Annual Mission Appeal Final Request for the Year
Oct. 17-18 Mission Appeal Weekend
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
October 1, 2020
DIOCESE—“Missionaries are still on the move, still serving, but perhaps in new ways,” says Bishop David Malloy in his letter announcing the annual diocesan Mission Appeal.
The final appeal for 2020, the Mission Appeal supports several important appeals in one combined collection.
â–º World Mission Sunday, which is a global effort for the entire Church to provide for the building up of over one thousand local churches in Asia and Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe. Last year the Diocese distributed $48,479 for World Mission Sunday.
Info: https://www.missio.org/
â–º The Catholic Home Missions Appeal funds important pastoral projects in poorer dioceses. More than 40% of dioceses in the United States are considered home missions. Last year the Diocese distributed $34,575 for Catholic home missions. Info: www.usccb.org
â–º The Black and Indian Mission Collection (BIMC) gives grants to dioceses across the country to operate schools, parishes, and other missionary services that build the Body of Christ in Native American, Alaska Native, and Black Catholic communities. The Diocese gave $34,575 last year to this appeal. Info: www.blackandindianmission.org
â–º The Church in Latin America appeal helps the Church, including religious sisters and nuns serving there. Our generosity helps ensure that their service to children and entire families continues into the future. Last year, this Diocese sent $22,839 to the U.S. Bishops’ Office for Latin America last year.
Info: www.usccb.org/latinamerica
â–º This appeal also supports the Church in Africa, in countries including Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Zimbabwe. The Church in Africa is growing rapidly, and the funds sent from here help ensure that all the faithful have access to resources to help them grow in the faith. Last year through this collection the Diocese distributed $27,074 for this effort.
â–º All are invited to make a special commitment to the missionary work of the Church as a member of the Propagation of the Faith. Its members pray daily for the Church’s missionary work, offer personal crosses for the redemption of unknown men and women and donate financially. To join in this special missionary effort, designate this appeal on the Mission Appeal envelope. Your name and address will be sent to the National SPF Office. Last year $7,051 was contributed.
Two other, diocesan appeals are included in this Mission Appeal. Contributions may be made by check or online.
â–º Catholic Elementary School Financial Support assists schools with operating deficits. Last year’s collections allowed the diocese to provide $167,000 to needy schools in the Rockford Diocese last year.
â–º A second diocesan appeal is for the Rockford Diocesan Priests’ Pension, which helps our retired priests continue to serve as counselors, ministers to the sick, in parishes and in other ways. The diocese has a pension plan to support the 46 currently retired priests and those who will retire in the future. Last year, the faithful of our Diocese contributed $154,903 to this collection.
“Each of us is called, as a missionary of Christ, to proclaim our faith and encourage others, near and far, to grow closer to our Lord,” says Bishop Malloy in his appeal letter.
The collection will be taken up the weekend of Oct. 17-18 this year. Info: www.rockforddiocese.org/donate
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