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for the Universal Catholic Church
Download 2009 Flyer (English) (in pdf)
Download 2009 Flyer (Spanish) (in pdf)

Supporting:
+World Mission Sunday
+Missions in the United States
+Church in Latin America
+Membership in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith


A Message from Bishop Doran
October 2009

      Dear Friends in Christ:

      Do you know the date of your Baptism?

     On that day, you became a missionary, called by our Lord to share your faith with those around you – and be a part of the Church’s mission to the world.  

     Jesus directed His followers to go into the world and proclaim His Gospel of His love for us – to all peoples (see Mark 16:15). That mission is now directed to each one of us.  

      In his annual Message for World Mission Sunday His Holiness, Benedict XVI, states:

 The nations will walk in its light (Rev 21:24). The goal of the Church’s mission is to illumine all peoples with the light of the Gospel as they journey through history towards God, so that in Him they may reach their full potential and fulfillment. We should have a longing and a passion to illumine all people with the light of Christ that shines on the face of the Church, so that all may be gathered into the one human family under God’s loving fatherhood.

       Through this Combined Collection for the Missions we have the opportunity to be a part of the Church’s missionary work in Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Pacific Islands and here in the United States. Please be generous with your prays and donations to those working in the missions

     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
As Catholics around the world gather at the Eucharistic table, we pray for the Church’s missionary efforts. We pray for those awaiting the Good News of God’s love for them. Through our financial help, more than 1,150 dioceses are being assisted in many ways. To find out more visit the Pontifical Mission Societies’ website: http://www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org. Last year, the faithful of this Diocese contributed $272,984.

Missions in the United States   top of page
Fr. Scott Garrett, from the Archdiocese of Anchorage, prepares Mass in the kitchen of a local parishioner.  Administering the Sacraments in mission territories often requires adapting to unique locations and situations. The Archdiocese of Anchorage has 11,500 Catholic families, 140,000 square miles and only 30 active priests. Sadly such shortages are often in the U.S. mission dioceses.  Visit their website: www.usccb.org/hm. The Black and Indian Collection, established in 1884, is the embodiment of the Church’s concern for evangelizing the Black and Indian peoples of the US and the Eskimo and Aleut peoples of Alaska. Last year, the faithful of this Diocese contributed $60,293 which was equally divided between these two collections.

The Church in Latin America   top of page
This Appeal supports the Rockford Diocese’s connection with the Diocese of Chulucanas in Peru. Our sister diocese uses our $10,000 gift in order to train leaders in the promotion of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan. Currently Father Schuessler, a priest of this Diocese, is serving there, and receives supplemental assistance from this appeal to meet his basic needs. Visit their website: http://diocesisdechulucanas.org/index.html. $5,000 from the collection also is sent to the US Bishops’ Office for Latin America which provides grants to dioceses, parishes, religious congregations, seminaries in Latin America and the Caribbean to assist in the formation of priests, religious, lay ministers, missionaries, pastoral workers, catechists, and youth ministers. Visit their website: www.usccb.org/latinamerica.

Membership in the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (SPF)   top of page
Would you consider making an extra special commitment to the missionary work of the Church as a member of the Propagation of the Faith? Here is what you can do…

     • Pray daily for the Church’s missionary work by saying one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be.
       St. Francis Xavier, pray for us. St. Thérèse of Lisieux, pray for us.
     • Offer your personal cross in union with the suffering of Christ for the redemption of unknown men
       and women.
     • Donate to this appeal and whenever you can during the year, and

By designating this appeal on the Mission Appeal envelope, your name and address will be sent to the National SPF Office. Last year 1,074 people signed up and contributed $17,074.

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