BISHOP ASKS SUPPORT

FOR PETER’S PENCE

            Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has asked parishioners to support the annual Peter’s Pence collection, which the 217 parishes in Brooklyn and Queens will take up at the Masses on the weekend of July 1-2.

            Pope Benedict XVI’s charitable efforts when he responds to “emergency relief to those who suffer from war, oppression and natural disasters” around the world will benefit from the collection, the Bishop said.

            “My hope is that (parishioners) will remember the less fortunate around the globe as they prepare to celebrate the independence of our much-blessed nation,” the Bishop wrote in a letter to pastors and administrators.

            “The generosity of our people will ease the burden borne by our Holy Father when he is called on to respond to unexpected events that affect the lives of innocent people,” he said.

            Last year’s Peter’s Pence collection in the Diocese drew $178,028 in contributions from parishioners.

            The theme of the 2006 collection is: “Anyone who has discovered Christ must lead others to Him.”

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6/20/06