DIOCESE—The third combined appeal in the Rockford Diocese this year will take place Oct. 15-16 at parishes throughout the diocese.

 

Instead of holding nine weeks of separate collections at parishes, this one collection benefits the following appeals:

 

â–º World Mission Sunday is a unique, global effort for the entire Church to help build up over 1,000 local churches in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe;

 

â–º Black and Indian Mission Collection provides grants to operate schools, parishes and other missionary services;

 

â–º The Catholic Home Missions assists poorer dioceses in the U.S. (more than 40% of U.S. diocese are considered home missions);

 

â–º The Church in Latin America supports seminarians, religious, catechists and pastoral ministry efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean;

 

â–º The Church in Africa helps the Church in African countries which is growing but lacks enough resources;

 

â–º In the Diocese of Rockford, this collection assists Catholic elementary schools in need and also the priests retirement pension plan.

 

â–º Finally, Catholics are invited through this appeal to become members of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, an international association founded in 1822. Members pray daily for the Church’s missionary work, offer their personal crosses for the redemption of men and women, and donate financially as they can throughout the year.

 

“Every Christian is called to be a missionary — to bear witness to Christ,” says Bishop David Malloy in his appeal letter. He adds, “Your support of our annual Mission Appeal helps our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to share the vital Gospel message of salvation both in our own country and abroad.”

 

Donors can use the envelopes provided to designate which appeal(s) they wish to support or to opt for supporting Bishop Malloy’s choice of the appeals.