The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ annual collection for
the church in central and Eastern Europe will be Ash Wednesday, March 6. The
collection raises funds to rebuild and grow the church across 28 countries through
numerous projects and programs including seminaries, youth ministry, social
service programs, pastoral centers, church construction and Catholic
communications projects.
“As we embark on our Lenten journey, it is a fitting time to
remember our sisters and brothers in central and Eastern Europe, who are
working to restore the church and build the future after decades of
oppression,” said Bishop Jeffrey Monforton, chairman of the Subcommittee on Aid
to the Church in Central and Eastern Europe, in a press release Feb. 21. “I
thank the American faithful for their support. As a paschal people, we help
bring God’s consolation and the hope of rebirth when we extend our generosity
to those in need.”
The subcommittee falls under the USCCB Committee on National
Collections and is responsible for the distribution of funds through its grant
program. In 2017, the subcommittee provided 300-plus grants totaling more than
$9 million, including supporting a youth center in Georgia to provide children
a place to learn the faith, engage in recreational classes, and receive support
for homework and language skills in the remote town of Tambovka.
Find out more
For more information, visit usccb.org/ccee
To donate, visit usccb.org/catholic-giving/opportunities-for-giving/central-and-eastern-europe/how-to-give.cfm
