PORTLAND — Bishop Robert P. Deeley will celebrate World Mission Sunday Mass at Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish on the corner of Sherman and Mellen streets on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 10:30 a.m. World Mission Sunday is a day for Catholics worldwide to recommit themselves to the church’s missionary activity through prayer and sacrifice.

Sacred Heart/St. Dominic Parish will host the Mass as its diverse congregation is representative of the global community. The parish is home to more than 25 social service programs, the Diocesan Hispanic Ministry program, and hosts a variety of presentations aimed at assisting parishioners in need, including workshops with Catholic Charities Maine’s Refugee and Immigration Services. The Les Voix des Anges choir, an ensemble made up mostly of singers from central African nations who are now living in the Portland area, will perform at the Mass.

World Mission Sunday is organized by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith which assists more than 1,150 dioceses in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and remote areas of Latin America by providing pastoral programs, building churches and chapels, and meeting health care and educational needs. A special collection will be held on World Mission Sunday to benefit the work of the society.

“This brings the opportunity for all of God’s people around the world to gather together to offer prayers, solidarity, and support to people and growing churches in mission lands,” said Bishop Deeley. “It is a celebration of grace inspired by the many Catholics who have the industry and will to generously serve God in places of poverty and persecution. It is the privilege of the Diocese of Portland to respond and assist where it is needed most.”

The theme of this year’s World Mission Sunday celebration is “I Will Build My Church” (Matthew 16:18) which highlights the outreach of local churches through priests, religious and laity among the poor and marginalized around the world.

World Mission Sunday in Portland will also serve as the official start of the diocese’s new Mission Ambassador program. Mission ambassadors are volunteers from Maine parishes who will promote mission programs and a greater awareness of mission work in their respective churches. Many of the mission ambassadors will be in attendance at the Mass to be recognized for their commitment.

For more information, contact Dave Guthro, communications director for the Diocese of Portland, at 321- 7810 or at dave.guthro@portlanddiocese.org.