ROCKFORD—Diocesan Catholics are again invited to a Mass of thankgiving, and this year it will be in person.

 

Each year diocesan Catholics are asked to contribute donations to the Diocesan Annual Appeal. Along with financial pledges, Catholics are also invited to contribute petitions for prayer.  The financial donations are deposited to fund the work of the diocese through its parishes, schools and ministries, and the prayers are deposited before the altar in the chapel at the Diocesan Administration Center.  The petitions are offered up in prayer at each Mass said in the chapel, usually every day.

 

But Bishop David Malloy has decided to take those prayers a step further. 

 

“It is important to give thanks to all those who trust us with their prayers and concerns. It is also important to thank God not just for answering our prayers according to His will, but for just listening to us too,” Bishop Malloy said.

 

“We want to give thanks to all those who contributed to the 2022 Diocesan Annual Appeal with their donations and with their petitions. And there is no better way to do that than in offering the greatest prayer of the Church and that is the celebration of Mass,” Bishop Malloy said.

 

The special Mass of Thanksgiving to wrap up the 2022 Annual Appeal has been scheduled for March 8 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Rita Parish, 6254 Valley Knoll Dr., Rockford.  

 

“Ever since we began receiving prayer intention requests from donors we’ve seen the number of requests increase each year,” said Claudia Broman, director of Charitable Giving at the diocese. “In the past year we’ve had more than 3,400 prayer requests come to the diocese — more than in any other year — and all these intentions reflect the material needs and spiritual lives of our parishioners. It is a blessing to pray for all these intentions.”

 

The Mass is open to the public. For more information about the Mass or annual appeal call the office of Charitable Giving at 815-399-4300.