Bishop's letter on special collection

My Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:

In Central and Eastern Europe, Catholics are often in the minority. In a country like the Republic of Azerbaijan, there are few resources to sustain the Catholic Church's charitable works, run parishes and educate people for ministry. In spite of these obstacles, a strong foundation for a revitalized Church has been set, and Catholics continue to grow in faith and numbers.

The theme for the 2012 Collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, "Christ is the LIGHT Which Illumines the Way," is the reality of a people who rely greatly on a strong Catholic faith and Catholic charitable organizations to bring the hope and light of Christ to these people of Central and Eastern Europe.

Your gifts to this collection will provide support to organizations like Mother Teresa of Calcutta's Missionaries of Charity who bring food and medical care to the poor and elderly. Funds from this collection help strengthen the local churches with faith formation and pastoral projects and scholarship programs for Catholic students who will become the leaders of the Church in the region.

I thank you for your continued support in this effort to assist our Catholic brothers and sisters in Central and Eastern Europe. May our gracious God bless you abundantly for your generosity.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Howard J. Hubbard
Bishop of Albany[[In-content Ad]]