Dear Pastor/Parish Administrator, Last year, Pope Francis wrote a letter commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Collection for the Church in Latin America which he sent to Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, representing the entire Catholic community of the United States. In it, Pope Francis said, “I write to thank you . . . for this outstanding sign of communion and solidarity with the Church in South America and the Caribbean.” Yes! Your continued support of this collection is an important sign of solidarity between our local Church and that of our brothers and sisters in Latin America. Supporting this collection in your parish makes a real difference in the lives of the faithful in these regions.

Let me give you an inspiring example of this solidarity. In Nicaragua, members of the deaf community are often unable to participate in Mass or proper sacramental formation because resources are not available in sign language. With a grant from the Collection for the Church in Latin America, the Archdiocese of Managua is increasing the number of workshops, Masses and educational materials in sign language. The generosity of your parishioners has provided these resources to train over 200 ministers to serve the deaf community. Our subcommittee visited one of those events and was uplifted by it. I am sure you also would. During that visit, a mother told the story how she realized her daughter was deaf and what she then had to do to make sure her daughter would know Jesus Christ and share her faith. You and your parishioners have helped her do so.

As you can see, supporting this collection in your parish makes a real difference in the lives of the Catholic faithful in Latin America and the Caribbean. The most effective way you can promote the collection is to mention it to your parishioners during Mass. In this mailer, you will � nd a parish appeal you can read aloud directly as well as bulletin announcements, intercessions, and a prayer for solidarity. If you have any questions about the collection or need additional materials, please contact Bevin Kennedy, assistant director of promotions, at 202-541-3346 or ncpromo@usccb.org.

Thank you for taking this opportunity to share your faith with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, MSpSAuxiliary Bishop of SeattleChairman, USCCB Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America

Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, MSpSAuxiliary Bishop of Seattle

See Inside for . . . Promoting Your Parish Appeal • Bulletin Announcements • Intercessions • Funding Snapshot

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CELEBRATING50 YEARS

Support the Collection for the Church in Latin America

to a successful Collection for the Church in Latin America

Use the bulletin announcements and parish appeal provided.

Insert the Church in Latin America � ier into all bulletins the weekend before the collection.

Preach about the many challenges facing the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean. Issues include the lack of education in the faith and the lack of access to resources to strengthen the faith. The collection helps alleviate this problem by funding many programs such as catechetical programs, youth ministry and leadership training for priests, seminarians, religious, and lay ministers.

Announce the collection. Tell parishioners what it is and how the donations change people’s lives. This is the best way to ensure the success of the collection.

Pray for the Church in Latin America as it struggles to provide basic pastoral care to its parishioners and works to share the faith with future generations

English

R/. Lord, hear our prayer.

That our Holy Father, Francis, our bishop, N., and all church leaders will continue to strengthen the faith of everyone around the world but especially in the Americas as they lead the Church today, we pray to the Lord. . . . R/.

That our hearts may be moved to seek unity and solidarity with the faithful throughout Latin America and the Caribbean by sharing our material and spiritual possessions, we pray to the Lord. . . . R/.

That we may follow the example of St. Juan Diego’s faith and become humble and loving witnesses in our own communities, we pray to the Lord. . . . R/.

Intercessions

Simple StepsParish AppealParish Appeal

Spanish

R/. Señor, escúchanos.

Que nuestro Santo Padre, Francisco, nuestro Obispo, N., y todos los líderes de la Iglesia continúen forta-leciendo la fe de todos en el continente americano mientras guían a la Iglesia en el mundo de hoy, rogue-mos al Señor . . . R/.

Que nuestro corazón se conmueva y busque la unidad y la solidaridad con los � eles de toda América Latina y el Caribe compartiendo nuestras posesiones materia-les y espirituales, roguemos al Señor . . . R/.

Que sigamos el ejemplo de fe de san Juan Diego y nos convirtamos en testigos humildes y amorosos en nues-tras propias comunidades, roguemos al Señor . . . R/.

These resources and others can be downloaded at www.usccb.org/latin-america/collection.

Estos recursos y otros se pueden encontrar en www.usccb.org/latin-america/collection.

CELEBRATING50 YEARS

EnglishYour generosity to the Collection for

the Church in Latin America is invaluable to the future of the

Catholic faith in this region. Your donations and renewed

support will fund catechesis, pastoral programs, marriage and family life programs,

seminarian formation, and many other necessary programs. Please give today with

a joyful and generous heart. This collection is an opportunity to share your faith with the people of

Latin America and the Caribbean. Thank you!

SpanishSu generosidad con la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina tiene un valor incalculable para el futuro de la fe católica en esta región. Sus donativos y su renovado apoyo � nanciarán catequesis, programas pastorales, programas para el matrimonio y la vida familiar y la formación de seminaristas además de otros programas. Por favor, comparta su ofrenda hoy con un corazón generoso y lleno de alegría. Esta colecta le brinda la oportunidad de compartir su fe con los pueblos de América Latina y el Caribe. ¡Muchas gracias!

Prayer for SolidarityEnglishMerciful and loving God, through the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we ask you to give us unity and solidarity with all the Catholic faithful around the world, especially those in Latin America and the Caribbean. Grant us the grace to give generously of our time, treasure, and talent to those in need. May we learn from the example of Saint Juan Diego how to share our faith in humility and love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Oración por la solidaridadSpanishDios amoroso y lleno de misericordia, por la intercesión de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, te pedimos que nos des unidad y solidaridad con todos los � eles católicos de todo el mundo, especialmente, en América Latina y el Caribe. Concédenos la gracia de dar generosamente de nuestro tiempo, tesoro y talento a aquellos que lo necesitan. Que aprendamos del ejemplo de San Juan Diego y compartamos nuestra fe en humildad y amor. Te lo pedimos por tu Hijo, nuestro Señor Jesucristo, quien vive y reina contigo en unidad del Espíritu Santo, un solo Dios, por los siglos de los siglos. Amén.

SpanishSemana antes de la ColectaLa próxima semana realizaremos la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina. Por favor, en oración, considere apoyar esta colecta, la cual ayuda a programas que fortalecen la fe en América Latina y el Caribe. Sus donativos ayudan a compartir la fe por medio de programas de capacitación para laicos comprometidos, la catequesis, la formación de seminaristas y religiosas y varios otros proyectos. Para ver más información, por favor visite www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Semana de la Colecta¡Esta semana tenemos la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina! Por favor, en oración, considere apoyar esta colecta, la cual fortalece la fe de nuestras hermanas y hermanos en América Latina y el Caribe. Su apoyo está llevando la fe a personas de las áreas rurales y marginales que, de otra manera, no tendrían acceso a programas de la Iglesia o a programas de extensión. ¡Comparte tu fe! Contribuya a la segunda colecta. Para más información acerca de la colecta, por favor visite www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Semana después de la ColectaGracias por su generoso apoyo de la semana pasada a la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina. Como parroquia, recaudamos la cantidad de $[poner cantidad] la cual será usada para compartir la fe con nuestros hermanos y hermanas en América Latina y el Caribe. Si usted no alcanzó a contribuir en la colecta de la semana pasada, ¡todavía puede hacer su donativo! Simplemente visite www.usccb.org/nationalcollections y haga clic en la sección de la izquierda donde dice “How to Give.” ¡Su regalo ciertamente hará la diferencia!

EnglishWeek Before the CollectionNext week, we will take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America. Please prayerfully consider supporting this collection, which assists programs that strengthen the faith in Latin America and the Caribbean. Your gifts help share the faith by providing lay leadership training, catechesis, priestly and religious formation, as well as other programs. To learn more, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Week of the CollectionThis weekend is the Collection for the Church in Latin America! Please prayerfully consider supporting this collection, which strengthens the faith of our brothers and sisters in Latin America and the Caribbean. Your support is bringing the faith to those in remote villages who would otherwise not have access to church programs and outreach. Share your faith! Support the second collection. To learn more about the collection, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Week After the CollectionThank you for your generous support last week of the Collection for the Church in Latin America. As a parish, we collected $[amount], which will be used to share the faith with our brothers and sisters in Latin America and the Caribbean. If you missed the collection, it’s not too late to give! Just visit www.usccb.org/nationalcollections and click “How to Give” on the left. Your gift will certainly make a difference!

Bulletin Announcements|Anuncios para el boletín

Funding Snapshot (where your donations go)

In 2015, 426 grants were awarded totaling $6,867,869. Catholic organizations in twenty-five countries were granted funds.

The following categories received significant funding:

112 grants totaling $1,986,451 supported permanent deacons, religious men and women, the formation of seminarians, and continuing education of the clergy.

153 grants totaling $1,858,399 funded catechesis and religious education, youth ministry programs, and lay leadership programs.

15 grants totaling over $229,147 were awarded to family ministry, pro-life activities, and women’s programs.

The top six countries for total grant amounts in 2015 were:

Colombia $1,052,222 | Peru $687,242 | Haiti $597,332Cuba $488,787 | Mexico $364,678 | Brazil $319,034.

Collection for the Church in Latin America | Office of National Collections3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3346 | www.usccb.org/nationalcollectionsCopyright © 2016, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photos: © Jack Kurtz

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Share your Faith. Support the Church in Latin America.

Grants by Region

Pie chart reflects theamount of grants received by a region.

Map reflects the regions.

CELEBRATING50 YEARS

Andean Countries 36.5%

Caribbean 21.8%

Mexico and Central America 17.6%

Southern Cone 14.0%

Multinational/Other 10.1%