Collection aids Church in Europe

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Throughout years of being under communist rule, Catholic churches in many countries in Central and Eastern Europe suffered greatly. More than a decade after the Cold War, these countries are still in desperate need.

At Masses on May 23-24, parishes across the Albany Diocese will take up the annual Central and Eastern European collection in an effort to do their part to help.

The collection, which began in 1990, will be used to help 29 countries throughout Europe, including Bulgaria, Poland, Romania and Russia. Proceeds will go directly to efforts such as:

• training and formation for religious,

• social service programs,

• youth ministry,

• pastoral centers,

• the elderly and children in need,

• church restoration and

• spreading the Gospel through mass media.

Bishop Howard J. Hubbard expressed the need in a pulpit letter: “In Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, Catholics are often in the minority,” he said. “They sometimes have few resources to sustain their 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 this year’s collection is, “Believe in the power of the Spirit of Love.” The collection is focused on not only helping these countries overcome past struggles, but helping the European Catholic community grow into a future of hope.

As Bishop Hubbard stated in asking Catholics in the Albany Diocese to be generous in their giving: “God’s perfect love has sustained and strengthened the people and the Church, creating a new generation of believers while energizing those who clung to their faith through the darkest times. [[In-content Ad]]