Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,

Last weekend I mentioned there will be several special collections the next couple of months. Here is a little information about each of these missions in need of support. I invite you to take time to pray about how your family can help the following: 

Oct. 15: Second Collection for Hurricane Ian

Many of us know people, family and friends, who have been greatly impacted by the devastation brought by Hurricane Ian. Funds collected go to Catholic Relief Services to help those most in need recover and receive the support  needed during this difficult time.

Oct. 23: World Missions Sunday (WMS)

In 1926, Pope Pius XI instituted Mission Sunday for the whole Church with the first worldwide Mission Sunday collection in October 1927. Pope Francis reminded us that this annual initiative is the call to every Christian to bear witness to Christ, to participate in a mission of universal evangelization, and to seek strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit. Parishioners’ prayers and sacrifices on World Mission Sunday (WMS) will support priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay pastoral leaders who are proclaiming the Gospel, building the Church, and serving the poorest communities in territories covering more than half the globe.

Nov. 6: Collection for the Archdiocese Military Service (taken every third year)

The National Collection for the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS), was first approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2012, and is scheduled to be taken every three years on the Sunday before Veterans Day. We support the Archdiocese of Military Service, because unlike a traditional diocese, the AMS has no geographical boundaries, no parishes or parish registries, and receives no financial support from the U.S. Military or the U.S. Government. The AMS is the only U.S. diocese responsible for providing the same pastoral care and services readily available in every other U.S. Catholic diocese for the men and women who serve in all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Nov. 13: Campaign for Human Development

The collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development helps those working to end poverty in the United States.

Dec. 11: Retirement for Religious

The National Religious Retirement Office coordinates the annual national appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious and distributes financial assistance for retirement needs to eligible religious institutes. NRRO strives to support, educate and assist religious institutes in the United States to care for their elderly and frail members now, and in the future. NRRO aims to:

1. Raise funds for retired religious

2. Help religious institutes realistically assess their current retirement needs and implement planning

3. Educate religious institutes to allocate assets realistically

4. Develop educational tools, programs, services and resource materials that enable religious institutes to address retirement wisely