In weaving references to St. Paul and the Pauline Year through his message for World Mission Sunday 2008, "Servants and Apostles of Christ Jesus," Pope Benedict XVI gives us the outline of a model missionary and teacher. Among the apostles and disciples, Paul stands out as one who felt the urgency of the missionary mandate he received. "Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!" (1Cor.9: 16). Knowing himself as loved and redeemed, Paul could not but take to the road to proclaim Christ and his message of salvation. The Holy Father writes, "By looking at St. Paul's experience, we understand that missionary activity is a response to the love with which God loves us. His love redeems us and prods us to the missio ad gentes."

This ‘mission to the peoples' is reflected in the logo of our new mission education program, Journey With Jesus. Against the background of the world we see the figure of a person whose feet are not feet at all but a heart. The figure's hand is reaching toward a cross. To me this logo says it is love that is the source of our energy for mission. Or again, love propels us outward toward mission. And this message is at the heart of our mission education curriculum, Journey With Jesus. Since the new curriculum's launching in January 2008, hundreds of schools have used the program and teachers and students continue to give enthusiastic feedback. The lively, insightful videos, appealing music, teacher-friendly manuals, unique, colorful posters-all bring alive the mission of Jesus and how we can live out his call today. I encourage you to visit the Journey With Jesus page to learn more about the program and watch the trailer (actually, our earlier trailer follows the first one displayed; watch both for more information). You can also order the program on the website.

Mission Education Associate Sr. Colleen Nolan, OP, and Columban Father Denis Bartley staff the Mission Ed booth at the West Coast Religious Education Congress in Anaheim, California.

In addition to Journey With Jesus, we offer a variety programs for youth and adults, as well as vacation bible school, religious education and RCIA. These resources can also be explored and ordered on the website. All programs are available both on loan and for purchase.

With our Calendar of Events you can check to see if we will be exhibiting our materials at a convention or conference near you. If you have questions, want to order materials by phone, need help ordering materials through the website, or want more information about our Companions in Mission , please do not hesitate to contact us.

In the mission of Jesus,

Sr. Jeanne Janssen, CSJ

Mission Education Director