Giving to the Diocese

THE 2008 CATHOLIC SERVICE & MINISTRY APPEAL
Making Christ Visible in Southern Illinois • Diocese of Belleville

An Invitation . . .

The Lumen Orbis Society
The Lumen Orbis Society is a special alliance of Catholic men and women who take a leadership role in the work of the Church. As a member, your generosity will set an example of good stewardship as you reach out with love to people in southern Illinois and diocesan ministries in need of your help. To
understand and practice stewardship, people need models to imitate. These exist in abundance in the holy men and women who have gone before us in faith. Please prayerfully consider a membership in one of the following societies:

St. Anne & St. Joachim Society • $500-$999
By tradition Anne and Joachim are considered to be the names of the parents of Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. It was the nurturing and teachings of Anne and Joachim that led Mary to respond to God’s request with faith, “Let it be done to me as you will.” St. Anne and St. Joachim were quiet, unassuming people who lived their faith and became an integral part of God’s plan of salvation.

St. Elizabeth & St. Zachary Society • $1,000-$2,499
Scripture tells us Zachary was a temple priest and his wife, Elizabeth, a kinswoman to the Virgin Mary. Elizabeth had remained childless until, at an advanced age, a son was promised to her by the Angel Gabriel. Mary traveled to Jerusalem to visit Elizabeth and Elizabeth greeted her cousin as "the mother of
my Lord." It was during this visit with Elizabeth that Mary spoke the hymn of praise known as The Magnificat. The child born of Zachary and Elizabeth grew up to be John the Baptist.

St. Mary & St. Joseph Society • $2500-$4,999
After Jesus, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary who exemplifies most perfectly the meaning of discipleship and stewardship in their fullest sense. Mary was called and gifted by God, she responded generously, creatively and prudently, she understood her divinely assigned role as handmaid in terms of service and fidelity. St. Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, was a man of great faith and obedient to what- ever God asked of him. In their parental role Mary and Joseph patiently taught Jesus the tenants of his Jewish faith, passed on its laws and customs and helped him to learn his trade. Scripture tells us that
“Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man” because of Mary and Joseph’s devotion.

St. Peter the Apostle Society • $5,000+
Peter was a fisherman, the brother of St. Andrew the Apostle who led him to Christ. The Lord gave him the name of "Peter" to indicate that he would be the rock on which the Church would be built. He had miraculous healing powers, so that people were cured even by his shadow (Acts 5:15). He was the
first Bishop of the Church; we can say that he was the first Pope. He died a martyr, crucified head down-ward because he claimed he was not worthy to die in the same manner as the Lord.

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