The vision of International Missionary Foundation is to address Spiritual and Physical poverty by fostering Parish2Parish relationships that are based on mutual love, respect and benefits in response to the Second Vatican Council and encouraged by the Magisterium. IMF has developed a unique Parish2Parish Mission Program, connecting Catholic parishes in the U.S. with impoverished parishes in develo
ping and under-developed countries. Instead of a simple one-time appeal to a parish for financial support, we encourage parishes to sponsor a specific “human development project” for a time span of one to three years. During this time, parishioners commit to supporting the project through their prayers, financial support, parish development, and participation of mission trips to the community itself.
“The grace of renewal cannot grow in communities unless each of these extends the range of its charity to the ends of the earth and devotes the same care to those afar off as it does to those who are its own members.” –Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church Ad Gentes, 37
The International Missionary Foundation has three Apostolic Priorities which consist of Parish renewal, Parish2Parish relationships and Serving Christ in the poor. Parish Renewal: To prayerfully facilitate an atmosphere to experience the grace of renewal, while embracing the call for the New Evangelization. The Second Vatican Council invited all, “To a profound interior renewal, so that having aa lively awareness of their own responsibility for the spreading of the Gospel, they may play their part in missionary work among the nations.” (Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church Ad Gentes, 25)
Parish2Parish Relationships: To actively engage Catholic parishes to be involved in Parish2Parish relationships that are mutually beneficial. “Cooperating between the churches, in an authentic reciprocity that prepares them both to give and to receive, is a source of enrichments for all of them and touches the various spheres of ecclesial life.” (St. JPII)
Serving Christ in the Poor: Inspired by the unmitigated love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for humanity, we foster an opportunity to encounter and serve the suffering Christ in the poor. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my people, that you do unto me.” (Matt 25:40)
