Miao Diocese Marks Mission Sunday with Prayer, Fundraising

MIAO, October 19, 2026: Parishes across the Diocese of Miao in Arunachal Pradesh marked the 100th World Mission Sunday on October 18 with prayer gatherings, awareness programmes and fundraising initiatives, renewing their commitment to evangelisation and support for the Church’s global mission.

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao urged parishes and mission centres to use the centenary to deepen their commitment to spreading the Gospel, stressing that every baptised Christian has a role in the Church’s mission.

“Let the celebrations remind each one of us that we are not just baptised believers, but missionary disciples, who follow Jesus and make others disciples. And this is the most urgent need of the Church in our context,” the Salesian bishop said.

He also called for prayers for those who had not encountered Christ or received adequate catechesis, urging the faithful to reach out to them.

Across the diocese, communities organised activities combining prayer, formation and practical support for evangelisation.

At Mary Help of Christians Parish in Borduria, Tirap district, parishioners contributed towards the cause. Parish priest Fr. C. J. Mathew praised their generosity, saying the initiative demonstrated what communities could achieve through collective effort.

St. Mary Catholic Church in Loaksim, Longding district, held an awareness programme to deepen understanding of the Church’s evangelising responsibility.

In Khonsa, the Christ the King Parish community organised family rosaries for missionaries serving across the diocese. Fr. Subhash Michael, parish priest of Khonsa Mission, thanked the faithful for coming together in prayer for those engaged in pastoral work.

At Ozako Mission, Fr. Sunil organised a procession before the Eucharistic celebration to encourage greater participation in evangelisation.

St. Peter’s Parish in Tezu, Lohit district, combined an awareness programme with fundraising through a food fair. Each Basic Ecclesial Community prepared a food item for the event, where parishioners purchased breakfast to raise funds for Church missions.

Soplum Toh, a touring catechist at the mission, emphasised that spreading the Gospel was the responsibility of all baptised Christians, not only priests and religious.

“Every baptised person is a missionary. Today’s animation is a much-needed reminder of this truth,” he said.

Francis Mossang of Sacred Heart Parish in Neotan, Changlang district, said the centenary made this year’s observance particularly meaningful.

The celebrations underscored the importance of prayer, community participation and financial support in sustaining the Church’s evangelising work in India and beyond.

By Catholic Connect Reporter