By Amanda Hudson, News Editor
DIOCESE—The last of 2025’s combined collections in the Diocese of Rockford is the annual appeal to help Missions around the U.S. and the world.
The “One in Christ” Mission Appeal will be held the weekend of Oct. 11-12 at diocesan parishes. This collection will replace several individual collections, including:
– The Black and Indian Mission Collection provides grants to dioceses across the United States for schools, parishes and other missionary services to assist the Body of Christ in Native American, Alaska native and Black Catholic communities. This part of the appeal received $31,224 from the Rockford Diocese last year. Information: blackandindianmission.org
– The Church in Latin America Appeal assists the Brazilian Bishops’ Conference and Afro-Brazilian Catholic leaders, and missionaries to the Peruvian Amazon. Last year, this diocese gave $20,287 to this appeal. Information: www.usccb.org/latinamerica
– The Church in Africa is growing and needs support to provide resources and pastoral care. Last year’s contribution from the diocese to this appeal was: $25,422. Information: www.usccb.org/committees/church-africa
– The World Mission Sunday collection is a unique effort to build up over 1,000 local churches in Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America and Europe.
The diocese gave $42,587 to this part of the appeal last year. Information: missio.org
– The Catholic Home Missions Appeal assists poor dioceses — more than 40% of diocese in the U.S. are considered home missions. It helps those dioceses provide evangelization, religious education and ministry training to their faithful. This diocese gave $31,224 to this appeal last year. Information: usccb.org
– All are welcome to sign up for membership in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (SPF). Members pray daily for the Church’s missionary work, unite personal crosses for the redemption of those served by missions, and donate to SPF whenever they can during the year. By designating this part of the appeal, you will receive information from the National SPF Office. Last year $6,026 was contributed. Information: propfaith.net/onefamilyinmission/default.aspx
Two Rockford Diocese appeals that are part of this combined collection are:
– Catholic School Financial Support helps schools in the Rockford Diocese that have operating deficits. Last year, $57,500 was given to needy diocesan schools. Information: rockforddiocese.org/donate
– Rockford Diocesan Priests’ Pension supports the current and future retired priests of the diocese who have devoted their lives in service to the people of the diocese. Last year, $201,650 was contributed to this piece of the appeal. Information: rockforddiocese.org/donate
In his letter about the Mission Appeal, Bishop David Malloy explains that the Mission Appeal supports several Church efforts in one combined collection. He notes that “evangelization is carried out by meeting people where they are — geographically and in the context of culture. Our generous response to this Mission Appeal will help ensure that our brothers and sisters in the United States and abroad will have access to resources that will help build up the Church.
“Your gift makes it possible for today’s disciples to evangelize and share the Gospel message of salvation. Thank you for your support of this appeal!”
Information about the three annual combined collections is available at rockforddiocese.org/donate
