A Letter from Bishop Lou

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Do Everything for the Glory of God!” This is the theme for this year’s Annual Diocesan Appeal. As disciples of Jesus, we are to live out our mission to “Go Make Disciples” – and we do so not for our own sake, but for the sake of God’s kingdom and for the “Glory of God!”

In the coming year, the Church will be blessed with her first millennial saint when Blessed Carlo Acutis is canonized. In his brief life, he showed a heroic witness of faith. He is quoted as saying, “Everything fades, anyway. … What will make us truly beautiful in the eyes of God is only the way in which we loved him and how we loved our neighbors.” To love as Jesus loved is to “do everything for the glory of God!”

To ensure that we as a diocese can carry on our mission, it is vital that we receive the generous support of the faithful across the twenty-six counties that we call home. Our efforts to reach out to others and invite them to encounter Jesus through our parishes, our schools, our Newman Centers on college campuses, and through Catholic Charities are all examples of sharing the Gospel. Our efforts to defend and support human life, from conception until natural death, demonstrate our deeply held belief in the dignity of the human person. Our encouragement and support for those in formation to become priests demonstrates our deep desire that the Church’s Sacraments will continue to be available to feed and enrich the life of the faithful. All of these endeavors give glory to God.

I ask you to join with me in supporting the ADA through your prayer and through your financial support. Together, we can make a significant impact spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ. Together, we can show that we truly desire to “Do Everything for the Glory of God!”

Know that I daily pray with and for you. I am grateful for the many ways in which you show the love of Jesus right here in the Heart of Illinois – it is what makes our Church so beautiful in the eyes of God!

God love you and God bless you!

+The Most Reverend Louis Tylka
Bishop of Peoria

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Annual Diocesan Appeal?

The Annual Diocesan Appeal is an annual invitation to all of the faithful in the Diocese of Peoria to contribute for the common good and impact lives beyond the scope of any individual parish. It includes ministries that bring comfort to our seniors, food to the hungry, education to all who desire to join the Catholic Faith, training to our seminarians, Pre- Cana for engaged couples, adult faith formation, support for parishes and leadership in our schools so that the next generation will carry on the Catholic Faith that we so lovingly cherish. Every parishioner is prayerfully asked for financial support.

How can I make my gift?

There are three types of gifts to the Appeal – pledge, one-time or recurring. Payments of cash, check, credit card and direct debit can be made by mail, online or via electronic giving. Monthly reminders (November-June) can also be mailed to donors for pledge payments. Gifts of appreciated stock, grain, qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) or donor advised funds have special considerations and requirements. Contact 309-671-1550 for more information.

Why should I contribute?

The Church in our diocese certainly needs the financial support of its Catholic faithful. But more importantly, because, as Catholics, we are part of the Mystical Body of Christ, we are called to share with each other the gifts He has given us. In contributing to the Appeal, you are responding to the call to be active participants within the universal Church.

How does the ADA benefit my parish and me?

Every Appeal gift goes to support diocesan programs and ministries which in turn provide services that no one parish can offer on its own. The Annual Diocesan Appeal most likely funded the education of the priests currently serving in your parish. Hundreds of young people annually participate in youth rally. Engaged couples receive marriage preparation through the Office of Evangelization and Faith Formation. Young men from our parishes attend Emmaus Days, vocation awareness program set in a spiritual but also fun environment. Many parishes host Totus Tuus summer program for children which is coordinated by our Office of Vocations. In addition, any money that is paid over the parish’s goal will be returned to the parish for its own programs and services.