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A Message from Bishop Doran
March 2011
Dear Friends in Christ:
On the weekend of March 12 and 13, our diocesan
parishes will conduct the collection for the International Appeal. This
Appeal includes: Peter’s Pence, Catholic Relief Services, Aid to Central
and Eastern Europe, and the Rockford Diocese’s Response to World-wide
Disasters and Needs. Information about these worthy causes is
found within this brochure.
As I did in my letter for the National Appeal, I
wish to focus on one of these causes, Peter’s Pence. This collection
allows the Holy Father to support victims of disaster, war and
oppression, and others in most need of emergency assistance. The Pope,
as pastor of the Universal Church, is attentive to the material needs of
poor dioceses, religious institutes, and the faithful in grave
difficulties.
A couple of examples of how our Holy Father has
used some of the resources from this collection include:
- Nazareth Boys Town in Mbare, Rwanda, which
provides for abandoned orphans who are victims of genocide and civil
war.
- The Hospital of St. Vincent de Paul in Saravejo,
Bosnia, a health institution staffed by religious, was established
with support from this Collection.
I am very much aware of the economic hard times
many of our families and friends are suffering. I ask you to sacrifice
what you can for the Holy Father’s Collection and the other three worthy
causes that benefit from this International Appeal.
In Pope Benedict XVI’s Encyclical Caritas in
Veritate, he reminds us, “To love someone is to desire that person’s
good and to take effective steps to secure it” (no.7).
With every personal good wish, I remain
Cordially yours in Christ,
The Most Reverend Thomas
G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Rockford
Peters
Pence
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Click on graphic above to go
to the PPC web site
We can show our solidarity with the
Holy Father and our suffering brothers and sisters abroad through our
support of this Collection. These funds allow him to provide emergency
assistance to victims of war, disaster, oppression, and disease.
Because of your generosity, Pope Benedict XVI will be able to help
millions of people around the world quickly and effectively. Your
important contributions are truly helping the Holy Father to make a
difference for those most in need. Last year, the people of the Diocese
contributed $159,012 to this collection.
Catholic Relief Services Collection
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Click on graphic above to go
to the CRS web site
Catholic Relief Services is the International Relief and
Development Program of the Catholic Church in the U.S. Your gift
will support agricultural development to strengthen economies
and create food and sustainability, provide outreach services to
survivors of human trafficking and supply pastoral care advocacy
for immigrants and refugees. For more information visit: Last
year, the people of this Diocese contributed $133,803 to this
appeal.
Aide to the
Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe
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Click on graphic above to go
to the AEE web site
This Collection supports the
essential and unmet pastoral needs of the church in the region.
One example is the Poor Clares in Poland who received a central
heating system through this collection. Without the heat, the
sisters have been falling ill frequently in the long, cold
Eastern European winters, affecting their ministry of prayer.
Great needs remain in the Church in Central and Eastern Europe.
For more information visit: Last year the people of the Diocese
contributed $46,797 to this appeal.
World-wide and US Disaster Relief Fund: Rockford Diocese Response
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Whenever a natural disaster occurs and/or a significant need exists,
Bishop Doran receives numerous petitions for financial assistance from
his brother bishops in the affected area. With the creation of this
fund, he has resources available to respond. He responds in name of the
people of the Rockford Diocese and sends our concern for their
wellbeing. This past year Bishop Doran sent $50,000 to the Conventual
Franciscan Friars to assist their ministry and provide for the pastoral
needs of the people in Matugga, Uganda.
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