ROCKFORD—On Oct.  28, St. Edward School, here,  will become the first recipient of funds from the collection called “Catholic Elementary School Financial Support for the Diocese of Rockford.”

This collection for needy Catholic elementary schools was included for the first time with all three combined appeals in 2014: the National Appeal (Jan. 18-19), International Appeal (March 8-9) and  the Oct. 18-19 Mission Appeal collection, which will be taken up at parishes this weekend.

Bishop David Malloy and other dignitaries from the diocese and parish are scheduled to be present also.

The collection, as explained in the brochures for the three combined appeals, notes that it is “a special way for you to assist the Diocese of Rockford in supporting schools that have operating deficits and need your help to become financially viable. Your support through prayer and donations will help our underprivileged schools continue to provide a quality education, and religious and moral formation in a world badly in need of Gospel values.”

Watch for coverage of this first check presentation in the Nov. 7 issue of The Observer.