June 3, 2012
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
A special collection will be taken next weekend for Catholic Home Missions and the Black and Indian Missions. Your contributions provide vital support to impoverished Catholic communities within the United States.
The Catholic Home Missions Appeal supports the poorer mission dioceses in America in numerous ways, including priest formation, youth ministry, catechesis and evangelization. Contributions to the appeal go directly to the bishops of these dioceses who cannot offer their people even basic pastoral services without outside help. For example, last year’s appeal enabled the mission Diocese of Biloxi, Mississippi, to provide sign language training to its seminarians. Nearly one-quarter of the hearing-impaired individuals in the Biloxi region are Catholic.
The Annual Collection for the Black and Indian Missions echoes the announcement by Pope Benedict XVI for a special “Year of Faith.” The theme for this year’s collection is “Faith: Anchored in Jesus, Alive in Mission.” Your donations will enhance the Church’s evangelization programs among African American and Native American children and adults in Catholic communities on reservations, in rural areas and in inner cities.
Through our evangelization and financial support, we are witnesses of our faith to the missions right here in our country. Together let us stand in union with the Holy Father as he calls us to a deeper faith and relationship with the Lord Jesus through our caring for our brothers and sisters in need.
With every prayerful wish, I am
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Gerald M. Barbarito
Bishop of Palm Beach
