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A Message from Bishop Doran
January 2008
 “Within
the community of believers there can never be room for a poverty that denies
anyone what is needed for a dignified life.”
(Pope Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est, no. 20)
Dear
Friends in Christ,
Can a simple letter produce a bold
response of solidarity? I hope so because…
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The lives and futures of 37 million
Americans who are living in poverty are at stake. For 36 years, the Catholic
Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has stood with poor and low-income
people, helping them create permanent solutions to poverty;
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the 37,870 religious, mostly women,
who are now past 70 years of age need nursing and
health care that the Retirement Fund for Religious provides;
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the modern culture exercises an
undue negative influence on our children. Through the
Catholic Communications Campaign and our diocesan office of
Communication, a significant effort is provided to bring the Good News using
print, radio and TV that enriches and nurtures our children’s faith; and
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many worthy students who would not
be able to afford attending the Catholic University of
America receive scholarships through this collection. This Catholic
institution forms Catholic leaders for the Church and nation.
Please join with me in supporting these worthy causes by your prayers and
generous donation.
With every personal good wish, I remain
Cordially yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Thomas G. Doran,
D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Rockford
Retirement
Fund for Religious
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74 is the average age of retirement from compensated ministry for
women and men religious. 19,521 religious are at institutes that have less than
20 percent of the amount projected for the costs of living and health care in
retirement. 5,452 religious need skilled nursing care. 37,870 religious, mostly
women, are past age 70. Historically, younger members of religious Institutes
cared for elderly members. Today the costly health care environment presents a
significant challenge. Last year donors from this Diocese contributed $224,459
to this cause.
Catholic
Campaign for Human Development
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The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the Catholic Church's
anti-poverty program in the US. It supports low income people as they work to
bring long term change to their lives and communities. CCHD provides educational
programs to help Catholics to reflect on their faith and build solidarity across
economic lines. CCHD raises awareness about the root causes of poverty in our
country and our faith based call to address it. Last year donors from this
Diocese contributed $81,051 to this cause. A fourth of this collection remains
in this Diocese to fund projects benefiting the poor.
Catholic
Communication Campaign
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As a result of your support of the Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC),
Catholics and all media consumers have increased opportunities to find
Gospel-grounded messages and resources to strengthen their families and their
faith. Half of all donations received will remain in our diocese to fund local
Catholic communication efforts. Visit
www.CatholicCommunicationCampaign.org for national program
information... Last year donors from this Diocese contributed $63,506 to this
cause.
Catholic
University of America
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Catholic University of America is unique as the national University
of the Catholic Church and the only higher education institution founded by the
US bishops and chartered by the Vatican. It has a special responsibility to
educate future leaders for our Church and for our nation. Your contribution
directly benefits students by funding scholarships for those who would not
otherwise be able to attend.
Grounded in the philosophy of Catholic intellectual tradition, students are well
prepared to make a difference in today's world.
Last year $7,500 was sent to CUA from donations given to this appeal.
Donate Now!
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