National Collections

National Collections

My Dear Catholic People:
Each parish is part of the Church Universal; it is the Catholic Church in a particular place. The bishops of the United States created the national collections so that, by combining resources, we can more effectively carry out our mission as Catholics. Each of these important collections is worthy of your support. Each collection represents our community of faith at work in the world, saving souls and improving lives.
I encourage you to view the national collections in the light of stewardship and of sharing. God has given us our life and our prosperity, all we need and more. It is right and just that we give something back through these collections, helping people in our own country and around the world to live better and to grow in the love of Jesus.

Most Rev. William S. Skylstad
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants…(Matthew 5:41-42)

National collections were created by the bishops of the United States to support the church’s works of social justice, evangelization and education both in our country and across the world. By participating in the national collections, you become the hands and feet of the greater Catholic Church. Your generous financial gifts, combined with those of Catholics from all over the United States, provide relief, educational services, food, equipment, and support under the banner of Catholic Stewardship across our own nation as well as around the globe.

National collections occur at various times during the year. When you see the specialty envelope in your monthly packet, please be generous in your support of these worthwhile national collections.

Pax Christi participates in the national collections listed below.

Date of Occurrence

National Collection Name: Collected January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010
Good Friday
4/2/10 Collection for the Holy Land
The Collection for the Holy Land, in the words of Paul VI, is "not only for the Holy Places but above all for those pastoral, charitable, educational, and social works which the Church supports in the Holy Land for the welfare of their Christian brethren and of the local communities." www.custodia.org/com

Last Sunday
in April
4/25/10 Catholic Home Missions
It provides assistance to poor parishes across the United States.

Global Solidarity Sunday
6/06/10

The Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis
combines these four national
collections into Global Solidarity Sunday. Proceeds from collections are divided between the three national
collections.

Collection for the Church in Latin America
Through its grants and partnerships, CLA supports catechetical and lay leadership programs, youth ministry, evangelization programs, and formation programs for religious, priests, and deacons. CLA is making it possible for the Catholic faithful in the Western hemisphere to help each other.

Aid to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe
It provides assistance with needy families, modernizing of communications, media, leadership training, rebuild churches in disrepair, and support.

Catholic Relief Services
The collection supports the ministries of five Catholic Church organizations: Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC), Migration and Refugee Services (MRS), Social Development and World Peace (SDWP), and The Holy Father's Relief Fund.

Solidarity with Africa Collection
Pastoral Solidarity Fund for the Church in Africa to finance pastoral projects for pastoral care, formation of seminarians and clergy, Catholic education, youth ministry, catechesis, and social communications.

Sunday nearest the Feast of
St. Peter and St. Paul (June/July)
6/27/10 Peter's Pence
The Peter's Pence Collection helps the Holy Father provide emergency assistance to suffering people throughout the world. Contributions to the Peter's Pence Collection are given directly by the Holy Father to individuals who are suffering from immediate emergencies as a result of war, oppression, and natural disasters.

Next to last
Sunday in October
10/24/10 World Mission Sunday
World Mission Sunday gathers support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs and needs of more than 1,150 mission dioceses in Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and remote regions of Latin America. The funds gathered on World Mission Sunday are distributed in the pope's name by the Society for the Propagation of the Faith-a Pontifical Mission Society. www.worldmissions-catholicchurch.org

Sunday before Thanksgiving
11/21/10 The Catholic Campaign for Human Development
According to their website (www.usccb.org/cchd) 37 million Americans live in poverty. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development works to uphold the dignity of human life by breaking the cycle of poverty across the United States through grants to local community-based groups who create jobs, improve education, and strengthen neighborhoods. 25% of the collection stays in our dioceses to fund local anti-poverty projects; 75% supports national grant and education programs.

2nd Sunday in December
12/10/10 Retirement Fund for Religious
It provides retirement planning, educational assistance, and grants to religious institutes for the retirement needs of priests, brothers, and sisters. www.usccb.org/nrro