March Appeal Helps International Programs
Appeal Weekend March 13-14
By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
March 4, 2021
DIOCESE—The annual International Appeal will be collected in parishes of the Rockford Diocese the weekend of March 13-14.
The appeal provides Catholics of the diocese with an opportunity to support many works of mercy and charity around the world. It is the second of the three diocesan combined collections in 2021 that support the Universal Church and allows parishioners to support their choice of one or more charitable efforts at one time.
This one collection will help four international causes along with two special diocesan appeals.
Peter’s Pence: This collection provides the pope with funds he can use to respond to needs around the world, including victims of war and oppression and those of natural and other disasters.
Last year, the people of our diocese contributed $116,481 to this collection.
Aid to the Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe: The fall of communism seems long ago, but the Church lost so much under it, that it continues to rebuild after so many years of having churches confiscated or destroyed. Your support will help to rebuild churches, fund seminary programs and provide ministries and education for children and families.
Last year the faithful of the diocese contributed $15,014 to this collection.
Catholic Relief Services Collection: Catholic Relief Services works around the world on every continent to help address the needs of victims of persecution and disasters and those who are living in poverty, providing immediate assistance and helping people develop skills or acquire education and resources to work their way out of poverty.
Last year, $49,350 was distributed to this collection.
Worldwide and U.S. Disaster Relief Fund Rockford Diocese Response: Every year, Bishop David Malloy receives numerous petitions for financial assistance from areas near and far that have been impacted by disasters.
He also receives requests from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and sometimes wishes to respond after hearing news reports of tragedies.
With the creation of this fund, he has resources available to respond on behalf of the people of the Rockford Diocese. This past year, Bishop Malloy distributed a total of $12,500 to Hurricane Laura disaster relief.
Diocesan Appeals: Catholic Elementary School Financial Support for the Diocese of Rockford helps underprivileged schools in the Diocese of Rockford to continue to educate and provide religious and moral formation to their students.
This collection provided $150,000 to needy schools in our diocese last year as they worked to serve students amidst the pandemic.
Rockford Diocesan Priests’ Pension will help our priests who often in retirement continue to offer Mass, serve as spiritual leaders, minister to the sick and provide other pastoral support. The pension currently helps support our 43 retired priests and those who will retire in the future.
Last year, the faithful of our diocese contributed $118,295.
“There are people who suffer daily from hunger, violence, and atrocities from war,” said Bishop Malloy, who calls the 2021 International Appeal “an opportunity to help others this Lent. ... Please be generous as you prayerfully consider your contribution.”
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