Comboni Missionaries - North American Province

10/19/2026

Happy Birthday, Fr. John Converset, MCCJ!

Today we give thanks for Fr. John's life of faith and missionary service. May God bless him with good health, joy, and renewed strength as he continues to share Christ's love with others.

Please join the Comboni Missionaries in wishing Fr. John a very happy birthday!

10/19/2026

Stop by the Comboni Mission Center Thursday through Saturday, November 5-7, for ATLA - Anderson Township Library Association's amazing book sale!

Seasonal Shopping Made Easier at Holiday Book Sale

Planning ahead for some special holiday shopping experiences? The Anderson Township Library Association's holiday and nearly new book sale, scheduled in November, will offer a wide assortment of books, puzzles, music and movies.

The annual event is set for Thursday through Saturday, Nov. 5-7, at Comboni Missionaries, 1318 Nagel Road. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Proceeds benefit the special programs of the Anderson and Mt. Washington branch libraries. Learn more at www.CHPL.org/ATLA.

10/19/2026

10/19/2026

A simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich fills the belly and warms the heart. Today some of our volunteers gathered to make PB&J sandwiches for Our Daily Bread. We are humbled to work with them and support their ministry! Be on the lookout for next month's sandwich making day--many hands make light work!

10/18/2026

Today we celebrate the 100th World Mission Sunday—a day when Catholics throughout the world join in prayer and solidarity with the Church's missionary work.

Pope Leo XIV reminds us that evangelization is “always a work of love.” That love takes shape in the daily lives of missionaries and the communities they accompany: in education, pastoral care, advocacy, friendship and hope.

For the Comboni Missionaries, mission is a shared calling. Together with the people we serve, we seek to make Christ's love present where it is needed most.

Please pray today for missionaries, for new vocations, and especially for the communities whose faith and perseverance inspire our work. Your prayers and support are part of this mission.

How will you live the call to mission this week?

10/18/2026

Give to God what belongs to God. More in today's reflection by Fr. Jorge.

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Walking with Saint Daniel Comboni
Gospel: Matthew 22:15–21

“Give to God What Belongs to God”

In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees try to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar.

Jesus, knowing their intentions, answers with wisdom: “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”

With these words, Jesus invites us to reflect on our priorities and recognize what truly belongs to God.

We may fulfill our responsibilities in the world, but we must never forget that our hearts, our lives, and everything we are come from Him.

Sometimes, we become so occupied with our daily responsibilities, personal concerns, and material needs that we leave little room for God.

Yet the Lord does not ask only for our prayers or our time; He desires our hearts, our love, and our willingness to serve.

MEDITATION:

Walking with Saint Daniel Comboni, we discover a beautiful example of a life completely offered to God.

Saint Daniel gave his strength, his talents, and even his suffering to the mission of evangelization.

His life reminds us that serving God means giving ourselves generously, especially to those who need our love and compassion.

REFLECTION:

Today, Jesus asks us a personal question: What am I giving to God? Am I offering Him only what is convenient, or am I allowing Him to guide my decisions, transform my heart, and direct my life?

As we walk with Saint Daniel Comboni, we are invited to examine how we live our faith in our families, our communities, and our service to others.

Giving to God what belongs to God means placing Him at the center of our lives.

It means serving without seeking recognition, loving without expecting anything in return, and remaining faithful even when the path becomes difficult.

Saint Daniel Comboni teaches us that our lives become fruitful when we surrender them to God’s mission.

We do not need to accomplish extraordinary things to please Him; we need a generous heart willing to respond to His call each day.

Let us ask ourselves:
Do I give God the first place in my life?
Do my actions reflect the love and mercy of Christ?

Am I willing to offer my gifts and talents in service to His mission?

Today, let us remember that we belong to God.

May everything we think, say, and do become an offering of love for Him and for our brothers and sisters.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of life and for reminding us that we belong to You.

Teach us to fulfill our responsibilities in this world without allowing worldly concerns to take Your place in our hearts.

Through the intercession of Saint Daniel Comboni, give us generous hearts, humble spirits, and the courage to serve Your mission with love and faithfulness.

Help us to offer You our time, our talents, our struggles, and our joys.

May our lives become a living testimony of Your love, especially toward those who are forgotten, suffering, or in need of hope.

Lord Jesus, guide our decisions and teach us to give to You what truly belongs to You: our whole heart and our entire life.

Saint Daniel Comboni, pray for us, that we may live for God and serve His mission with love.

Amen. 🙏🏻🙏🏻⛪️⛪️🛐🛐

10/17/2026

St Ignatius pray for us.

Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr
Walking with Saint Daniel Comboni
Gospel: Luke 12:8–12

“Witnesses of Christ Without Fear”

In today’s Gospel, Jesus invites us to acknowledge Him before others and to remain faithful even when our faith is challenged.

He reminds His disciples that the Holy Spirit will guide them and give them the words they need when they face difficult moments.

Following Christ is not always easy.

Sometimes, living our faith requires courage, especially when we encounter misunderstanding, rejection, or opposition. Yet Jesus assures us that we are never alone.

The Holy Spirit strengthens our hearts and helps us remain faithful to the truth with love and humility.

Today, as we commemorate Saint Ignatius of Antioch, a bishop and martyr who remained faithful to Christ even unto death, we are reminded that authentic faith is not merely something we profess with our lips; it is something we live through our actions, our decisions, and our willingness to love even when the cost is great.

MEDITATION:

Walking with Saint Daniel Comboni, we discover a similar spirit of courage and surrender.

His missionary life was marked by difficulties, sacrifices, and unwavering trust in God.

He reminds us that when our hearts belong to Christ, no obstacle should take away our desire to serve Him and proclaim His love.

Let us ask ourselves: Do I acknowledge Christ through my words and actions, even when doing so is uncomfortable?
May we learn to trust the Holy Spirit, who gives us the courage to stand firm in our faith and the wisdom to respond with charity.

REFLECTION:

“Courage Rooted in Faith”

Saint Ignatius of Antioch teaches us through his martyrdom that our love for Christ must be stronger than our fear.

Saint Daniel Comboni teaches us that missionary discipleship means giving ourselves wholeheartedly to God's mission, even amid uncertainty and suffering.

Jesus does not promise that we will never face difficulties. He promises that the Holy Spirit will be with us, guiding and strengthening us when we need Him most.

Today, let us remember that witnessing to Christ does not always require extraordinary actions.

Sometimes, it means speaking the truth with kindness, forgiving someone who has hurt us, defending what is right, or remaining faithful when others do not understand our choices.

A question for the heart: Am I allowing fear to silence my faith, or am I allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me toward a courageous and loving witness to Christ?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the example of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, who remained faithful to Your Son even in the face of death, and for the missionary witness of Saint Daniel Comboni, who dedicated his life to proclaiming Your love.

Grant me the courage to acknowledge Jesus through my words, my actions, and my daily decisions.

When I feel afraid, strengthen me.

When I face opposition, give me patience.

When I do not know what to say, allow Your Holy Spirit to guide my heart and my words.

May I never be ashamed of the Gospel, but always proclaim Your truth with humility, compassion, and love.

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, pray for us.

Saint Daniel Comboni, walk with us on our missionary journey.

Holy Spirit, guide us, strengthen us, and make us faithful witnesses of Christ.
Amen. 🙏🏻🙏🏻⛪️⛪️🛐🛐

10/15/2026

Today we celebrate St. Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582), a mystic, reformer, and Doctor of the Church whose teachings on prayer continue to inspire Christians around the world.

St. Teresa reminds us that prayer is not separate from our work in the world, but the source of the love and courage that sustain it.

As we prepare for World Mission Sunday, may her example inspire us to deepen our relationship with Christ and carry his love to others through lives of service.

St. Teresa of Ávila, pray for us!

10/14/2026

St. Daniel chose to serve with love even when the journey becomes difficult.

Wednesday of the Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Walking with Saint Daniel Comboni.
Gospel: Luke 11:42–46

“A Faith That Transforms the Heart”.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks firmly to the Pharisees because they pay attention to religious rules and outward appearances while neglecting what matters most: justice, the love of God, and mercy.

They appear righteous before others, yet their hearts have forgotten the true meaning of serving God.

Jesus reminds us that faith is not simply about following traditions, attending church, or speaking about spiritual things.

True faith must transform the way we think, speak, and treat one another.

God desires hearts that are humble, compassionate, and willing to recognize their own weaknesses.

MEDITATION:

Saint Daniel Comboni understood that missionary work was not merely about accomplishing tasks, but about bringing the love of Christ to every person.

His life teaches us that authentic service requires sacrifice, humility, perseverance, and a heart completely surrendered to God.

Saint Daniel Comboni chose to serve with love even when the journey becomes difficult.

It means remembering that our mission is not to judge or condemn, but to become instruments of God's mercy and truth.

The Lord is not asking us to appear perfect before others; He is inviting us to become more faithful, humble, and loving every day.

REFLECTION:

What Does God See in My Heart?
Today’s Gospel invites us to look beyond appearances and ask ourselves: Is my faith reflected in the way I treat others? Do I practice mercy when someone makes a mistake? Am I willing to receive correction with humility, or am I more concerned with proving that I am right?
In our families, communities, and ministries, we may encounter difficult situations and people whose attitudes challenge our patience.

Yet these moments can become opportunities for spiritual growth.

We cannot control the hearts of others, but we can allow God to transform our own.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, purify my heart and help me recognize the areas of my life that need conversion.

Keep me from judging others while ignoring my own weaknesses.

Teach me to practice justice, mercy, and genuine love in everything I do.

When I encounter difficulties in serving You, give me the patience to respond with kindness, the humility to accept correction, and the wisdom to distinguish between what comes from pride and what leads me closer to You.

Through the intercession of Saint Daniel Comboni, strengthen my missionary spirit.

Jesus, transform my heart so that my words, actions, and service may reflect Your love.

Amen🙏🏻🙏🏻⛪️⛪️🛐🛐

10/13/2026

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐆𝐨
St. Daniel Comboni believed that the Gospel called him to stand with people too often forgotten by the wider world. His example reminds us that mission is not simply a journey to a distant place. It is a commitment to encounter, dignity, and lasting solidarity. May we carry that spirit into our own communities today.