For the Universal Church
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A Message from Bishop Malloy:
January 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
Each year, the Diocese of Rockford holds three separate combined appeals for the support of specific programs of the local and universal Church. The National Appeal is the first of these in 2026, taking place January 10-11. This appeal is a wonderful opportunity for the faithful to work collectively to bolster domestic efforts in sharing the Gospel message.
Locally, this appeal directly benefits our Catholic schools throughout the Diocese of Rockford. Our schools play a critical role in encouraging the development of faith and virtue among the youth, who are the future of our Church. The appeal also supports the priests’ pension program for the 36 retired priests from the Diocese of Rockford who frequently assist at our parishes throughout northern Illinois.
Another option is to give to the Catholic Communication Campaign. This funding helps us share the Gospel through weekly televised Catholic Masses and “Top O’ the Morning” weekday broadcasts, livestreamed ordination and Chrism Masses from the Cathedral of St. Peter, Be Reconciled Day, and other diocesan communications projects. Half of all collected funds for the Catholic Communication Campaign remain in our diocese, with the remainder supporting the collective communication work of the bishops as well as other national projects in the United States.
The Retirement Fund for Religious is also included in this appeal. Donations directed toward this fund help provide medications, nursing assistance, and other necessities for nearly 25,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests living in the United States. The Benedictines of Marmion Abbey and the Congregation of the Resurrection both have a presence in our own diocese and have benefited from this assistance.
Some funds from the National Appeal are used by The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to support its students and to conduct research initiatives and training programs, such as the Catholic Identity Professional Program and creative efforts to assist lower-income students in accessing a Catholic undergraduate degree.
Thank you for your prayerful support of the 2026 National Appeal.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend David J. Malloy
Bishop of Rockford
The National Appeal Supports:
RETIREMENT FUND FOR RELIGIOUS (RFR)
This annual appeal benefits nearly 25,000 elderly Catholic sisters, brothers, and religious order priests—women and men who have consecrated their lives to serving God and the Church.
For most of their lives, religious men and women worked for small stipends and room and board. Many religious communities struggle to provide for aging members. Rising health-care costs and decreased income compound the struggle to provide adequate attention to these men and women who gave their lives to service and the faith. Your gift helps provide this needed care, and more. Using our contributions, religious congregations are implementing long-range retirement strategies, even as they continue to serve the people of God. With your help, the diocese distributed $139,559 last year.
CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN (CCC)
Through the internet, television, radio or newspapers, the Catholic Church embraces technologies, old and new, to spread the Gospel message. The Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC) supports Catholic media projects in our diocese and all over the United States and especially in the Diocese of Rockford with projects like TV Masses, livestreams and Bishop Malloy’s Top of the Morning daily Gospel messages. With your help, the diocese distributed $135,080 last year.
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA (CUA)
The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. has served the Church, its students, and the nation since its establishment in 1887. CUA offers more than 5,000 students per year an exceptional Catholic education that is grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition. With your help, the diocese distributed $7,602 last year.
engage.catholic.edu/giving/how-give/national-collection
CATHOLIC SCHOOL FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE DIOCESE OF ROCKFORD
This part of the appeal provides a special way for you to assist the Diocese of Rockford to support schools that have operating deficits and need help to become and remain financially viable. Your support through prayer and donations help our underprivileged schools to continue to provide quality academic education along with religious and moral formation. Thanks to your generous gifts, $57,500 was distributed last year to needy schools in our diocese.
ROCKFORD DIOCESAN PRIESTS’ PENSION
After devoting their lives to bringing people closer to Christ, in retirement our priests continue to serve as spiritual leaders, counselors, ministers to the sick and much more. With gratitude for their years of faithful ministry, the diocese has a Priests’ Pension Plan to support our 36 current retired priests and those that will retire in the future.
Father J. Stephen St. Jules has served the Rockford Diocese for over 45 years. Along with all his service as a priest and pastor of the diocese, he also served on the Board of Consultors for Boylan Central Catholic High School, and he served on the Diocesan Incardination Committee. We thank you, Fr. St. Jules, and all our priests for your continued faithful service in retirement.
Last year, the faithful of our Diocese contributed $164,872.
