USCCB Launches Annual Collection to Support Church Missions in Latin America and Caribbean Regions in 2025

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has kicked off its annual collection aimed at supporting the Church’s mission across Central and South America, as well as the Caribbean.

The initiative is designed to help people in these regions experience God’s love and share it with others, particularly those facing poverty and marginalization.

Bishop Mueggenborg Highlights the Impact of the Collection

Bishop Daniel H. Mueggenborg of Reno, Nevada, who chairs the USCCB’s Committee on National Collections, emphasized the importance of the collection in his statement on January 7.

He noted that it is through the generosity of parishioners that the Church can continue its work in these areas, reaching countless individuals in need.

“With the support of parishioners like you, the collection for the Church in Latin America helps countless poor and marginalized people experience God’s love and share it with their neighbors,” Mueggenborg said.

His message underscores the significant role parishioners play in furthering the mission of the Church in these regions.

Remembering Blessed Stanley Rother’s Legacy

The bishop also took the opportunity to reflect on the example set by Blessed Stanley Rother, a priest from Oklahoma who dedicated his life to serving Latin American Catholics in Guatemala.

Rother, who was martyred in 1981, is remembered for his unwavering commitment to the poor, even in the face of great danger.

Mueggenborg recalled his personal encounter with Rother in 1981, highlighting the profound impact that the priest’s life and sacrifice had on him.

“Blessed Stanley Rother ministered in Guatemala, even in the face of great danger because God had called him to love and care for Latin Americans in need,” he said.

Rother’s ministry was seen as a threat to powerful interests in the region, and it ultimately cost him his life.

Encouraging Financial Sacrifice for a Greater Cause

Drawing inspiration from Rother’s life and sacrifice, Bishop Mueggenborg encouraged parishioners to contribute to the collection as a way of answering the call to serve others.

“The Collection for the Church in Latin America is an opportunity for all of us to answer that same call,” he said.

“It may not cost us our lives, but a financial sacrifice, even a small one, will go toward impacting the lives of many.”

Through this collection, the USCCB hopes to continue the legacy of service to those in need, helping to strengthen the Church’s presence and mission in Latin America and beyond.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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