The Center for Mission exists to promote and coordinate the global mission outreach of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, supporting Catholic missions both locally and worldwide and fostering missionary vocations and global solidarity
We build bridges of faith and cooperation with Catholic mission churches in more than 120 countries. Our goal is to animate/activate the missionary spirit in all Catholics, encouraging them to support and actively participate in Christ’s mission to the ends of the earth.
We fulfill our mission and vision through the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies, gathering prayer support and providing financial assistance to over 1,100 mission dioceses worldwide. Our efforts include mission education programs for both children and adults, coordinating mission cooperation initiatives, fostering global solidarity, and supporting social mission projects. We are also dedicated to promoting missionary vocations and encouraging active participation in local and global mission work.
In 1935, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis established the local office of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith to coordinate efforts supporting Catholic missionary activity worldwide. These initiatives included collecting both financial and spiritual support for Catholic missions overseas, educating about Catholic missionaries in parishes and schools, sending priests to serve in Venezuela, and encouraging Catholics to deepen their missionary spirit and embrace the missionary vocation.
In 2002, the office became known as the Center for Mission, reflecting its broader scope of mission-related activities. The Center for Mission serves as a local hub within the international network of The Pontifical Mission Societies and supports the efforts of both Catholic Relief Services and Catholic Charities. We have established strong, ongoing partnerships with the Diocese of Kitui, Kenya and the Archdiocese of Damascus, Syria. Our office facilitates annual missionary appeals and US collections to support the Church in need.
In 2018, we expanded our focus to include the social mission of the Church. This encompasses providing parishes with resources to promote the ministries of Catholic Social Teaching, serve the most vulnerable, and care for God’s creation through environmental and social justice initiatives.