Bishop George J. Lucas recently received a letter thanking the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois for a contribution of $58,248 to the 2008 Catholic Home Missions Appeal.

Bishop Michael W. Warfel of Great Falls-Billings, chairman of the USCCB Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions, said the contribution was both welcomed and needed by mission dioceses in the United States.

"Contributions to the Home Missions Appeal go directly to brother bishops who cannot offer their people even basic pastoral services without outside help," Bishop Warfel wrote. "In these difficult days, small dioceses without significant reserves are in increasing danger and need a helping hand to evangelize, to catechize, and especially to train future priests who will provide Mass, sacraments and religious education for their people. Currently, the subcommittee on the Home Missions is assisting 90 mission bishops."

Bishop Warfel wrote that in most dioceses, April 25-26 is the weekend of the 2009 Home Missions Appeal and asked for continued generosity.

"Given the serious economic decline in our country, we are receiving more grant requests than ever," he wrote. "The needs are acute."