Walkers ‘Take Christ to the World’ to help missions

Father John Ludden, the Diocese’s Director for the Propagation of the Faith, which oversees the mission work, was encouraged by the number of walkers, particularly considering the bad weather.

Students, teachers and principals walk during the “Taking Christ to the World” walkathon for Catholic missions at Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota on Oct. 17. Other walkathon locations included Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, St. John Neumann High School in Naples and Port Charlotte High School.

BOB REDDY | FC
Students, teachers and principals take part in the “Taking Christ to the World” walkathon for Catholic missions at Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota on Oct. 17. Other walkathon locations included Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, St. John Neumann High School in Naples and Port Charlotte High School.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Posted: 10.27.09

SARASOTA | Engaging young people to care and support the mission work of the Catholic Church went to a new level Oct. 17 when the Diocese of Venice held the “Taking Christ to the World” walkathon at four locations.

Heavy rain and cooler temperatures may have kept a few people away but overall good crowds turned up at each location, including Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota where more than 200 people walked, jogged or ran 24 laps, or six miles, around the track, raising money for the missions cause. Because of heavy rain and lightning, fewer people than expected walked at the other locations.

At Port Charlotte High School more than 150 walkers braved a cool rain to walk. At Bishop Verot High School in Fort Myers, where more than 300 walkers were signed up to participate, about 200 braved a driving rain storm. At St. John Neumann High School in Naples, another 150 walked inside the school gymnasium to avoid the lightning and heavy rains.

At each location people had fun and dutifully walked their laps. Diocesan school and youth groups were organized to walk, and many parents decided to join in.

Father John Ludden, the Diocese’s Director for the Propagation of the Faith, which oversees the mission work, said he was encouraged by the number of walkers, particularly considering the bad weather.

“It is good to see people walking and raising awareness and giving witness as Catholics about the mission work we do here in the Diocese,” Father Ludden said. The pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Naples attended the walks at St. John Neumann and Bishop Verot, offering encouragement and support. “The walkathon provided an opportunity for the youths of the Diocese to demonstrate their missionary spirit by witnessing to their faith and raising monies for missionary efforts.”

The walkathon weekend coincided with World Missions Sunday on Oct. 18. On that day, Pope Benedict XVI told the thousands of faithful gathered at noon in St. Peter’s Square that the observance represents, “for all ecclesial communities and for each Christian, a powerful call to commit themselves to announcing and bearing witness to the Gospel to everyone, especially to people who do not yet know it.” He concluded by saying, “I invite all Christians to make a gesture of material and spiritual support to help the young Churches in the poorest countries.”

At Cardinal Mooney, where the rain had passed shortly before the 9 a.m. walkathon began, students, teachers and school principals registered and turned in their pledge sheets to event organizers. They then gathered on the track for a morning prayer.

As part of the prayer, the walkers were told they are not alone in the world and that they need to think of others who are in need because as Catholics we help our fellow men, no matter what their situation is.

At Bishop Verot, the walkers proudly wore their T-shirts, some soaked through, others with rain ponchos. Food left over because of the smaller turnout was donated to the local Salvation Army so it wouldn’t go to waste.

Michelle Walsh of Resurrection of Our Lord Parish in Fort Myers wore one of the ponchos and took turns with her husband, Matthew, pulling their two children, Liam, 21 months old, and Ayden, 5, around the track in a wagon. “It wasn’t too bad. It was for a good cause,” she said.

Taylor Gray, a parishioner at St. Cecilia Parish in Fort Myers, said she was having lots of fun walking, admitting she was in no real hurry to finish. She had painted her face to look like the Joker from the “Batman” movies.

Father Ludden said the work in the missions is necessary because the Catholic Church can offer assistance in a way that no other charity organization can.

“Our youths have been exposed to the lives of missionaries and the plight of the poor,” he said. “In the programs offered to them, they have begun to realize the importance of entering into solidarity with the people who live in the missions. This past walkathon was just one venue in which they could accomplish this goal. As the Catholic Church, we have a level of trust in areas where there are corrupt government officials. We are there to help them, not exploit them. The people who receive the help are just in bad situations and they need the help we can provide.”

Proceeds from the walkathon will support the work of the Mission Office. Both the grade schools and high schools have been introduced to the Pontifical Mission Societies of the Church through the endeavors of the Holy Childhood Association and Propagation of the Faith. These programs foster the Mission Mandate of Jesus to “Go make disciples of all the nations” (Mt 28:19). These mission programs directly appeal to school-age students to help them learn about the work of the Catholic missions throughout the world and encourage them to become actively involved in supporting them.

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