Thousands of Catholic school students gathered at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on Wednesday to celebrate raising more than $72,900 to help underserved children around the world.
Archbishop José H. Gomez served as the principal celebrant of the 2026 Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass, which recognized students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts during the 2025-26 school year.
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Bishop Matthew Elshoff gives a homily on kindness and generosity during the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students say the prayers of petition during the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Archbishop José H. Gomez leads the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students receive communion during the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Catholic school students receive communion during the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Catholic school students attend the Missionary Childhood Association Youth Appreciation Mass recognizing students from 39 Catholic schools for their fundraising efforts at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. The students raised over $70,000 to help underserved children around the world according to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Students from Catholic schools and religious education programs throughout the three-county archdiocese raised $72,925.64 through the Missionary Childhood Association, which supports programs benefiting children in underserved communities worldwide.
Among the projects supported by the fundraising efforts is a nutrition program in the Vicariate of Inirida in Colombia, where many families in remote Amazon communities face difficulties obtaining sufficient food.
The program provides regular meals for 200 preschool-age children through community dining facilities operating five days a week for eight months of the year, according to the archdiocese.
The Mass also commemorated the 100th anniversary of World Mission Sunday, which will be observed Oct. 18. This year’s theme, selected by Pope Leo XIV, is “One in Christ, United in Mission.”
A second-class relic of Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, consisting of a piece of his vestment, was set to be available for veneration during the celebration, officials said.
According to the archdiocese, Sheen was declared blessed Sept. 24 and served with the Pontifical Mission Societies from 1950 to 1966, helping raise awareness of the Catholic Church’s missionary work around the world.
Two finalists in the 2025-26 National Missionary Childhood Association Christmas Artwork Contest were also recognized.
They are Jewel Diep, an eighth-grader at All Souls World Language Catholic School in Alhambra, and Matilda Huizar, a fourth-grader at Incarnation Catholic School in Glendale.
Both students received framed prints of their artwork, with the original pieces scheduled to be displayed at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., during Advent.
Three winners of the Lay Mission-Helpers Association’s essay contest on the importance of missionary work will each receive a $500 Msgr. Brouwers Memorial Scholarship.
Following the Mass, students participated in a dance party on the cathedral plaza. Missionary organizations also offered exhibits and interactive activities.
The Missionary Childhood Association is part of the Pontifical Mission Societies, which support Catholic missionary efforts and promote awareness of the needs of children in disadvantaged communities.
The annual Mass recognizes the contributions of Catholic school and religious education students who help support schools, orphanages, nutrition programs and other services for children worldwide.