If you are reading this and think “Gee, I wonder why The Observer is so big this week?”
Well, it’s because this is the time of year when every single Catholic household registered in the Catholic Diocese of Rockford receives a copy of The Observer. And each year when we send so much important and inspiring content to a little over 80,000 households, everyone wants to publish their event.
Parishes and ministries want as many people as possible to see what is going on. Our faithful advertisers want to be part of this issue because they want their important messages to get to people who they value … people like you, readers of The Observer.
One of the cornerstones of this issue each year is the Diocesan Annual Appeal. I won’t go into why it’s important because you can read all about it beginning on page one of this paper and continuing inside to pages seven through 10. And I hope you
do read it.
Supporting the work of this diocese is important. It is also a great responsibility, not just for some, but for ALL of us.
Wanna know why?
There have always been important reasons to support the Annual Appeal and not just because it helps the bishop reach and teach as he was ordained to do, and not just because it helps thousands of people in need through Catholic Charities, and not just because it helps educate priests, deacons, catechists, supports schools, retired priests, etc., etc., etc.
But I would like to offer you 996 reasons that now is the time to contribute to the annual appeal.
That’s how many people were welcomed into the Catholic Church in our diocese this year at Easter. And yes, you read the number correctly. Last year diocesan leadership was in excited disbelief that the numbers were up 43 percent at 743 new Catholics. But this year we are just blown away.
So, something good is going on, and you can take part by helping the good work of our diocese and our parishes carry on.
And while you’re considering your contribution for the annual appeal, I pray that you say to yourself, “Hey, there seems to be a lot of good things in this newspaper. Some good things are happening, and I don’t want to miss out.”
If you find yourself saying that or just enjoying this issue of The Observer, please subscribe. For way less than any subscription to digital content or TV subscription you can get The Observer mailed to you for a year for just $30. That’s only $2.50 a month! Less than a cup of coffee or gallon of gas!
And what you get is worth it: Catholic content that is local and seeks to help build on the good that goes on in our 11-county diocese.
And if you are new to the Church and reading this, WELCOME. And thanks be to God for you! We are happy you are home. God loves you.
We’d love to have you as part of The Observer family of readers.
Now is the time.
