ROCKFORD—It may be only February but Bishop David Malloy wants to invite you to a Thanksgiving celebration — a thanksgiving Mass that is.

 

Each year diocesan Catholics are asked to contribute donations to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. Along with financial pledges, Catholics are also invited to contribute petitions for prayer. 

 

The financial donations are deposited to fund the work of the diocese through its parishes, schools and ministries and the prayers are deposited before the altar in the chapel at the Diocesan Administration Center. The petitions are offered up in prayer at each Mass said in the Diocesan Administration Center chapel, usually every weekday.

 

But Bishop Malloy has decided to take those prayers a step further. 

 

“It is important to give thanks to all those who trust us with their prayers and concerns. It is also important to thank God not just for answering our prayers according to His will, but for just listening to us too,” Bishop Malloy said.

 

“We want to give thanks to all those who contributed to the 2019 Diocesan Annual Appeal with their donations and with their petitions. And there is no better way to do that than in offering the greatest prayer of the Church and that is the celebration of Mass,” Bishop Malloy said.

 

The special Mass of Thanksgiving to wrap up the 2019 Annual Appeal has been scheduled for Thursday, March 26 at 6 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Peter. A special choir of young people will offer music for the Mass and a supper of light sandwiches will be served after the Mass in the parish hall. 

 

“We are very excited that Bishop Malloy is sharing such a special thank you to our donors and partners in prayer throughout this diocese. So many heartfelt prayer requests come in each year through the Diocesan Annual Appeal and we are grateful to give greater prayer power to these petitions,” said Denise Dobrowlowski, director of Charitable Giving.

 

The Mass is open to the public and will be streamed live on the Diocese of Rockford Facebook page. For more information about the Mass or annual appeal call the office of Charitable Giving at 815-399-4300.