My Dear Friends in Christ:

For 123 years the National Black and Indian Mission Collection has served the Catholic Church well in the Black and American Indian communities. Time is approaching for the 2007 collection to be held in all parishes on the weekend of February 24-25.

The collection last year played a big part in being able to allocate special grants to the Gulf Coast states where hurricanes and flooding did such terrible damage to Black churches and schools and to Indian parishes in Louisiana. The generosity of the people of the Archdiocese of Atlanta was overwhelming, and over $41,000 was sent to the mission office!!

The Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Biloxi were very grateful for the extra allocations. The need, however, is not just a one-year matter—it will take several years for the Gulf Coast parishes and schools to totally recover, and the truth is, many never will.

Destroyed churches and schools that always depend on and receive grants each year are determined to rebuild their churches, schools and religious education classes. In the past year, as a result of the special collection grants, there has been definite progress. Once again, parishes in all parts of the United States have the wonderful opportunity to work hand in hand with people of the needy area.

Now I prayerfully ask everyone in the Archdiocese of Atlanta to be as generous as possible to the 2007 National Black and Indian Mission Collection. Let the collection of this year be another good one—that we all may share in the rebuilding efforts of the Church that has suffered so very much.

Please, give what you are able.

Sincerely in Christ,
Wilton D. Gregory
Archbishop of Atlanta