Collection for many groups this weekend

The annual Black, Native American and Latin American collection will be taken up on the first weekend of Lent, Feb. 28 and March 1, in parishes throughout the Albany Diocese.

The collection, conducted annually since 1885, "helps significantly to support the Church's mission of evangelization and of compassionate response to the plight of some of the neediest people in our country and in Latin America," according to Rev. Geoffrey Burke, diocesan chancellor for personnel and public information.

Donations assist dioceses that are unable to support missionaries in their ministry on behalf of Afro-Americans and Native Americans.

For the past 37 years, the collection also has included the needs of the Church in Latin America, thus enabling it "to support large numbers of programs and leadership training to advance the building of strong communities of faith," Father Burke added.

Money raised for the Church in Latin America is used to support programs in 766 dioceses in Mexico, Caribbean nations, Central America and Latin America, according to Rev. James Ronan, executive director of the Secretariat for Latin America. The Secretariat, based in Washington D.C., is the primary fund-raising arm in the United States for the Church in Latin America.

Father Ronan emphasized the importance of the collection to the advancement of the Church in Latin America among both laity and clergy.

"Across the hemisphere, we have received a tremendous amount of growth and understanding in the role of the laity and pastoral ministers," he said.

In 1997, the Albany Diocese raised $107,090 for the Afro-American and Native American missions, and $10,000 for the Committee for the Church in Latin America, making a total of $117,090. The Albany Diocese itself received a grant of $38,000 last year and has received more than $655,000 in grants since 1980.

In a letter read during Masses last weekend, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard urged Catholics in the Albany Diocese to contribute to the collection.

"It is with a grateful heart that I urge your support of this appeal with your spirit of generosity and concern for the needs of others," the letter read. "Know that your contribution will help advance the pastoral mission of the Church to our Black, Native American and Latin American sisters and brothers."

(02-26-98) [[In-content Ad]]