church’s primary missionary responsibility is to renew and sustain spiritual and fraternal unity among its members. In many situations, we encounter conflicts, polarization, misunderstandings and a lack of mutual trust. When this occurs even within our communities, it undermines our witness. The evangelizing mission that Christ entrusted to his disciples requires, above all, hearts that are reconciled and eager for communion. Consequently, it is important to intensify ecumenical efforts with all Christian Churches, building upon the opportunities arising from the joint celebration of the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. Last but not least, being “one in Christ” calls us to keep our gaze fixed on the Lord, so that he may truly be at the center of our lives and communities, the center of every word, action and interpersonal relationship, leading us to say with amazement: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20). By constantly listening to his word and through the grace of the Sacraments, it will be possible for us to become living stones in the Church. Today, the Church is called to take up the fundamental themes of the Second Vatican Council and the subsequent Papal Magisterium, in particular that of Pope Francis. In fact, as Saint Paul says, “we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Cor 4:5). For this reason, I reiterate the words of Saint Paul VI: “There is no true evangelization if the name, the teaching, the life, the promises, the kingdom and the mystery of Jesus of
Nazareth, the Son of God are not proclaimed” (Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi, 22). This process of genuine evangelization begins in the heart of every Christian in order to reach all of humanity. Therefore, the more united we are in Christ, the better able we will be to carry out together the mission that he entrusts to us.
2. United in mission – That the world may believe in Christ the Lord The unity of disciples is not an end in itself; it is directed towards mission. Jesus states this clearly: “So that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17:21). It is through the witness of a reconciled, fraternal and united community that the proclamation of the Gospel acquires its full communicative power. From this perspective, it is worth recalling the motto of Blessed Paolo Manna, “The entire Church for the conversion of the whole world,” which succinctly expresses the ideal that inspired the establishment of the Pontifical Missionary Union in 1916. On its 110th anniversary, I convey my gratitude and my blessing for its commitment to inspiring and forming the missionary spirit of priests, consecrated persons and lay faithful, promoting the unity of all evangelizing efforts. In fact, no baptized person is exempt from or indifferent to mission: everyone, each according to their own vocation and condition of life, participates in the great work that Christ has entrusted to his Church. As Pope Francis repeatedly reminded us, proclaiming the Gospel is an action that is always harmonious, communal and synodal. For this reason, unity in mission means safeguarding and nurturing the spirituality of communion and missionary cooperation. By daily fostering this attitude, divine grace gradually teaches us to see our brothers and sisters through the eyes of faith. We also learn to recognize joyfully the good that the (please turn to page 10)
Father, make us one in Christ, rooted in his love that unites and renews. May all members of the Church be united in mission, docile to the Holy Spirit, courageous in bearing witness to the Gospel, proclaiming and daily embodying your faithful love for all creatures. Bless all missionary men and women, support them in their efforts, and watch over them in hope. Mary, Queen of Missions, accompany our work of evangelization in every corner of the earth: make us instruments of peace, and grant that the whole world may recognize in Christ the light that saves. Amen POPE LEO XIV
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
A Christian Perspective on Social Issues
Cancer strikes close By GHK Lall again From the home to the Church. From the heart now to the head. From the past to the present. The common thread is cancer; in all of its clawing forms. I have had some familiarity with cancer over the last two decades. A little too much for my liking. A spouse. A mother before. A motherin-law afterwards. Good friends lost too many times, here and abroad. In some ways, cancer is the equivalent of one of those dreadful ancient plagues read about from the Bible or secular history. A plague where people drop like flies. Not for a period, but for a season that doesn’t seem to have an end. Now it’s Pope Leo XIV’s turn. Lung cancer, a piece of one lung removed. May his recovery be full. May his energies with the duty associated with his vicarage be back to normal in no time. Into thine hands, O Lord, we commend his care and healing. It seems that cancer is always around. Either, I am close to it. Or, it’s right by me. In the latter instance, that can be taken literally. A physical structure that patients go to for treatment; a place I used to lend some time, only for that other plague COVID-19 to knock that out of circulation. A week
passes, maybe a month. The word comes in strangled whispers. Heard about John or Mary? Stage IV! Sent home. Can’t do more. Breast cancer and prostate cancer are like hail. They just keep pelting, their effects hurting. Victims who never drew on a cigarette -cancer of the lung. Those who lived blandly, exercised well, paid attention to all the recommendations, only to get hit by a hammer in the head. Numbers high. Malignant. Advanced. There’s that vocabulary that produces a chill. Been near to them. Radiation is a piece of cake, aside from some burning. Chemotherapy is the dog that bites and whose poisons spread. The cure is worse than the condition. Been near to that slasher so often I have lost count. Hell on earth. A pain all over. A punch that is like a horse kick; one that lasts longer, leaves more damage. An ordeal that I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Now the head of the Roman Catholic Church, over a billion members, is the latest high-profile stricken. Cancer has no favorites, it has no respect for man, woman, child, high places, the wellheeled, the heavyweights. Nor is there time or compassion for the impoverished, the already wretched by manmade diseases. Pope Leo’s fight with this big-hitter of a disease will be closely followed. He now stands as a symbol of resistance. A leader who must live the faith. One tested, but who by grace can be bigger than the trial, an inspiration to countless others. The coverage is sure to be continual. The faithful would want to know, to be kept in the loop. Their prayers offered. Their faith justified. God glorified in the struggle of his humble and devoted. Pope Leo has shown that he is a fighter. He has faced big giants and
reduced them to driftwood. This leader of the Roman Catholic Church is not one to thrown in the towel. He will win this wrestling match with cancer. He will be an inspiration for all those who struggle with major ailments, live with pain. My ongoing concern is when a cure for this disease that destroys the bodies of male and female will be found. Like diabetics and their daily dread of testing sugar levels with needles, so those victimized by cancer, and pounded by the throes of chemo. Lord God, Almighty Father, as part of my prayer, help the scientists to find that elusive cure that would bring so much relief to the hurting and the frightened. May faith be strengthened by adversity. May Pope Leo XIV make a full recovery, resume his God-given ministry.❖
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Prayer for our Priests
Gracious and loving God, we thank your for the gift of our priests. Through them, we experience your presence in the sacraments. Help our priests to be strong in their vocation. Set their souls on fire with love for your people. Grant them the wisdom, understanding, and strength they need to follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Inspire them with the vision of your Kingdom. Give them the words they need to spread the Gospel. Allow them to experience joy in their ministry. Help them to become instruments of your divine grace. We ask this through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns as our Eternal Priest. Amen
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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FIRST READING Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6 I have taken Cyrus by his right hand to subdue nations before him.. Thus say the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, who he has taken by his right hand to subdue nations before him and strip the loins of kings, to force gateways before him that their gates be closed no more. It is for the sake of my servant Jacob, of Israel my chosen one, that I have called you by your name, conferring a title though you do not know me. I am the Lord, unrivalled; there is no other God besides me. Though you do not know me, I arm you that men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun that, apart from me, all is nothing. RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 96 Response: Give the Lord glory and power. 1. O sing a new song to the Lord, sing to the Lord all the earth. Tell among the nations his glory and his wonders among all the peoples. 2. The Lord is great and worthy of praise, to be feared above all gods; the gods of the heathens are naught. It was the Lord who made the heavens. 3. Give the Lord, you families of peoples, give the Lord glory and power, give the Lord the glory of his name. Bring an offering and enter his courts. 4. Worship the Lord in his temple. O earth, tremble before him. Proclaim to the nations: “God is king.” He will judge the peoples in fairness. SECOND READING Thessalonians 1: 1-5 We constantly remember your faith, your love and your hope. From Paul, Silvanus and Timothy, to the Church in Thessalonika which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; wishing you grace and peace.
We always mention you in our prayers and thank God for you all, and constantly remember before God our Father how you have shown your faith in action, worked for love and persevered through hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. We know, brothers, that God loves you and that you have been chosen, because when we brought the Good News to you, it came to you not only as words, but as power and as the Holy Spirit and as utter conviction.
Gospel Acclamation Jn 17: 17 Alleluia, alleluia! Your word is truth, O Lord, consecrate us in the truth. Alleluia! Or
Phil 2: 15-16
Alleluia, alleluia! You will shine in the world like bright stars because you are offering it the word of life. Alleluia!
Today’s readings encourage us Christian stewards to always be mindful of who we are and Whose we are in every aspect of our lives. Jesus reminds us of this truth in our Gospel passage today as He cleverly puts the Pharisees in their place during their attempt to verbally entrap Him. They ask Him whether it is lawful to pay the tax to Caesar. But the Pharisees were thinking small. Christ, on the other hand, thinks big.
GOSPEL Matthew 22: 15-21 Give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God. The Pharisees went away to work out between them how to trap Jesus in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him, together with the Herodians, to say, “Master, we know that you are an honest man and teach the way of God in an honest way, and that you are not afraid of anyone, because a man’s rank means nothing to you. Tell us your opinion, then. Is it permissible to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” But Jesus was aware of their malice and replied, “You hypocrites! Why do you set this trap for me? Let me see the money you pay taxes with.” They handed him a denarius, and he said, “Whose head is this? “Whose name?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. He then said to them, “Very well, give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar – and to God what belongs to God.” ❖
We all know how the story goes. Christ asks to see the coin that pays the tax and has them state whose image is on it. They of course, reply, “Caesar.” In response Christ tells them to “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.” With that, He reminds us that while civil authorities should be obeyed, we answer to an infinitely higher Authority, God, Who is Lord of
everything and everyone. All things and all people were created by God. In Baptism we have been claimed for Christ. Our lives are a gift from God and we have the privilege and responsibility to use every aspect of our lives in grateful response to Him. Let us joyfully give thanks to this wonderful God by the way we live our daily lives. We belong to Him and there is no other! ❖ [www.catholicsteward.com/blog/ ]
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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Gospel Catholics increase worldwide as number of priests edges upward Reflection
There is a tendency to interpret today’s Gospel passage as suggesting that there is no place for politics in the Christian life. Governments are necessary but they are separate and apart from spiritual matters. The two just do not mix. While this is a common interpretation it is not necessarily the correct one. The Christian just cannot separate his religion from his life in the world. The two not only mix, they are inseparable. Jesus did not respond to the trap by choosing one over the other. His approach was to put the two areas of life together but in their proper perspective. The Gospel, then, is a call to unity. While division is easy to bring about, unity requires work in all areas of life, in the political and social circles and in our everyday relationships as well. I must ask myself constantly if I am a person of unity or division. We need to look at situations in our own lives where we could be divisive and where it is necessary to foster unity.
Jesus presents a hard question for us to consider because what exactly belongs to Caesar and what belongs to God is not quite clear at all times. We have to work out for ourselves the relationship between our religious and political loyalties. We must always consider this relationship because for the Christian there is no separation of our spiritual life from our social life. Our religion is not something we practise on Sunday and forget for the rest of the week. If we do, we are not being true to our sense of discipleship which finds expression in our everyday life. ❖ [From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]
Vietnamese Catholics attend the beatification of Fr. Francis Xavier Truong Buu Diep on July 2, 2026 (AFP or licensors) (Vatican News) - Ahead of World Mis- continent, led by Africa, with 7.58 mil- Women religious declined by 9,292 to sion Sunday, the Vatican’s Fides news lion more Catholics, and the Americas, 580,131. Africa was the only continent agency releases the 2026 Church Statis- with 6.99 million more. Asia gained to register an increase in religious tics report, recording a rising number of 968,000, Europe 911,000, and Oceania sisters, gaining 2,190, while Europe recorded the largest decline, of 6,473. Catholics on every continent, more 239,000. priests, and fewer religious sisters and The Americas remained home to the The number of major seminarians fell major seminarians. largest number of Catholics, at 678.87 by 2,891 to 103,604. Only Africa saw The number of Catholics worldwide million. Africa, with 288.31 million, growth, with 786 more seminarians; rose by 16.69 million to 1.422 billion, counted slightly more Catholics than Asia registered the sharpest fall, of according to the Catholic Church Statis- Europe’s 287.24 million. Asia had 2,733. Minor seminarians numbered tics 2026 dossier prepared by the Vati- 156.17 million and Oceania 11.56 mil- 94,041, down 980. lion. can’s Fides News Agency. Lay mission and service The number of priests also increased Priests rise slightly; seminari- Lay missionaries increased by 18,473 to slightly, while the totals for women reli- ans decline 463,079, while catechists rose by gious and major seminarians continued “For the first time in five years, there is 22,370 to 2,889,336. The largest gains to fall. an increase in the total number of among lay missionaries were in the Fides prepared the dossier for the priests in the world,” the Fides dossier Americas; catechist numbers grew most 100th World Mission Sunday, to be cel- says. in the Americas and Asia. ebrated on October 18 under the The Church also runs 75,448 kindergartheme “One in Christ, united in mis- The total reached 407,421, up 425 from tens, 103,666 primary schools, and the previous year. Growth in Africa sion.” secondary schools. Its (+1,676), Asia (+1,065), and the 51,810 Its figures come from the latest Church Americas (+199) outweighed declines in healthcare and charitable network statistical yearbook. Population and Europe (-2,483) and Oceania (-32). comprises 101,110 facilities, including Catholic figures refer to June 30, 2024; 5,397 hospitals and 13,646 dispensathe remaining figures refer to Decem- Diocesan priests numbered 279,238, an ries. ber 31, 2024. Changes are measured increase of 496, while religious priests Africa has the largest number of both fell by 71 to 128,183. against 2023. The average number of Catholics per hospitals and dispensaries in the dossiGrowth across the continents priest nevertheless rose by 38 to 3,491. er’s continental figures.❖ Catholics accounted for 17.8 percent of The dossier also recorded 5,525 a global population of almost 8 billion. Bishops, up by 95, and 52,102 permaTheir numbers increased on every nent deacons, up by 669.
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CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
Pope calls Putin from hospital urging ceasefire, aid to starving Ukrainians
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Journeying with the Word of God
MAKING THE WORD OF GOD YOUR OWN Step 1: Look at today’s Readings prayerfully. A still image taken from an undated drone video released Sept. 12, 2026, shows a destroyed building in Oleshky, the Kherson region of Russian-controlled Ukraine. (OSV News photo/34th Separate Marine Brigade “Borysfen” handout via Reuters) (OSV News) — Pope Leo XIV spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin Oct. 16, calling for a ceasefire in that nation’s war on Ukraine and humanitarian aid to Ukrainian civilians starving amid a Russian blockade. The Holy See Press Office announced that the pope — currently in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital following an Oct. 13 lung cancer surgery — “expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky,” located in Ukraine’s partially occupied Kherson region. Pope Leo’s call comes after a Sept. 19 appeal by the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations, urging the pope and other global religious leaders to intervene. The pope’s call also coincided with his message for World Food Day (Oct. 16), in which he described “regular access to safe, adequate and sufficient food” as “a basic human right” to be safeguarded by nations.” Oleshky and its surrounding communities are estimated to have more than 6,000 civilians remaining there, including some 200 children, who are “effectively trapped in a ‘gray zone’ near the front line,” said UCCRO.
Food supplies last delivered at end of May Russian forces have imposed a “humanitarian blockade,” with food supplies last “delivered to the area at the end of May,” the council said.
In addition, Russian officials have repeatedly refused to permit both evacuations and humanitarian aid, said Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha in a Sept. 21 Facebook post. Sybiha said in his post that “chilling accounts are emerging” from Oleshky of residents who “scavenge for food scraps and gather grass, as there is simply no other food available.” According to Reuters, the Kremlin released an Oct. 16 statement regarding the call between Pope Leo and Putin, with the exchange described as taking place “in a constructive atmosphere of mutual respect.” Putin, who wished the pope a speedy recovery, “thanked the pope for his willingness” to assist in “resolving the conflict” and “for his humanitarian efforts,” said the Kremlin.
Putin describes what he called Kyiv’s ‘responsibility’ Putin also provided “a detailed explanation” concerning what he called Kyiv’s “responsibility” for the humanitarian situation in Oleshky, while expressing “support” for the Vatican’s aim to facilitate civilian safety and the delivery of essential aid, the Kremlin said. “It has been agreed to cooperate on this matter,” said the Kremlin. Over the past several months, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War has issued multiple warnings of a “dire” and “Russian-manufactured humanitarian crisis” in Oleshky. In its Oct. 2 assessment, ISW noted Oleshky has not received any food deliveries since May 26.
Drone attacks, mines and Russian occupation forces have prevented the remaining residents from fleeing. ISW said that Russia has “deliberately weaponized deprivation and bureaucratic mismanagement,” with the blockade placing “thousands at risk of disease, starvation, and abuse at the hands of Russian forces.”
Russian blockade compounds previous damage to city Russia’s aid blockade has further compounded previous damage to Oleshky, which was one of several cities flooded by Russia’s 2023 intentional destruction of the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant in Kherson, said UCCRO. International humanitarian law, which governs armed conflict, mandates “rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for civilians in need,” according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Holy See Press Office said Pope Leo “called for a ceasefire to allow the delivery of food and medical assistance, and the voluntary and safe evacuation of the civilian population.” In addition, said the press office, “the Holy Father reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting dialogue and peace.” Russia’s attacks — initiated in 2014, and accelerated by a 2022 full-scale invasion — have been classified as a genocide in multiple reports by the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy and the Raoul Wallenberg Center for Human Rights.❖
1st Reading: King Cyrus of Persia made it possible for the Hebrew people to return home from exile. This is seen as the work of God. 2nd Reading: This is the oldest surviving text of Christian writing. We get a sense of Paul’s concern for the Christian community in the city of Thessalonika. Gospel: The enemies of Jesus try to trap him into saying something that they could use to accuse him of breaking the law.
Step 2: Applying the values of the Readings to your daily life. 1. God chose Cyrus, a pagan king, to do God’s work and so shows that anyone can be, and is, chosen. In what way and for what do you think you have been called by God? 2. Religion and life are like the two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the other. Do you think people can tell you are a disciple of Christ when you are going about your daily life? 3. Paul mentions the Thessalonian community’s faith and love. How do you experience (or do not experience) the faith and love of your community? 4. Do you think that in order to be a true Christian you have to separate yourself as much as possible from the world around you?
Step 3: Accepting the message of God’s
Word in your life of faith.
We must give to God and to Caesar. We just cannot separate our life into the secular and the sacred, that is, into our everyday life and our religious life. Our daily life is our temple and our faith. Jesus is saying that we must do our duty in the world, not in opposition to our duty to God but because of our duty to God.
Step 4: Something to think & pray about 1.Politics is not an easy profession. The temptations are great. One of the greatest temptations is to promote one’s own good rather than the good of society. Therefore, it is not easy for a Christian to be involved in politics today. But Christians are encouraged to take up public office which is a chance to serve their fellow women and men. What is your opinion on this? 2.Thank God for the times when you have acted according to your conscience in making important decisions. 3.Pray that your words of praise to others will always be sincere and not done to influence those persons.❖ [From: Journeying with the Word of God, The Religious Education Department, Diocese of Georgetown, Guyana ]
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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Bishops conclude Vatican family meeting primarily around the planned wedding ceremony or around the human, faithbased and vocation journeys we are called to accompany,” he said.
him after his convalescence. “We will then proceed according to his instructions,” the cardinals said.
He also emphasized the need for pastors to be present at significant moments in the first years of marriage “without necessarily turning this accompaniment into a continuous program of meetings.” “The sacrament has been celebrated, but now the spouses must learn to build and put roots in their married life. They must build a ‘we’ without erasing the ‘I’ and the ‘you,’” Cardinal Cobo said. Following the intense work during the first days of the meeting, Oct. 11 was scheduled as a recess. However, Pope Leo’s surgery announcement during his Sunday Angelus address shifted the pre -programmed schedule and shocked the participants. Reconvening on Oct. 12, while under the weight of Pope Leo’s impending surgery, the bishops and patriarchs reflected on the challenges faced by families in difficult situations. “Amoris Laetitia invited us to give priority to listening, to avoid judging too quickly, and to allow ourselves to be surprised by the action of God’s grace in people’s lives,” Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, said in the day’s opening address.
sessions and group work, Oct. 13, the assembly sent a message to Pope Leo ahead of his surgery in the afternoon, expressing their closeness, affection and prayers for his health. “We are grateful to you for having wanted this Meeting and for encouraging us to listen to families and to the journeys of our Churches. As we continue our work, we feel your closeness and carry with us your concern for families throughout the world,” the message read. The day’s discussions focused on Christian families and their significance in the Church’s mission. In his address, Tanzanian Cardinal Protase Rugambwa of Tabora highlighted the need for couples and families to take “on a more active role in the formation of seminarians, deacons, and other pastoral workers.” “The involvement of families as active subjects of pastoral action is supported very much by the concrete experiences they have gained as faithful and committed Christians, which can be utilized not only in their struggle to support the growth of the Church’s mission but also in shaping the formation of those who are called to accompany them,” Cardinal Rugambwa said. Pope Leo had been an active participant in the Vatican meeting up until he was admitted to the hospital. During the meeting’s closing Mass the morning following the pope’s surgery, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle read aloud a homily that had been prepared by the pope prior to the operation.
Message to Pope Leo with Pastors’ presence and couples’ prayers for his health first years of marriage On the meeting’s final day of plenary
Pope Leo XIV talks at a table with prelates and laypeople Oct. 7, 2026, after he opened the weeklong Vatican meeting of presidents of bishops' conferences marking the 10th anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia” ("The Joy of Love"). (OSV News photo/Simone Risoluti, Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY (OSV News) — The Vati- The bishops, patriarchs, families and can meeting of the world’s bishops’ experts taking part in the meeting on conference presidents and the heads of marriage and family in Paul VI Hall met Eastern Catholic churches marking the for more than 42 hours of discussions 10th anniversary of “Amoris Laetitia” over the course of Oct. 7 to 14 on topconcluded on the evening of Oct. 14 ics ranging from cohabitation of young with prayers for Pope Leo XIV’s recov- couples to influencers on social media portraying “traditional” families, often ery from lung cancer surgery. Jesuit Father Giacomo Costa, a consult- referred to as “trad wife” culture. ant to the General Secretariat of the The topic of annulments, as well as Synod who helped to organize the Communion for the divorced and remeeting, said Oct. 14 that married, also came up on Oct. 12, the “accompaniment” was one of the key day that participants devoted to diswords in the week’s discussions of cussing how best to accompany and support families in the difficulties of marriage and family. Reflecting on the significance of the life, which was overshadowed by Pope experience at the event’s final press Leo’s shocking announcement the day conference, Archbishop Charles Sciclu- prior that he would be undergoing surna, the archbishop of Malta, said that gery. he is bringing with him from this ‘I heard heartbreaking stories’ meeting “a renewed commitment to Addressing participants that morning, put the family at the center of the U.S. theologian Julie Hanlon Rubio said, Church’s pastoral mission.” “In preparing for this intervention, I “‘Amoris Laetitia’ 10 years ago stimu- heard heartbreaking stories. One perlated, provoked, an invitation for pasto- son told me of his elderly mother ral conversion, an attitude of listening suffering from dementia who, when to families, before judging, and also offered Eucharist at Mass, shouted, discerning situations with … open ‘No!,’ and covered her mouth, because hearts, seeking the will of God, but also one thing she remembered was that, facilitating the meeting with God’s because her husband of 50 years had mercy,” Archbishop Scicluna said. been previously married, she was not to receive the Body of Christ,” Report to be made public after worthy according to remarks posted on the pope reviews it meeting’s website. In the closing session of the Vatican “The Church can offer a challenging family summit, participants listened to vision of marriage as intimate partnera presentation of the meeting’s synthe- ship oriented to love and justice that sis report. Due to the personal request does not require perfection,” she addof Pope Leo prior to his surgery, the ed. “Whether they are single or marmeeting’s final synthesis report will not ried, with or without children; whether be made public until the pope has had they are divorced, widowed, or remartime to personally review it. Father ried, we can meet them at the door Costa said that the pope requested to with open arms, tell them that theirs is postpone the meeting’s final report, a challenging and necessary vocation, noting that Pope Leo “wanted to listen and assure them they are not alone.” to it and be able to offer his own word Earlier in the weeklong meeting, deleon it himself.” gates reflected on the delicate first “I will read the fruits of your work and years of married life, a point Pope Frandiscussions, and offer my reflections in cis emphasized in his post-synodal apdue course,” Pope Leo wrote in a brief ostolic exhortation “Amoris Laetitia.” message to the participants signed on In his address on Oct. 10, Cardinal José the day of his surgery. Cobo Cano of Madrid warned that the “I encourage you to begin to share with Church should “consider whether we your Episcopal Conferences and Dio- prepared couples more for a wedding ceses what you have lived and re- ceremony than for married life.” ceived, and to continue proclaiming the Gospel with families, drawing on “The issue is not merely a matter of the richness of ‘Amoris Laetitia,'” the reviewing contents. It is a question of whether our pastoral care is organized pope said.
Ministering to families affected by extreme hardships Filipino Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David of Kalookan described ministering to families affected by extreme hardships, noting that the “fragility of many families is not produced only by personal choices.” “Family life can also be wounded by poverty, migration, violence, addiction, imprisonment, injustice and precarious work. These realities can severely limit people’s freedom and their capacity even to approximate the Christian ideal of family life,” Cardinal David said in a video presentation. Reflecting on the declining numbers of baptisms and marriages, Hanlon highlighted Pope Francis’ call for a pastoral accompaniment that “is ever ready to understand, forgive, accompany, hope, and, above all, integrate.” “In an era when influencers on social media show off their seemingly perfect ‘traditional’ families complete with homemade bread and chickens, Francis’ integration of weakness is crucial,” Hanlon said. In the afternoon, before continuing with reports on group discussions, Cardinal Farrell and Cardinal Mario Grech, the secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, released a statement confirming that, because of Pope Leo’s surgery, the synthesis report would not be made public; instead, they would present the report and relevant texts to
Despite pontiff’s absence, those at assembly ‘not discouraged’ Cameroonian Archbishop Andrew Nkea of Bamenda, one of the bishops participating in the meeting, told OSV News that despite the pope’s absence on the meeting’s final days, those present in the assembly “were not discouraged, but we were very, very strongly united with him in prayer.” “Every morning before we started the meeting, we prayed for his health and for his quick recovery,” he said. “It really didn’t affect the meeting in the sense that it didn’t kill our spirits, because we have hope in God and trust in his healing power. But at the same time, we missed him in the meeting.” “We thank God that it was an early discovery,” Archbishop Nkea said. “So, we are hoping that he will recover very fast, and he will get back to his duties because the whole world is waiting for him to get well.”❖
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
Dear Girls and Boys, In Jesus' day, all the people were required to pay a tax to the Roman authorities. It was not a very popular tax with the people. One day some religious leaders came to Jesus and asked him if he thought the people should pay the tax. They were actually trying to trick Jesus, because they knew if he said, "Yes," the people would be angry. But if he said, "No," he would get into trouble with the authorities. Jesus saw right through their plan and he did a very wise thing. He asked them for a coin, then he said, "Whose picture is on this coin?" They answered, "It is Caesar." Caesar was the Roman ruler and all taxes had to be paid to him. Jesus then said to them, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God." If you look at any of our coins, you will see the name of our country, Guyana. So, we pay taxes to the government of our country. But what about God? Jesus also said "Give to God what belongs to God." The Bible says that we were created by God and that we were created in the image of God. If we are created by God, and we were created in His image, we must belong to Him. That means we must give ourselves to Him! Dear Father, you created us in your image and we belong to you. Because of that, we give our hearts and lives to you. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.❖
[ NFC - Sources: sdc.me.uk , catholickidsbulletin.com, sermons4kids.com , salfordliturgy.org.uk, young-catholics.com, thewordthisweek.net & thekidsbulletin.com ]
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CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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Message for World Mission Sunday 2026 (From P3)
By Renika Anand
Changing the world Norman Vincent Peale, an American author, once said “Change your thoughts and you change your world.”
Spirit inspires in each person, to embrace diversity as a treasure, to bear one another’s burdens and always to seek the unity that comes from above. Indeed, we all share in one mission in “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (Eph 4:5-6). This spirituality constitutes the daily expression of missionary discipleship. It helps us to recover a universal vision of the Church’s evangelizing mission, and to overcome a lack of coordinated efforts and the creation of factions among the followers of the one Lord — such as “I belong to Paul,” “I to Apollos” (cf. 1 Cor 1:10-12). Needless to say, missionary unity should not be understood as uniformity, but rather as the convergence of different charisms for the same purpose, namely to make Christ’s love visible and to invite everyone to encounter him. Evangelization is achieved when local communities cooperate with one another and when cultural, spiritual and liturgical differences are fully and harmoniously expressed in the same faith. I therefore encourage all institutions in the Church to strengthen their sense of ecclesial missionary communion and to develop creative and concrete ways of cooperating with one another for and in the mission. In this regard, I would like to thank the Pontifical Mission Societies for their service to missionary cooperation, which I experienced with gratitude during my ministry in Peru. These Societies — Propagation of the Faith, Holy Childhood, Saint Peter the Apostle, Saint Peter the Apostle and Pontifical Missionary Union — continue to nurture and form missionary awareness for the faithful of all ages, and to promote a network of prayer and charity that connects communities throughout the world. Here, it is worth noting that the founder of the Society of the Propagation of the Faith, Blessed Pauline Marie Jaricot, established the Living Rosary two hundred years ago. Even today it continues to bring together many of the faithful throughout the world to pray for every spiritual and missionary need. It is also worth remembering that, following a proposal from the Society of the Propagation of the
Faith, Pius XI established World Mission Day in 1926. The annual offerings collected on this day are distributed by the Society, on behalf of the Pope, to support the various needs of the Church’s mission. The four Societies, therefore, as a whole and each in its own specificity, still play a valuable role for the entire Church. They are a living sign of unity and ecclesial missionary communion. I invite everyone to work with them in a spirit of gratitude.
3. Mission to love – Proclaiming, living and sharing God’s faithful love If unity is the condition of mission, love is its essence. The Good News that we are sent to proclaim to the world is not an abstract ideal; it is the Gospel of God’s faithful love, which became flesh in the face and life of Jesus Christ. The mission of the disciples and the Church as a whole is to continue the mission of Christ in the Holy Spirit: a mission born of love, lived in love, and leading to love. In fact, the Lord himself, in his great prayer to the Father before his Passion, after invoking unity among his disciples, concludes: “so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (Jn 17:26). Impelled by the love of Christ, the Apostles then went out to evangelize for Christ (cf. 2 Cor 5:14). In the same way, throughout the centuries, multitudes of Christians — martyrs, confessors and missionaries — have given their lives to make this divine love known to the world. Thus, guided by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, the Church’s evangelizing mission will continue until the end of time. I would like to express my special gratitude to today’s ad gentes missionaries. Like Saint Francis Xavier, they have left their homeland, their families and all sense of security in order to proclaim the Gospel and bring Christ and his love to places that are often challenging, poor, conflict-ridden or culturally distant. Despite adversity and human limitations, they continue to give themselves joyfully, because they know that Christ himself, and his Gospel, are the greatest treasures we can offer. Through their perseverance, they demonstrate that God’s love trans-
cends all barriers. The world still needs these courageous witnesses of Christ, and ecclesial communities still need new missionary vocations. We must always keep them close to our hearts and continually pray to the Father for them. May he grant us the gift of young people and adults who are willing to leave everything behind to follow Christ on the path of evangelization even to the ends of the earth! Filled with admiration for men and women missionaries, I make a special appeal to the whole Church to join them in the mission of evangelization through the witness of our lives in Christ, through prayer and through our contributions to the missions. As Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Love is not loved,” and we look to him in a special way on the eight hundredth anniversary of his passing to heaven. Let us find inspiration in his desire to live in the love of the Lord and to transmit it to those both near and far, because, as he said, “this love Who hath loved us much is much to be loved” (Saint Bonaventure of Bagnoregio, The Life of Saint Francis, chap. IX, 1; Fonti Francescane, 1161). Let us also draw inspiration from the zeal of Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus, who declared that she would continue her mission even after death: “I shall desire in heaven the same thing as I do now on earth: to love Jesus and to make him loved” (Letter 220 to l’Abbé Bellière, 24 February 1897). Inspired by these testimonies, let us all commit to contributing to the great mission of evangelization — which is always a work of love —according to our own vocation and the gifts we have received. Your prayers and practical support, particularly on World Mission Day, will be a great help in bringing the Gospel of God’s love to everyone, especially the poorest and those most in need. Every gift, no matter how small, becomes a meaningful act of missionary communion. I renew my heartfelt gratitude “for everything you will do to help me help missionaries throughout the world” (Video Message for World Mission Day 2025, 19 October 2025). To foster spiritual communion, I give you my blessing with this simple prayer: Holy Father, make us one in Christ, rooted in his love that unites and
A temporary moment of disillusionment is an inevitable but necessary part of growing up. Whether we expect it or not, we will all eventually have an experience that completely goes against every belief that we have built of the world and the people around us. Sometimes, it is not a single experience, but rather a series of disappointing moments that bring about this feeling. When we do encounter these moments, it lies in our hands whether we allow them to change us, or whether we use it as fuel to change the world. Optimism and the general ability to notice the good part in every bad situation is one of the most useful skills that one can develop. Thinking only positive thoughts is a powerful driver of change. So, when you step out into the world today and notice parts of it that disappoint you, do not turn away or allow those parts to change who you are. Instead, look at them more deeply and see it in a way that no one has ever dared to before. You just might end up changing the world. A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22❖ renews. May all members of the Church be united in mission, docile to the Holy Spirit, courageous in bearing witness to the Gospel, proclaiming and daily embodying your faithful love for all creatures. Bless all missionary men and women, support them in their efforts, and watch over them in hope! Mary, Queen of Missions, accompany our work of evangelization in every corner of the earth: make us instruments of peace, and grant that the whole world may recognize in Christ the light that saves. Amen.❖
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Faith in Practice: Living and Knowing our Faith
Sing Out, My Soul
Facing Challenges and Grief as a Catholic Fr. Joel Thompson SJ Christians are not spared from difficult moments in life. Some mistaken versions of Christianity preach that if we give ourselves over to Jesus, nothing bad will ever happen to us. But our life experience teaches us that is not true. Looking at scripture, the devil tempted Jesus to throw himself from the Temple, claiming that angels would protect him. However, Jesus refused to put God to the test by asking for miraculous protection (Matthew 4:5–7). Faith does mean a life without suffering. What, then, does faith mean? What are we supposed to do when living feels like one battle after another? Faith is a living relationship with God. It means trusting Him and accepting what He reveals (CCC 150). God is with us through every battle. Remembering that is perhaps the most important thing of all. Jesus did not have it easy. People questioned his authority. He was beaten, mocked, stripped of his garments and crucified. Most of his closest friends abandoned him in his moment of need. He also knew grief and wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus (John 11:35). The God we serve knows our struggles and weaknesses. In Jesus, God has entered our suffering (CCC 1505). Ray Repp’s song, Sing Out, My Soul, offers helpful words for difficult moments.
Sing out, my soul, to the Lord For He alone understands The loneliness you live in Place all your cares in His hands In moments of crisis, we can feel utterly alone. No one seems to have time to listen or understand. Their words and advice do not seem to make a difference to that hollow feeling within us. Ever felt alone while surrounded by people? What can we do? We can turn to the Lord and pour out our hearts through tears, words or silence. Don’t be afraid to bring anger, loneliness and frustration to him. Prayer is a space where we do not need to pretend that we are fine. Even when words fail, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness and intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). Tears are not a failure of faith.
His Love will Carry You Along Never forget, as you pour out your soul, that God loves you. Even when you have strayed and messed up your life, He calls you home. The father in the parable of the prodigal son runs to welcome his returning child (Luke 15:20). God’s mercy invites us to
repentance and reconciliation. The most basic truth of our faith is that we are loved by God. St Paul assures us that neither death nor life, nor any other creature, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38–39). Our suffering does not mean that God has stopped loving us.
Yes, my soul, He can mend your heart And make it whole Heartbreak and emotional pain are sometimes worse than physical pain. When our hearts are broken, we may turn to alcohol, drugs, sex, endless scrolling, food or overwork to fill the emptiness inside. These things can become ways of avoiding pain and usually leave us more wounded than before. However, Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). St Augustine reminds us that our
hearts are restless until they rest in God (CCC 30). Our deepest longing is for the God who made us and loves us. Both spiritual and physical healing take time. Give things time and space. Muddy waters left to settle become clear.
Yes, my soul, He will show His Face In all you need Faith means trusting that God is with us in our suffering. Sometimes relief comes quickly; at other times, it does not. We may never fully understand why. The Catechism acknowledges that even intense prayer does not always bring physical healing (CCC 1508). We can keep praying and hoping… God’s love reaches us through people who listen, check in on us, correct us and encourage us. We can become those people for someone else. We encounter Christ in prayer,
Scripture and acts of charity. He promises to be with those gathered in His name (Matthew 18:20). At Mass, we bring our wounded hearts to Him. In the Eucharist, Christ is truly present in a unique way, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity (CCC 1374). We can sit before Him with the things we cannot explain. Spending time before the Blessed Sacrament really does heal. When we mourn someone, Christian hope does not erase their absence. We still miss their voice and presence. But Christ’s resurrection opens a future beyond death (CCC 1681). For those mourning, please grieve, cry and pour out your heart to God, entrusting your loved ones to His mercy. And so today, sing out your soul to the Lord. Place your cares in His hands. He’ll be there when you’re in need and His love will carry you along. To listen: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=MXVVT0eyzFo ❖
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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World Mission Sunday has ‘borne fruit in my own life,’ says Pope Leo (CNS) - The aim of World Mission Sunday (Oct. 18), established 100 years ago by Pope Pius XI, has “borne fruit in my own life,” said Pope Leo XIV. The pope reflected on the annual observance in a video message posted by Vatican News to its YouTube channel Oct. 7. A transcript of the message was also published on the Vatican’s website.
Unity theme In January, Pope Leo XIV announced he had chosen the theme “One in Christ, united in mission” for this year’s celebration, with his message for the day encouraging “the whole Church to continue its missionary journey with joy and zeal in the Holy Spirit.” Established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 and universally observed by 1927, World Mission Sunday is a dedicated day of “prayer and missionary promotion throughout the Catholic world,” according to its founding decree. Held on the next-to-last Sunday of October, the observance also includes a collection that serves as the primary financial support for the Pontifical Mission Societies, a worldwide network operating at the service of the pope and consisting of four
organizations designated as pontifical by Pope Pius XI in 1922.
Fruit of evangelization The Society for the Propagation of the Faith supports the evangelization efforts of the local church; the Missionary Childhood Association educates children about their part in the church’s missionary outreach; the Society of St. Peter the Apostle trains the next generation of missionary clergy and consecrated religious; and the Pontifical Missionary Union focuses on forming clergy, religious and pastoral leaders more deeply in their role as evangelizers. In his video message, Pope Leo said, “Looking back on my youth, I can see how the prayers offered to the Lord of the harvest mysteriously helped prepare my heart to hear Jesus’ call to follow him as an Augustinian missionary.” The future pope served for years in Peru, a country particularly blessed by missionary priests, said Father Anthony D. Andreassi, a priest of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Brooklyn, New York, and a researcher for the Pontifical Mission Societies USA.
In an Oct. 5 interview with OSV News, Father Andreassi explained how the 20th century saw an uptick in the number of North American priests, both diocesan and religious, assigned to Latin America, where the Church already had a 500-year presence, but “never enough of a native clergy.” The Augustinian Order “started sending people into Peru in the 1960s,” said Father Andreassi. “And then, all of a sudden, you see Robert Prevost” — who would eventually become Pope Leo XIV — “there in the 1980s.”
World Mission Sunday legacy In his video message, Pope Leo said “the prayers and contributions of the faithful encouraged and sustained my missionary work in Peru, as well as that of countless others throughout the world.” “For this reason, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported World Mission Sunday over the years,” he added. The pope said this year’s theme “invites us to reflect on the fundamental task of nurturing the Church’s unity in following Christ, particularly in our commitment and responsibility to spread the Gospel
message of salvation to all people.” Baptism makes each of the faithful “a member of the Body of Christ” with “a unique role in contributing to Jesus’ saving work.” “Our Lord calls us to cooperate as one family, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to bring everyone everywhere into a communion of faith in Christ,” said Pope Leo. He reaffirmed his appeal from his previously released message for the day, urging all to “commit to contributing to the great mission of evangelization — which is always a work of love — according to our own vocation and the gifts we have received.” Prayers and “practical support” will be “a great help in bringing the Gospel of God’s love to everyone, especially the poorest and those most in need,” said the pope, quoting from his earlier message. He thanked those who “carry on the legacy of World Mission Sunday” and “support generously the evangelizing mission of the Church throughout the world.”❖
CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
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CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, October 16th 2026
The Rosary Trail
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Saint of the Week
October18th: St Luke the Evangelist
October is the month of the Holy Rosary, and each Sunday morning in October, Our Lady of Fatima Youth Group has been praying the Rosary whilst walking around the National Park. All are invited to join the youths every Sunday in October (Mission Month) at 6:30am. Make prayer your mission this month, come walk and pray with us! ❖ (Adapted from Our Lady of Fatima Church - Guyana FB) .
Luke, the writer of the Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles, has been identified with St. Paul's "Luke, the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). We know few other facts about Luke's life from Scripture and from early Church historians. It is believed that Luke was born a Greek and a Gentile. In Colossians 10-14 Paul speaks of those friends who are with him. He first mentions all those "of the circumcision" - in other words, Jews - and he does not include Luke in this group. Luke's gospel shows special sensitivity to evangelizing Gentiles. It is only in his gospel that we hear the parable of the Good Samaritan, that we hear Jesus praising the faith of Gentiles such as the widow of Zarephath and Naaman the Syrian (Lk.4:2527), and that we hear the story of the one grateful leper who is a Samaritan (Lk.17:1119). According to the early Church historian Eusebius, Luke was born at Antioch in Syria. In our day, it would be easy to assume that someone who was a doctor was rich, but scholars have argued that Luke might have been born a slave. It was not uncommon for families to educate slaves in medicine so that they would have a resident family physician. Not only do we have Paul's word, but Eusebius, Saint Jerome, Saint Irenaeus and Caius, a second-century writer, all refer to Luke as a physician. He is the patron of Physicians and Surgeons.❖ [From: www.catholic.org ]