3050 ALTA DRIVE LAS VEGAS, NV 89107 Parish Office: 702-802-2300 Fax: 702-802-2301 Website: www.ollvchurch.org Email: ollvparish@ollv.org

PARISH OFFICE HOURS: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 4:00pm (Closed for lunch 11:30am-12:30pm) OLLV School: 702-802-2323

PASTORAL STAFF Served by Society of Christ Fathers

Rev. Gerald Grupczynski, SChr, Pastor Rev. Tomasz Ludwicki, SChr, Parochial Vicar

Dave Kowaleski, Director of Music

FAITH FORMATION Religious Education & Confirmation

Liz Williams: 702-802-2362 lizwilliams1234@hotmail.com

RCIA

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Julia Dodson: 702-802-2300

jdodson@ollv.org

LIFE TEEN Marc Sayre: marcsayre@ollv.org

MASS TIMES

Saturday Vigil: 4:30pm Sunday: 6:30am, 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00pm, 1:30pm Polish, 5:00pm, 6:30pm with Tagalog music Weekday: Monday - Friday 8:00am (Rosary before Mass at 7:25am) Civic & Holiday: Refer to parish bulletin Holy Days of Obligation: Refer to parish bulletin

RECONCILIATION (Confession)

Saturday: 3:30pm - 4:15pm

FIRST FRIDAY 7:30am: Sacrament of Reconciliation 8:00am: Mass (Eng.) / Adoration to follow 6:00pm: Rosary & Divine Mercy Chaplet 6:15pm: Sacrament of Reconciliation 7:00pm: Mass (Eng.) / Holy Hour to follow

FIRST SATURDAY 8:00am: Mass (Eng.)

DEVOTIONS St. Jude: Every Tuesday morning following the 8:00am Mass Our Lady of Perpetual Help: Every Wednesday morning after the 8:00am Mass

Our Lady of Las Vegas ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

- Faith, Family, Friends -

A 16, 2017 2 — O L L V C C

St. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans, “Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were indeed buried with him through baptism into his death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life” (Romans 6, 3-4). On this Easter Sunday, the day we solemnly recall the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, St. Paul is telling us something that is imperative for us to know. Christ is

risen! He is truly risen! And mankind is now reconciled with God. Jesus is alive and with us now, as He said He would be, every day until the end of time. The resurrection of Jesus is the reason we are Christians. The resurrection is the reason that the Church exists, because the Church is the risen and glorified Mystical Body of Christ. Christ is the Head and we are the members. Together we form this Mystical Body and through Christ, with Him and in Him we celebrate our redemption and live out our sanctification. Easter celebrates the rising of Jesus from the tomb. Jesus died and was buried, and on the third day he rose in his human body. The resurrection meant a significant change to the body of Jesus. It is glorified and changed in a way that transcends the physical laws of nature, and is no longer subject to the frailties and illnesses of this present life. Our bodies too will be changed and glorified in the pattern of Jesus’ risen and glorified body at the resurrection of the dead on the last day. Easter is our assurance and promise of our risen and eternal life with Christ. As we celebrate this glorious Easter Sunday, may God be praised for His greatness. May the rising of Jesus always be our hope, that despite our sinful and fallen nature, God has forgiven us through His Son and invites us to share an eternity of life with Him in the kingdom of Heaven where He lives and reigns forever and ever. On behalf of Fr. Tom, the entire parish staff and myself, we wish everyone a very Happy Easter. Christ is Risen, Alleluia! He is truly risen, Alleluia! MaytheblessingsofourRisenLordbewithyouandyourfamiliesalways! Happy Easter! Wesołych Świąt! Wielkanocnych!

Feliz Páscoa! Maligayang Araw ng Pagkabuhay!

Felices Pascuas!

Fr. Gerry

A 16, 2017 E S R L - 3

Sanctuary Lamp Sponsorship

APRIL 16 - 22, 2017

This week the Sanctuary Lamp is for

JOAN LOVE Sponsored by Richard Carboni

Prayer Intentions of the Holy Father APRIL 2017

Young People: That young people may respond generously to their vocations and seriously consider offering themselves to God in the priesthood or consecrated life.

Catholic Mass for the Homebound - The Diocese offers a televised Mass for the home-bound each Sunday at 7:30am on KFBT Channel 33.1 Digital (no longer an analog signal) or Cox Cable Channel 6.

Immaculate Heart Radio - Now in Las Vegas, you can listen to Catholic radio 24-hours a day by tuning your radio to 970am.

First Reading — Peter is an eyewitness: The Lord is risen (Acts 10:34a, 37-43). Psalm — This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad (Psalm 118). (1) Second Reading — All who are baptized, set your hearts in heaven (Colossians 3:1-4) or (2) Second Reading — Christ our Passover is sacrificed; therefore let us celebrate (1 Corinthians 5:6b-8). Gospel — Three witnesses, Mary, Peter, and John; each responds to the empty tomb (John 20:1-9) or Matthew 28:1-10 (or, at an afternoon or evening Mass, Luke 24:13-35). The English translation of the Psalm Responses from Lectionary for Mass © 1969, 1981, 1997, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

TODAY’S READINGSTODAY’S READINGSTODAY’S READINGS MASS INTENTIONSMASS INTENTIONSMASS INTENTIONS

OUR LADY OF LAS VEGAS’ New Parish App

Check out Our Lady of Las Vegas’ New Parish App! Receive messages directly, information on events, readings, prayers and download the parish bulletin. Text App to phone number 88202 or visit myparishapp.com to download.

HOLY SATURDAY, April 15 - Easter Vigil 7:30pm: Easter Intentions

EASTER SUNDAY, April 16 - The Resurrection of the Lord 6:30am: Easter Intentions 8:00am: Easter Intentions 10:00am: Easter Intentions 12:00pm: Easter Intentions 1:30pm: (Polish) For the Parishioner of OLLV; Easter Intentions 5:00pm: Easter Intentions 6:30pm: Easter Intentions

Monday, April 17 - Within the Octave of Easter 8:00am: †Timoteo Pineda Sr. 3:00pm: Divine Mercy Chaplet

Tuesday, April 18 - Within the Octave of Easter 8:00am: Arlene Medrano 3:00pm: Divine Mercy Chaplet

Wednesday, April 19 - Within the Octave of Easter 8:00am: †Yolanda Postigo 9:15am: (School) †Francisco Cartagena 3:00pm: Divine Mercy Chaplet

Thursday, April 20 - Within the Octave of Easter 8:00am: †Edwin Oquendo 3:00pm: Divine Mercy Chaplet

Friday, April 21 - Within the Octave of Easter 8:00am: †Oscar Orpiano 3:00pm: Divine Mercy Chaplet

Saturday, April 22 - Within the Octave of Easter 4:30pm: Don Niffenegger; Divine Mercy Chaplet following the Mass

Sunday, April 23 - Second Sunday of Easter; Divine Mercy Sunday 6:30am: †Ann Jones 8:00am: †George Davis 10:00am: †Renato M. Gonzales 12:00pm: †Rosemari Capobianco 1:30pm: (Polish) For the Parishioner of OLLV; Divine Mercy Chaplet following the Mass 5:00pm: †Francia Alonso 6:30pm: †Adrian Mendoza; Divine Mercy Chaplet following the Mass

MASS INTENTIONSMASS INTENTIONSMASS INTENTIONS

In preparation for the Sunday of Divine Mercy on April 23, our parish will pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet during a novena with nine days of prayer. The novena will begin on Good Friday at the conclusion of the 3pm liturgy and conclude on Divine Mercy Sunday after the 1:30pm Polish Mass and after the 6:30pm Mass.

DIVINE MERCY NOVENA SCHEDULE April 14 - Good Friday After 3:00pm Liturgy April 15 - Holy Saturday 11:30am April 16 - Easter Sunday After 6:30pm Mass April 17 - 21 3:00pm April 22 - Saturday After 4:30pm Mass April 23 - Divine Mercy Sunday After 1:30pm & 6:30pm Mass

4 — O L L V C C A 16, 2017

APRIL 2, 2017 1st Collection

$16,563.75 Catholic Education

$3,196.00 Building Maintenance

$917.00

APRIL 9, 2017 Due to an early publishing deadline, totals from last weekend’s collection will be in next weekend’s bulletin.

Thank you for your continued support!

CSA UPDATE as of APRIL 2, 2017

2017 CSA GOAL $121,255.00 Total Received $ 52,865.25 Total Needed to Reach Goal $ 68,389.75

You may mail your pledge cards/payments to the Diocese: Roman Catholic Bishop of Las Vegas, Catholic Stewardship Appeal, PO Box 26239, Las Vegas, NV 89126-0239, or place it in the collection basket during the Mass. Additional pledge cards can be found at the back of the church.

Green CSA Envelope The green CSA envelopes that are being mailed to our registered parishioners, along with the regular offertory envelopes, are to be used by those parishioners who have not

pledged a donation amount through the Diocese. If you have already filled out a CSA pledge card and mailed it to the Diocese, you have completed your CSA obligation. Use the green envelope only if you have not completed a pledge card and would like to donate to the CSA program on a periodic basis.

Please allow 5 business days for processing.

Today’s Date Parish ID# Last Name First Name Street Address City & Zip Code Phone #

Please Mail Will Pick Up

2016 DONATION RECEIPT The Parish Office is now accepting receipt requests for donations made by registered parishioners in 2016. Please complete the form below and place it in the collection basket during Mass, drop it off at the parish office, mail it or you can go to the parish website www.ollvchurch.org and click the Donation Receipt button.

Requests cannot be made over the phone. NOTE: Tax statements for CSA donations made through your Pledge to the Diocese will be sent to you automatically from the Diocese, if the donations totaled $250 or more. If your total donations were under $250, please call the Diocese at 702-735-3500 for your statement.

2016 Request for Donation Receipt

Be sure to keep your Rice Bowl throughout Lent. There will be a receptacle in the vestibule of the church Next Weekend, April 22 &

23, for you to turn in your Rice Bowls. Thank you for your generosity!

Disposing of Blessed Items Including Blessed Palms and Holy Water & Containers that have held Holy Water

All blessed items should be disposed of in a dignified and reverent manner. There are two ways to dispose of blessed objects: by burning; or by burying them in the ground.

Blessed objects made of wood may be burned, while metal, ceramic, and other non-combustible materials should be buried in the ground. Blessed objects should never be thrown in the garbage.

Holy water should be put back into the earth by pouring it into the ground outside. It should not be poured down the drain.

The most important thing is that these objects be treated with respect and disposed of in an appropriate manner once they are broken or no longer of use.

A 16, 2017 E S R L - 5

The following children were recently baptized into our faith:

Chloe Sofia Cortez, Cassidy James Cotton II and Nathalie Reine Elpedes Santos

MEETINGS FOR Pilgrimage to Eastern Canada & Nova Scotia (June 20-28, 2017)

TUESDAY, MAY 2 at 4pm In the Welcome Room of the Church

Full payment for this trip will be due at this meeting.

AND

Poland & Ukraine Pilgrimage Tour (July 29 - August 12)

TUESDAY, MAY 2 at 5pm In the Welcome Room of the Church

Poland & Ukraine Pilgrimage Tour

Cost: Twin: $2,795 | Single: $3,395 | Triple: $2,895 Includes 3 & 4 Star Hotels, 2 meals daily, all sightseeing and admission fees.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Fr. Rich at: rphiliposki@aol.com or call 902-577-6331

Miriam Hofland 04/23 Toni Davi 04/23 Mary Smith 04/23 Mary McCormick 04/23 Lucita Cleto 04/23 Arnold Gomez 04/23 Ambida Family 04/23 Oquendo Family 04/23 Gavin 04/23 Sally Crachy 04/23 Alberto Angeles 04/30 Myette Valdizno & Family 04/30 Marcita Abella & Family 04/30 Rey Ordinario 04/30 Orlando Nunez & Family 04/30 Aida Westbrook 04/30 Cristina Catanghal & Family 04/30

Zeny Quimpe & Family 04/30 Angie Calimlim & Family 04/30 Espiranza Lopez & Family 04/30 Evelyn Burke 04/30 Isabelle Karpowich 04/30 Joe Yonkowski 05/07 William & Eva Stockwell 05/07 Iris & Michael Johnson 05/07 John McCauley 05/14 Linda McCauley 05/14 Jayne McCauley 05/14 Rosalie Cusimano 05/14 Rebecca Chambers 05/14 Steve & Jami Grant 05/14 Jamie Kimball 05/14 Bill Mitchell 05/14 Burnie Wilson 05/14

Mark & Ryan Gorman & Fam. 05/14 Jason & Sophia Ludwicki 05/14 Dcn. Bill & Sylvia Cobbett 05/14 Jane Krygier 05/14 Krystal Berryman 05/14 Vester Shultz 05/14 Mary King Shultz 05/14 Kay Schmitz 05/14 Becky Winterfeld 05/14 John Blas 05/14 Jean Hill 05/14 Mary Schmitz 05/14 Vicki Bierstedt 05/14 Jace Talbot 05/14 Debbie Ingram 05/14 Gavin Prince 05/21 Steve Reinert 05/21

Judy & Acie Scott 05/21 Beverly & Jerry Black 05/21 Aragon Family 05/21 Marjorie Martinez & Family 05/21 Arnold Family 05/21 Tonnie Blea & Family 05/21 Eliana Alderete 05/21 John & Elizabeth Stefanchuk 05/21 Ione & Val Maea 05/21 Pamela & Tim Watts 05/21 SSGT Michael Dudas 05/21 Czerwinski Family 05/21 Maryann & Thomas Glushien 05/21 Sally Crachy 05/21

PLEASE PRAY for THOSE WHO ARE ILL If you have the sick person’s permission, you may request that their name be printed in the bulletin for prayers. This is strictly for the sick only. Their name will remain for four consecutive Sundays. If a longer period of time is needed, please contact the parish office. (The date next to the name is the date their name will be removed)

1st Annual Knights of Columbus

Saturday, April 29 9:00am - 2:00pm

at Our Lady of Las Vegas Roman Catholic Church

Raffle | Food Booths | Vendors Live Music | Car Awards

Hosted by TV Transport, Inc. & A-One Exhibits

For vehicle entry, sponsorship or vendor information, contact: Tom Villardi, Grand Knight at

562-569-2754 or tom@tvtransport.com Benefiting Our Lady of Las Vegas School

PARISH OFFICE CLOSURE The Parish Office will be CLOSED on

Easter Monday, April 17

A 16, 2017 6 — O L L V C C

San Pedro Calungsod 5th Anniversary and

Our Lady of Fatima 100th Year Celebration

A joint celebration of San Pedro Calungsod, the second Filipino Saint’s 5th Anniversary and Our Lady of Fatima 100th Year Anniversary of the Apparitions will be held on May 13, 2017. The celebration will start with a Novena and Mass for (9) nine days.

May 4 - 9 6:00pm In the Church May 10 6:00pm In the Chapel May 11 & 12 6:00pm In the Church May 13 4:00pm Prayers in the Church 4:30pm Mass in the Church followed by a procession and potluck reception in the Gym

Our Lady of Las Vegas Collections for Catholic Charities Dear Parishioners, Catholic Charities has closed their distribution center and resale thrift stores. Therefore, Our Lady of Las Vegas Parish will no longer be able to accept food, clothing or other items as donations for Catholic Charites. If you have items to donate, Catholic Charities has teamed with Goodwill of Southern Nevada which has 50 locations valley wide. You can call 702-214-2000 or www.goodwill.vegas.donategoods. Our parish ministries will continue to hold special donation drives for Catholic Charities, for Easter Baskets, Diapers and Baby items, throughout the year.

A 16, 2017 E S R L - 7

SACRAMENTAL MINISTRIES

Anointing of the Sick: Call the Parish Office 802-2300 Baptisms: Julia 802-2300 Funerals: Parish Office 802-2300 Weddings: Julia 802-2300

FAITH FORMATION

Religious Education & Confirmation: Liz Williams 802-2362 or lizwilliams1234@hotmail.com

RCIA: Julia Dodson 802-2300 or jdodson@ollv.org LifeTeen: Marc Sayre marcsayre@ollv.org

LITURGICAL MINISTRIES

• Altar Servers: Christian Castro 702-403-9905 castro251@msn.com • Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion

(EOM): Cynthia Stockwell 858-2011 • Homebound Ministry: Patti Brandeburg 802-2300 (parish office) • Lectors: Cynthia Stockwell 858-2011 • Music Director: David Kowaleski 245-6159 • Sacristans: Terresa Gonzales 373-8493 • Ushers: Brian Schmidt 802-2300 (parish office)

ORGANIZATIONS

• Knights of Columbus: A non-parish organization that provides service opportunities to the Catholic Church. Contact: Tom Villardi, Grand Knight 562-569-2754

• OLLV San Pedro Calungsod Alliance for Lay Adults for the Youth: Rey Espina, President 702-595-5988

• Society of St. Mary: A group of dedicated men, has been committed to the needs of the children & parishioners of OLLV. Contact: Giovanni Guarino, Vice-President: 702-301-6893

• Polish School & Dance: Elizabeth Youngman 702-232-4488 • Women’s Guild: Jessica Paxton, President 310-989-5842

DIOCESAN ASSOCIATED MINISTRIES

Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada: 702-385-2662 St. Therese Center HIV Outreach: 702-564-4224 Protecting God’s Children & Victim Assistance: Contact Ron Vallance 702-235-7723 Vocations: Office of Vocations 702-735-3500 Women’s Resource: 702-366-1247

Office of Victim’s Assistance - Help is available to you or anyone who has been abused or victimized by someone representing the Roman Catholic Church. Contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator at 702-235-7723.

ANOINTING OF THE SICK: If you are in need of anointing, even if you are homebound or hospitalized, contact the parish office at 802-2300. In an emergency situation when the office is closed, you will be directed to the emergency extension.

BAPTISMS: Baptisms are usually held on the second and fourth Saturday of each month. Parents must be registered, active parishioners at a parish for at least 3 months. Parents and Godparents must attend a baptism class (OLLV’s class is usually the second Thursday of each month). Once these requirements are met, you may then make an appointment with our Sacramental Administrator at 802-2300.

HOLY COMMUNION TO THE HOMEBOUND: If you are homebound or in a hospital and would like to receive holy communion, please contact the parish office 802-2300.

FOOD & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE: Through the generosity of our parishioners, OLLV is able to help Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada in providing assistance to needy families. Please contact Catholic Charities at 385-2662.

FUNERALS: Please call the parish office at 802-2300. If you have already made arrangements with a funeral director, a staff member will coordinate with them to meet your needs.

MARRIAGE: At least one party must be a registered active parishioner of a parish for at least 6 months before an appointment can be made with our Sacramental Administrator, 802-2300. Please contact the parish office as soon as possible as at least 6 months is necessary to fulfill the marriage preparation requirements.

MASS INTENTIONS: Mass intention requests are scheduled through the parish office during office hours. If a specific date is desired, please schedule as far in advance as possible.

PARISH REGISTRATION: Regardless of where you live, if you would like to join our parish, please register at the parish office. You may also request a parish registration form by calling the office at 802-2300 during regular business hours, email ollvparish@ollv.org or go to our on-line registration at www.ollvchurch.org.

**In order that we may better serve you, please use your parish envelopes. This way you are known to us when requesting the services of the church. Please be aware that active registration is a requirement for many parish programs.

PRAYER LIST: If you know someone who is ill or in need of special prayers (not deceased), please contact the parish office at 802-2300 or email to ollvparish@ollv.org.

Parish Manager: Julia Dodson Business Manager: Georgia Charles Office Assistant: Joseph Dodson Bulletin Editor/Registrations/Gift Shop: Cynthia Almeida

Maintenance: Rose Torchio & Joel Mondragon Finance Assistant: Susie Johnson

8 — O L L V C C A 16, 2017

Coordinator: Liz Williams 3046 Alta Drive Las Vegas, NV 89107

Phone: 702-802-2362 Email: lizwilliams1234@hotmail.com

Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday & Thursday 8:30am - 2:30pm; Tuesday 1:00pm - 2:30pm; Friday CLOSED

All Religious Education & Confirmation classes are held on the OLLV School Campus. Contact the Religious Education & Confirmation Office if you have any questions regarding these programs.

A full schedule can be found at www.ollvchurch.org | Click on Faith Formation | Click on Documents

Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (((RCIARCIARCIA) ) ) Coordinator: Julia Dodson

3050 Alta Drive | Las Vegas, NV 89107 Phone: 702-802-2300 Email: jdodson@ollv.org

Tuesday, April 26 Celebration Dinner, Ministries Night 6:00pm - 8:30pm

2017 Schedule A full schedule can be found at www.ollvchurch.org

Click on Faith Formation | Click on Becoming Catholic (RCIA) | Under Documents, click on Schedule

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CONFIRMATION - I Wednesday, April 19

Class: 6:00pm - 7:15pm Wednesday, April 19

LAST Class: 5:45pm - 7:30pm All required documents are due in order to register for

Confirmation II | School Year 2017-2018

Wednesday, April 26 LAST Class: 6:00pm - 7:15pm

Wednesday, May 3 6:00pm - 7:15pm

MANDATORY PRACTICE In the Church for First Holy Communion Students

Wednesday, May 10 6:00pm - 7:15pm

MANDATORY PRACTICE In the Church for First Holy Communion Students

QUOTE of the DAY “God has promised me eternal blessedness; that promise is as good as actual possession, for I enclose it within the confines of my impregnable hope. I do not base my hope on my liberty, so weak and fickle, nor on my limited strength, but upon the promise of God, His omnipotence, and His goodness.” — Luis M. Martinez, When God is Silent

E S R L - 9 A 16, 2017

Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic School 3046 Alta Drive Las Vegas, NV 89107

Phone: 702-802-2323 Fax: 702-802-2324 School Website: www.ollv.org Principal: Phyllis Joyce Vice-Principal: Monica Futryk

The school is collecting Box Tops for Education. You may bring them to the School Office or put them in the collection basket during the weekend’s Mass.

Monday, April 17 • Easter Break - No School Tuesday, April 18 • School Resumes Wednesday, April 19 • School Mass: 9:15am

Thursday, April 20 • Multi-Cultural Night: 5:30pm | NO Aftercare Friday, April 21 • No Special Events

LIFE TEEN: Our high school aged Life Teen program offers the youth of our parish the opportunity to gather amidst their peers to explore the truth and beauty of their Catholic faith and grow in the love of Christ in a fun and relaxed environment. We currently have two separate meetings: every other Wednesday, called LIFE NIGHTS, where we explore different issues that are relevant to teenagers, and every other Sunday, called SOCIAL NIGHTS, where teenagers gather to build and strengthen community through various social activities. All high school aged teenagers are welcomed and encouraged to attend!

LIFE NIGHTS 5:45pm - 7:30pm in the Gym SOCIAL NIGHTS 6:15pm - 7:45pm in the Gym

APRIL 19 - A Bold Profession: The Creed APRIL 23

MAY 7

MAY 14 - Last Meeting this school year

Pre-K through 8th Grade 2017/2018

All parents with prospective students for the 2017/2018 school year are invited to stop by the school office to pick up an informational packet which contains documentation outlining the school screening process. If you are unable to stop by the school office, please call 702-802-2323, and we will be happy to mail you a packet. There will be a test fee of $25 and can be paid on or before the day of the test. Please return the application form to the school office as soon as possible. Children must be 5 years of age on or before September 30, 2017 to be eligible for Kindergarten for the 2017/2018 school year. Due to the large amount of inquires received, the screening appointments may become unavailable at any time and without notice.

12 — O L L V C C A 16, 2017

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, On the weekend of April 23, 2017, our diocese will take up a collection to benefit the Catholic Home Missions Appeal and the Black and Indian Mission Appeal. The Catholic Home Missions Appeal primarily supports home mission dioceses, that is, those dioceses in the United States that are unable to offer their people the basic pastoral ministries of word, worship, and service without outside help. Other dioceses, organizations, and religious communities engaged in missionary work in the U.S. may benefit from grants for particular projects. Because of parishioners’ generosity, this year’s collection will fund over $9 million in grants to 84 dioceses. The focus of these grants is on evangelization activities, religious education, and ministry training for priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers, and lay people and support of poor parishes across the country. U.S. Catholic bishops established the Black and Indian Mission Collection to support missionary work. Ever since the first collection in 1884, the Commission has administered the yearly, national Black and Indian Mission Collection. The generosity of the People of God allows the Commission to give grants to dioceses across the country to operate schools, parishes, and other missionary services that build the Body of Christ in Native American, Alaska Native, and Black Catholic communities. Your support provides the presence of missionaries here in African American, Native American, and Alaska Native missions, schools, and religious education programs. The Diocese of Las Vegas benefits from this collection in the form of grants to assist with religious education programs as well as tuition assistance in our diocesan Catholic Schools. Please be generous in the Catholic Home Missions Appeal and the Black and Indian Mission Appeal and help strengthen the Church at home. Your support will truly make a difference. Sincerely yours in Christ, Most Reverend Joseph A. Pepe, D.D., J.C.D. Bishop of Las Vegas