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A Message from Bishop Doran
March 2010
Dear Friends in Christ:
During Pope Benedict XVI’s historic journey to the
United States, he made a call to action for the Church in the United
States:
“In the finest traditions of the
Church in this country, may you also be the first friend of the poor,
the homeless, the stranger, the sick and all who suffer. Act as beacons
of hope, casting the light of Christ upon the world.”
-Pope Benedict XVI, Homily at
St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York, April 19, 2008
Every year, when the International Appeal is taken up in
this Diocese to support the works of the Holy Father, Catholic Relief
Services, Aid to the former Communist Countries, and to our own diocesan
disaster and relief fund, you have been extraordinarily generous.
As our Holy Father exhorted us, let us be beacons of
hope to those of our brothers and sisters who are most in need.
Let us answer the call to cast the light of Christ upon
the world. I ask you to be generous in the upcoming International
Appeal. Together, let us ask the Lord to bless all those in need
throughout the world.
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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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. Visit
www.usccb.org/ppc. Last year, the
people of the Diocese contributed $154,380 to this collection.
Catholic Relief Services Collection (CRS)
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 Through your support Catholic Relief
Services gives hope to Jesus in disguise. You give hope to the community
that has lost its livelihood to a crop disease. You give hope to the
refugee child, separated from her mother. You give hope to the
immigrant, trying to keep faith alive in a foreign land. The Catholic
Relief Services Collection helps to fund programs that give hope to
refugees, immigrants, and the impoverished, including victims of war,
natural disaster, and drought. Through humanitarian, economic, pastoral,
and advocacy efforts, The Catholic Relief Services Collection gives
hope. For more information visit:
http://www.usccb.org/crs/. Last year, the people of this Diocese
contributed $132,489 to this appeal.
 Aide to the
Catholic Church in Central and Eastern Europe
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Great needs remain in
the Church in Central and Eastern Europe. Some parishes still need a
proper place to celebrate Mass. Some dioceses cannot maintain necessary
social and charitable works. Most cannot support basic pastoral work.
Please be generous to the Collection for the Church in Central and
Eastern Europe. Give faith to the future. For more information visit:
http://www.usccb.org/aee/. Last
year the people of the Diocese contributed $46,334 to this appeal.
World-wide and US Disaster Relief Fund: Rockford Diocese Response
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Whenever a natural disaster occurs,
Bishop Doran receives numerous petitions for financial assistance from
his brother bishops in the affected areas. With the creation of this
fund, he has resources available to respond. He responds in the name of
the people of the Rockford Diocese and sends our concern for their
wellbeing. This past year Bishop Doran sent $25,000 to assist with
relief work after an earthquake occurred in southern Italy; $5,000 to
the Archdiocese of Manila to offer assistance after a typhoon and
$15,000 to the Diocese of Samoa for relief after an earthquake and
tsunami.
Donate Now!
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