• Enable the Holy Father to respond with immediate emergency assistance to the most disadvantaged throughout the world—those who suffer as a result of war, oppression, and natural disasters.

• Involve the more than one billion Catholics worldwide in supporting the Holy Father’s mission, an active expression of Christ’s love for the poor.

• Have totaled more than $190 million in contributions by dioceses of the United States, who generously provide nearly half of all gifts. Your contribution to the Peter’s Pence Collection allows the Holy Father to respond with timely and effective emergency assistance to our suffering brothers and sisters throughout the world. Thus, in solidarity with the pope, we Catholics participate in quiet works of goodness that distinguish us as followers of the Gospel.

THE BEGINNINGS OF PETER’S PENCE
The worldwide Peter’s Pence began as a “pence” in ninth century England, when King Alfred the Great collected monies from English landowners as finaial support for the pope. Pope Pius IX formally instituted the modern Peter’s Pence Collection in the 1860s. Special appeals have since been held in many countries on the Sunday closest to June 29, the Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul. The tradition of an annual collection continues today for the charitable works of the Holy Father.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

• Pray: Please pray for the Holy Father, asking God’s blessing on his mission of justice and peace for all.

• Give: Please consider increasing your offering to help build a better world for those most in need.

• For more info, visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections