Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Our archdiocese will take up the Catholic Relief Services Collection this weekend. This important collection not only provides for our marginalized, impoverished and vulnerable brothers and sisters all over the world; it also gives hope to Jesus in disguise.

You have seen firsthand in recent weeks the hope provided to the people of Haiti through CRS’ massive emergency assistance efforts after the devastating earthquake that struck this country. This collection also gives hope to the community that has lost its livelihood to crop failure while giving hope to the refugee child who is separated from her mother. The CRS Collection gives to the immigrant, trying to keep faith alive in a foreign land and helps to fund programs that give hope to refugees, the impoverished and immigrants, including victims of war, natural disaster and drought.

These programs aid victims of natural disasters and armed conflict; provide agricultural assistance, water programs and health care; resettle refugees and immigrants to the United States; help alleviate poverty in developing countries; provide legal support services for poor immigrants; and advocate for policies and programs that promote global justice and peace. Through these humanitarian, economic, pastoral and advocacy efforts, the Catholic Relief Services Collection gives hope. I invite you to give hope to Jesus in disguise.

Thanks for your generous response to the victim of the Haitian earthquake; we have raised nearly $500,000. I invite another generous response to this second collection for Catholic Relief Services.

Please visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections for more information about the Catholic Relief Services Collection.

Sincerely yours in our Lord,

Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D.
Archbishop of Louisville