January 2010

My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Diocese of El Paso is a family of faith summoned by the love of Christ to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and give witness through devoted lives of prayer and service.

This year, I call upon all of us to be good shepherds of our Catholic faith by supporting the Progress 2010 Appeal both through a commitment to prayer and a contribution to support the ministries of the Diocese of El Paso.

The Progress Campaign provides the essential annual support for our diocesan ministries. The goal for this year’s campaign is $2,100,000 based on the increasing needs of our ministries as they serve our Catholic community. Parishes also benefit from the campaign. Your gift will support a wide variety of programs, services, and diocesan activities including the . . .

-Formation of 20 seminarians with two ordinations of new priests in 2010

-Training of 11 new deacon candidates

-Preparation of lay leaders and catechists

-Affirmation of marriage, the family, and the sanctity of
human life

-Expansion of activities for children, youth and young adults in parishes, Catholic schools and at UTEP and Sul Ross State University

-Propagation of the faith through evangelization and the promotion of prayer and worship

-Outreach to those in need through counseling services, legal aid, and the promotion of Catholic social teaching

-Growth of programs that strengthen the presence of the Church in rural counties.

Please join me in shepherding our faith by supporting the 2010 Progress Appeal through a generous and grateful
pledge today. Thank you in advance for your support. May God bless you and your family.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Most Reverend Armando X. Ochoa, D.D.
Bishop of El Paso

P.S. Thank you for being a shepherd of our faith with your gift to the Progress Appeal.