Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Cast the Light of Christ Upon the World. This theme of the 2009 Peter’s Pence Collection for the Works of the Holy Father echoes that of the Holy Father’s apostolic journey to the United States in April 2008 when he called upon the United States to “be the first friend of all who suffer.”
The collection will be taken up the weekend of June 27-28 and invites us to join Pope Benedict XVI in providing emergency assistance to those most in need — those who suffer as a result of war, oppression, famine, disease and natural disasters. When we contribute to this fund, we are actively supporting the Holy Father’s mission of Christ’s love for the poor and disadvantaged.
As we participate in this special appeal, we join with more than one billion Catholics worldwide in a loving expression of solidarity. We share in the concern of the successor of Peter for the many different needs of the universal church and for the relief of those most in need around the globe.
I ask you to give generously to this special collection for the charitable works of Pope Benedict XVI who depends on our support. Together let us ask the Lord to continue to bless our Holy Father and us, as well as those in need throughout the world. Be assured of my prayer-filled thanks for your ongoing generosity.
Yours in Christ,
Most Rev. Martin Amos
Bishop of Davenport
