TPMS

The Pontifical Mission Societies

The Pontifical Mission Societies (TPMS) are a worldwide network at the service of the Pope, supporting the missions and young Churches through prayer and charity. The four societies that comprise TPMS are:

  • Propagation of the Faith
  • Missionary Childhood Association
  • Society of St. Peter the Apostle
  • Pontifical Missionary Union

TPMS was founded by two women, a bishop, and a priest—each responding to the needs of the Church in their time.

 

The purpose of the Mission Societies

  • Proclaiming the Gospel and evangelizing communities that have never encountered Christ.
  • Building churches and chapels as gathering places of faith and worship.
  • Supporting mission priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay leaders who minister to the faithful.
  • Providing humanitarian aid, including food, education, and medical care to the most vulnerable.

Of the four, the two most familiar to people from our Diocese of Buffalo would be the “Propagation of the Faith” and the “Missionary Childhood Association.”

One of the most famous National Directors of the Pontifical Mission Societies of the USA and the Propagation of the Faith was the venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Buffalo Missionary Work

Because of the longstanding generosity of the people in the Diocese of Buffalo, our local office has had the means to personally reach out with assistance to various Mission ministries around the world.

This outreach may take the form of grants for certain projects as well as Mass Stipends for Mission Diocesan Priests.

St. Paul Parish Mundemba in the Diocese of Kumba/Cameroon

Since his ordination in 2022, Fr. Japheth Tibui has been spending his holiday/vacation period with us in Buffalo. Initially assisted for his ordination by ROTA Development Group, a local missionary organization founded by Fr. Ronald Sajdak, Fr. Japheth has development relationships with our local clergy and laity.

Their parish roof had been in disrepair for some time, but in 2025 heavy rain fell and some very strong winds made the roof collapse. Fr. Japheth reported, “When it came down, even the old dilapidated benches we were managing were all destroyed alongside the roof.” He mentioned that his parishioners, through very poor, have pulled funds together to begin the repair but they were far from completion. They often would celebrate mass in the shell of the church building even in the rain.

Our mission office was able to award them a building grant which assisted in putting on a new roof and begin to provide interior appointments so that their community’s spiritual life could continue.

Propagation of the Faith

The Society for the Propagation of the Faith exists to awaken the missionary spirit in every believer by fostering both spiritual and material support for spreading the Kingdom of God. Pauline Marie Jaricot was only 23 years old when she founded the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. Pauline believed that every Catholic, through her or his prayer and daily work, could participate in the Church’s missionary mandate. Her prayer circles began as a way to help her beloved France rediscover its faith and transform the world.

Recognizing its vital role in the universal mission of the Church, Pope Pius XI declared it a Pontifical Society on May 3, 1922, through the Motu Proprio Romanorum Pontificum.

Missionary Childhood Association

The Missionary Childhood Association, (MCA), nurtures a missionary spirit in children, encouraging them to share their faith and material resources—especially with their most vulnerable peers— while fostering vocations to missionary service. It serves as a vital tool for children to grow in faith and develop a sense of universal solidarity. Children pray for children. Children evangelize children. Children help children around the world.

The Missionary Childhood Association thrives when Catholic communities encourage children to:

  • Become witnesses of God’s love in their own surroundings.
  • Pray and think of children in other parts of the world who may be struggling.
  • Develop missionary hearts, growing in faith through acts of charity and solidarity.

Society of St. Peter Apostle

The Society of St. Peter Apostle (SPA) was established to support the formation of local clergy in mission territories. From the 16th to the 19th century, the Holy See repeatedly emphasized the importance of developing an indigenous clergy. While missionaries understood that their work would be incomplete without forming local priests, they often struggled with significant challenges—most notably, a lack of resources to establish seminaries and train seminarians. Missionaries frequently turned to benefactors, hoping to find a way forward.

Pontifical Missionary Union

The Pontifical Missionary Union, (PMU), is dedicated to deepening the missionary awareness of all Catholics—bishops, clergy, religious, and laity—by fostering a commitment to faith, prayer, witness, and charity. The PMU seeks to build one ecclesial communion where:

  • The Universal Church and local churches work together to spread the Gospel.
  • Newly founded churches, missionary institutes, religious communities, ecclesial movements, and lay groups all contribute to evangelization.
  • The Church dialogues with different cultures and religions, promoting the dignity of every person as a child of God.

Please remember the ministry of our local and/or national “The Propagation of the Faith”

In your Will
As a beneficiary of your Life Insurance Policy
In your Annual Distribution from your Retirement Account and/or Annuity.

For more information contact Fr. Ron Sajdak at 716-847-8773, filling out the form below or checking out our national office at www.pontificalmissions.org  

Let us all BE as well as SUPPORT our Church’s Missionaries.