National Churches Benefit From Collections

The Collection for the Church in Eastern Europe, which traditionally has been scheduled for the first Sunday of Lent, has been moved to the last Sunday in August. This collection is taken in territorial parishes.

The special collections for the Church in Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia will be taken up in the respective national parishes on the same Sunday. These particular collections will continue to be taken only in the national churches.

The Collection to Aid the Church in Central and Eastern Europe – whose theme is HOPE – tells a story of strength, vitality, growth, and determination of our Catholic family in the East. Proceeds from this collection go directly to support seminaries, social service programs, youth ministry, pastoral centers, church restoration, and the spreading of the Gospel message through the mass media. Pastors are asked to forward proceeds by Sept. 15 to the Finance Office.

The Lithuanian Catholic Religious Aid is the only agency in the West working exclusively on behalf of the Catholic Church in Lithuania. The annual collection has enabled the Church to carry out its multi-faceted efforts to bring about the spiritual, social and moral rebirth of the Lithuanian nation after many years of atheistic indoctrination. Please forward proceeds by Sept. 15 to Monsignor Peter P. Madus, V.F., St. Joseph’s Rectory, 116 Theodore Street, Scranton, Pennsylvania 18508.

The Catholic League for Religious Assistance to Poland has been helping the Church in Poland since 1943. Proceeds from this collection make possible the canonical and formational education of the Polish clergy to take over leadership roles in diocese and seminaries. Proceeds from the collection also allow the Catholic League to assist churches, religious sisters and brothers throughout Poland. Please forward proceeds by Sept. 15 to Father Charles W. Rokosz, Holy Rosary Rectory, 127 Stephenson Street, Duryea, Pennsylvania 18642.

The Slovak Catholic Federation Appeal greatly assists the Church in Slovakia by sponsoring men in priestly formation. The proceeds are used to help maintain the Pontifical College and Institute of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Rome. This is a graduate house of studies for priests from Slovakia who are sent to advance their theological studies. Please forward proceeds by Sept. 15 to Ms. Dolores M. Evanko, National Secretary-Treasurer, Slovak Catholic Federation, 173 Berner Avenue, Hazleton, Pennsylvania 18201.