Marathon XIX in St. Louis, Missouri

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

As you may already know, I enjoy running and over the years have participated in 18 marathons. I am currently training to run the 26.2 mile St. Louis Rock & Roll Marathon on Oct. 21, 2012.

One of the reasons I run marathons is to raise funds for various charitable causes. Here in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois I am asking for donations to support our increasing number of vocations to the priesthood. So I am calling this my "Run for Vocations."

Since my installation as your bishop on June 22, 2010, I have spoken frequently in our parishes and on various other occasions about the need to pray for and promote increased vocations to the priesthood and religious life. God has so far answered our prayers with an increase from 11 seminarians in 2010 to our current number of 25.

If you would like to support me in this effort, I invite you to make a tax-deductible pledge donation (e.g., $2 per mile x 26.2 miles = $52.40).

If you have any prayer intentions that you would like me to include while I am running and praying, please write them down and return them to me.

As sacred Scripture says, "Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1). Your support will be greatly appreciated.

God bless you,

Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki
Bishop of Springfield in Illinois