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Parishioners in the Diocese of Raleigh donated more than $215,000 in 2007 to support the work of 31 missionary organizations and foreign dioceses in need. The amount set a new diocesan record for the annual appeal, which is conducted is conducted in about 45 percent of the parishes in the Diocese.

Each year, the Diocese invites representatives from Missionary Orders and poor dioceses to make a weekend appeal at a designated parish. Father Robert J. Kus, Chair of the Diocesan Missionary Cooperation Plan (MCP), said the Diocese receives requests from approximately 150 organizations each year, but can accommodate between 30 and 35.

The missionaries come for a weekend to speak during the Masses at their assigned parish. The collection taken up at the Masses of each participating parish is then combined and divided equally among the religious organizations and foreign dioceses. Father Kus said last year’s collections provided approximately $6,300 for each organization.

“The people that these missionaries represent are the poorest of the poor,” Father Kus said. “They don’t have benefactors whom they can call on to help provide for their needs. They are totally at the mercy of the generosity of people in our country and in other developed countries. They are most grateful for the support we can provide.”

Father Kus said his committee has recently reviewed this year’s applications and is now in the process of extending the 2008 invitations.