Dear Pastor/Parish Administrator, This year we celebrate the important milestone of 50 years of solidarity with the Church in Latin America and the Caribbean. The

Church there faces many challenges, including lack of access to resources the faithful need to nourish their spiritual lives. Often, there are too few priests to meet the needs of the many communities they serve, or the communities themselves are simply too isolated to have access to other important resources for the faith. Strategies to train and support evangelization leaders are vital to reach those who are disconnected from the life and mission of the Church.

For the past 50 years, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops through the Subcommittee on the Church in Latin America has helped 25 countries in Central and South America as well as the Caribbean confront challenges to the faith. With your help and the support of the Catholic faithful, we have helped develop evangelization and catechetical programs. We have also funded activities that promote an encounter with Jesus Christ, so that the faithful can become missionary disciples. Your support and the support of your Catholic faithful funds several ministries and projects that ensure the people in Latin America and the Caribbean can share their faith and strengthen connections with members of the church community.

In Peru, the 14 villages of Chazuta, in Moyobamba, are all located away from the city center, with the most remote only accessible by boat. The faithful in these communities do not have access to catechetical formation, and members often feel separated from the life of the universal Church. Through a grant from the Collection for the Church in Latin America, the religious congregation of the Missionaries of Jesus was able to provide faith formation, spiritual retreats, and workshops to nearly 250 people. Upon completion, participants were better equipped to help others deepen their faith and answer questions. The program also renewed their sense of commitment to their parishes and created stronger bonds within their own families. Through this program, members of the Chazuta villages felt the love and support of the universal Church.

The most effective way you can promote the collection is to mention it to your parishioners during Mass. Materials such as bul-letin inserts, posters, and collection envelopes can help to further educate your parishioners about the collection’s purpose and where their donations go. If you have any questions about the collection or need additional materials, please contact Bevin Kennedy, Assistant Director, 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

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, MSpSAuxiliary Bishop of Seattle

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

50200616

CELEBRATING50 YEARS

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. Issues include the lack of formation in the faith and the lack of access to resources. The collection helps to alleviate these challenges by funding catechetical programs 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 pastoral care to the faithful 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 in the Americas, as they lead the Church in the world 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 spiri-tual 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 AppealEnglishYour generosity to the Collection

for the Church in Latin Amer-ica is invaluable to the future of the Catholic faith

in this region. Your dona-tions and renewed support will fund catechesis, pas-

toral 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 dona-tivos 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!

Spanish

R/. Señor, escúchanos.

Que nuestro Santo Padre, Francisco, nuestro Obispo, N., y todos los líderes de la Iglesia continúen fortaleciendo la fe de todos en el continente americano mientras guían a la Iglesia en el mundo de hoy, roguemos 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 materiales 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 nuestras propias comunidades, roguemos al Señor . . . R/.

These resources and others can be downloaded at www.usccb.org/latin-america under the “Collection Resources” tab on the left.

Estos recursos y otros se pueden encontrar en www.usccb.org/latin-america bajo la “Collection Resources” a la izquierda.

CELEBRATING50 YEARS

Prayer for SolidarityEnglishMerciful God, we thank you for the opportunity during the past 50 years to learn from and stand in solidarity with the people of Latin America and the Caribbean. With the help of our Mother Mary, Our Lady of Guadalupe, we ask you to give us unity with the faithful in Latin America, the Caribbean, and around the world, especially those who suffer because of their faith in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, grant us the grace to give gen-erously of our time, treasure, and talent to those in need. May we learn from the example of St. Juan Diego and share our faith in humility and love. We ask this through your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Oración por la solidaridadSpanishDios misericordioso, te agradecemos la oportunidad que hemos tenido durante los últimos 50 años de aprender de los pueblos de América Latina y del Caribe y mantener nuestra solidari-dad con ellos. Con la ayuda de nuestra Madre María, Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, te pedimos que nos concedas la unidad con los � eles de América Latina, el Caribe y el mundo entero, especialmente con aquellos que sufren por su fe en Cristo. Por el Espíritu Santo, concédenos la gracia de dar generosamente de nuestro tiempo, tesoro y talento a los necesitados. Que apren-damos del ejemplo de san Juan Diego y compartamos nuestra fe con humildad y amor. Te lo pedimos por tu Hijo Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.

Anuncios para el boletínSpanishLa semana antes de la colectaLa próxima semana realizaremos la Colecta para la Iglesia en Amé-rica Latina. En Perú, los 14 pueblos de Chazuta, en Moyobamba, están ubicados lejos del centro de la ciudad y los más remotos son accesibles solo por barco. Los � eles en estas comunidades no tienen acceso a una formación catequética y los feligreses con frecuencia se sienten separados de la vida de la Iglesia universal. Mediante una donación de la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina, a la con-gregación religiosa de los Misioneros de Jesús le fue posible brindar formación en la fe, retiros espirituales y talleres a casi 250 personas. Al completar el programa, los participantes estaban mejor capaci-tados para ayudar y responder a sus preguntas. El programa también sirvió para renovar su sentido de compromiso con sus parroquias y crear vínculos más sólidos dentro de sus propias familias. Por medio de este programa, los feligreses de los pueblos de Chazuta sintieron el amor y el apoyo de la Iglesia universal. Por favor, dé su apoyo a programas como estos y contribuya generosamente en la colecta de la próxima semana. Para más información, por favor, visite www.usccb.org/latin-america.

La semana de la colectaHoy día realizaremos la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina. Sus ofrendas para esta colecta � nanciarán catequesis, programas pastorales, proyectos para el matrimonio y la vida familiar y la edu-cación de seminaristas además de otras proyectos en América Lati-na y el Caribe. Al proveer � nanciamiento para estos programas, el apoyo que usted da hoy les ofrecerá oportunidades para que crezca la fe en los años venideros. Por favor, apoye a la Iglesia en América Latina y contribuya generosamente en la colecta de hoy.

La semana después de la colectaMuchas gracias por sus generosos donativos a la Colecta para la Iglesia en América Latina. Su apoyo asegurará que muchas perso-nas reciban una buena catequesis, programas para el matrimonio y la vida familiar y que las religiosas y seminaristas reciban una sólida formación. Muchas gracias por valerse de esta oportunidad para compartir su fe. Para mas información sobre la manera en que su donativo está haciendo una diferencia, por favor visite www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Bulletin AnnouncementsEnglishWeek Before the CollectionNext week, we will take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America. In Peru, the 14 villages of Chazuta, in Moyo-bamba, are all located away from the city center, with the most remote only accessible by boat. The faithful in these communi-ties do not have access to catechetical formation, and mem-bers often feel separated from the life of the universal Church. Through a grant from the Collection for the Church in Latin America, the religious congregation of the Missionaries of Jesus was able to provide faith formation, spiritual retreats, and work-shops to nearly 250 people. Upon completion, participants were better equipped to help others deepen their faith and answer questions. The program also renewed their sense of commitment to their parishes and created stronger bonds within their own families. Through this program, members of the Chazuta villages felt the love and support of the universal Church. Please support programs like these and give generously in next week’s collection. For more information, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Week of the CollectionToday, we will take up the Collection for the Church in Latin America. Your gifts to the collection will fund catechesis, pastoral programs, marriage and family life projects, seminarian education, and many other necessary programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. By funding these programs, the support you give today will provide seeds to grow the faith for years to come. Please support the Church in Latin America and be generous in today’s collection.

Week After the CollectionThank you for your generous donations to the Collection for the Church in Latin America. Your support helps ensure that people have adequate catechesis, marriage and family life programs, and strong religious and seminarian formation among other programs. Thank you for taking this opportunity to share your faith. To learn more about how your donations are making a difference, please visit www.usccb.org/latin-america.

Prayer for Solidarity

Funding Snapshot (where your donations go)

In 2014, 439 grants were awarded totaling $6,464,520. Twenty-� ve countries were granted funds.

The following categories received signi� cant funding:

• 144 grants totaling nearly $1.9 million supported the formation of seminarians, permanent deacons, reli-gious men and women, and the continuing education of the clergy.

• 20 grants totaling over $220,000 were awarded to family ministry, pro-life ministry, and women’s programs. • 135 grants totaling $1.46 million funded catechesis and religious education, youth ministry programs, and

lay leadership programs.

The top six countries with the largest total grant amount in 2014 were:

Colombia $915,129 | Cuba $703,239 | Peru $622,561 | Haiti $591,946 | Brazil $409,427 | Nicaragua $353,906

Collection for the Church in Latin America | Of� ce of National Collections3211 Fourth Street NE | Washington, DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3346 | www.usccb.org/nationalcollectionsCopyright © 2015, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Photos: © Ed Kashi/VII/Corbis, © Roberto Escobar/epa/Corbis. 50200616

Share your Faith. Support the Church in Latin America.

Andean Countries 29%Caribbean 25%Mexico & Central America 20%Southern Cone 17%Multinational/Other 9%

✙ Multinational/Other

Andean Countries 29%Caribbean 25%Mexico & Central America 20%Southern Cone 17%Multinational/Other 9%

✙ Multinational/Other

Andean Countries 29%Caribbean 25%Mexico & Central America 20%Southern Cone 17%Multinational/Other 9%

✙ Multinational/Other

Grants by Region

Pie chart re� ects theamount of grants received by a region.

Map re� ects the regions.

CELEBRATING50 YEARS