A Message from Bishop Doran
October 2011

      Dear Friends in Christ:

     On the weekend of October 22 and 23, our diocesan parishes will hold the annual collection for the Missions Appeal which includes:  World Mission Sunday; Missions in the United States; The Church in Latin America; Membership in the Propagation of the Faith; and this year Rockford Diocesan Priests’ Pension .

I wish to focus on one of the causes, the Rockford Diocesan Priests’ Pension. This has been included for two reasons.  The first is that due to the economy; the pension fund is experiencing less earnings.  The second is that our number of retired diocesan priests is increasing and, by the grace of God, they are living longer and still serving where they are able.  While this need could be addressed through separate additional collections, upon recommendation of the Clergy Pension Board, I have decided to incorporate this collection into the Combined Collections and ask you for an additional generous response.

 In his 2011 World Mission Sunday letter, our Holy Father states the importance of the missionary activity of all Catholics:

“The World Mission Day itself is not an isolated moment in the course of the year but rather a valuable opportunity to pause and reflect on whether and how we respond to our missionary vocation; an essential response for the Church’s life.”
 

We are all called to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This most important role continues to be fulfilled through our diocesan priests, the religious priests and sisters, and lay persons who are missionaries throughout the world.

In this uncertain economy, I realize that there are many worthy causes seeking your financial assistance.  I know that many of you may be struggling financially.  I ask you to offer what you can to those who serve others even less fortunate than yourself.

     With every good wish for you, I remain...

     Cordially yours in Christ,

     The Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran, D.D., J.C.D.
                          Bishop of Rockford

World Mission Sunday   top of page
World Mission Sunday celebrates our unity as a worldwide community of believers and provides an opportunity to support the life-giving presence of local priests, religious and lay catechists among the suffering and poor of the Missions.  We encourage prayer, personal sacrifice and generous financial support for the more than 1,150 dioceses throughout the world.  Last year, the faithful of this Diocese contributed $284,012.50.

Missions in the United States   top of page
The Catholic Home Missions Appeal funds important pastoral projects in our poorer dioceses, where there are not enough resources to be self-sufficient. Eighty-seven dioceses in the United States are considered home missions. Visit their website: www.usccb.org/hm. Evangelization and 125 years of service among the Black, Indian, Eskimo and Aleute communities has been the singular purpose of the Black and Indian Mission Collection. Visit their website: www.blackandindianmission.org/bureau-of-catholic-indian-missions-2 .  Last year, the faithful of this Diocese contributed $62,729.24 which was equally divided between these two collections.