Peter’s Pence Collection for the Works of the Holy Father

The Peter’s Pence Collection to aid the charitable works of our Holy Father Pope John Paul II will be be taken up in parishes throughout the New Ulm diocese on June 30, 2002.

The theme of this year’s collection is: A Listening Heart, A Helping Hand, A Better World. It is a theme summoning the faithful to become tangibly involved in dispensing charity to those most in need. It likewise echoes the summons issued in Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Novo Millennio Inuente in which he urges the faithful to stake everything on charity.

Of the monies collected, 98 cents of each dollar directly supports the Holy Father’s charities. Proceeds aid the most needy throughout the world - those suffering as a result of war, oppression, famine, and natural disasters. This is an opportunity for the faithful to join in partnership with the Holy Father to help relieve the suffering of the world’s most vulnerable.

The Church, in its ongoing efforts to bring about a just economic order in which all without exception will be treated with dignity, continuously seeks to work in collaboration with those who share this vision. In January, Pope John Paul II invited representatives of the world’s religions to a day of prayer for peace in Assisi, Italy. Two hundred religious leaders joined the Holy Father in praying for peace and recommitting themselves to do everything possible to eliminate the root causes of terrorism, to foster peace in the world, and to aid those who have little or no voice - the poor, helpless, marginalized, and exploited.

Please pray for the Holy Father and please give generously in your parish June 30, 2002.