US Catholics Invited to Support Francis' Charity Work

Catholics in the United States have the opportunity to support Pope Francis in his charitable works throughout the world by contributing to the Peter’s Pence Collection. Most dioceses will hold the Peter’s Pence Collection the weekend of June 29-30th. 

The 2013 theme is “Be a Pilgrim of Charity” and emphasizes the role of Catholics in allowing Christ’s love to reach others.

“The Peter’s Pence Collection gives each person in the pews around the United States an opportunity to enter the most suffering areas of our world as a pilgrim of charity with Pope Francis,” said Archbishop Dennis Schnurr of Cincinnati, chairman of the bishops' Committee on National Collections.

This worldwide collection supports church needs and humanitarian activities, through support for victims of war, oppression, religious persecution, natural disasters and other human promotion projects around the world. It also assists seminaries and institutes of Christian formation in developing countries. 

During his Urbi et Orbi message on Easter, Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to serve others in need.

“Let us be renewed by God’s mercy … and let us become agents of this mercy, channels through which God can water the earth, protect all creation and make justice and peace flourish,” he said.

More information about Peter’s Pence and other national collections can be found atwww.usccb.org/about/national-collections/.