We promote stewardship as a way of life

Combined Appeals
for the Universal Catholic Church

What are the Combined Appeals for the Universal Catholic Church?
Every diocesan bishop in the United States is responsible to conduct numerous collections throughout the year for special needs of the Catholic Church. Each of these special collections began some time in the past to meet a specific identified need. Each collection has a specific date, almost one per month, and in most dioceses, are conducted as single collections after the normal offertory collection. In some dioceses there are fourteen single collections conducted throughout the year. 

In the Rockford Diocese, most of these single collections have been combined into three combined appeals.  They are called:

(conducted on the 3rd weekend of January)
Download 2008 English Flyer (in pdf)
Download 2008 Spanish Flyer (in pdf)

(conducted on the 2nd weekend of March)
Download 2008 Flyer in English (in pdf)
Download 2008 Flyer in Spanish (in pdf)

(conducted on the second to last weekend in October)
Download 2007 Flyer (English) (in pdf)
Download 2007 Flyer (Spanish) (in pdf)

At the time of each one of the combined appeals, each registered household will receive in the mail a brochure describing each of these collections and a contribution envelope.  On the Sunday before the collection, your priest will also describe the specific causes combined in that particular appeal.

How do I make a contribution and know that my intention is honored?
On the contribution envelope each donor has two options:

• Option 1 - Bishop Chooses.  In this option, the donor allows Bishop Doran to designate how the contribution will be allocated.  He could allocate it to any of the causes in the National, International or Mission Appeals.  This unrestricted gift will allow him to channel the resources to those that he thinks are most important.

• Option 2 - Donor Chooses.  In this option, the donor specifically indicates how he/she wishes the contribution to be allocated.  The donor may designate their gift to one, or two or to all of the specific causes.

How much should I contribute?
In the Rockford Diocese, each member is asked to strive to contribute 5% of their income to their parish, 1% to Diocesan Stewardship, and 4% to worthy causes.  From this latter 4% of income, Bishop Doran asks for a generous gift.  For some $50 is a sacrifice, for others a much larger amount reflects their need to make a sacrificial return to the Lord.

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