The history of our Diocese is the history of mission. This fact was again made clear to me a few weeks ago when I had the opportunity to commemorate the contribution of the first Arizona missionary Padre Eusebio Kino. Kino died in 1711 after spending nearly 30 years on horseback baptizing, teaching, and improving the quality of life for Native Americans in Sonora and Southern Arizona. It was fitting that about 100 of us gathered (on the exact date of his death) at Tumacácori, a mission that Kino himself had founded, to celebrate the Eucharist and to add his name to our liturgical calendar.

Kino is an important figure in the history of this State, and he is also a personal inspiration to me, for he embodies the fact that the history of the church in this area of the world is intimately tied up with the concept of mission. The impulse which he began so long ago continues to shape much of what we do as parishes and as a Diocese. Arizona is the fastest growing state in the nation, which means that God calls upon us to meet the spiritual needs of new people coming to an ancient land, whether those people are poor and economically oppressed families crossing the border, or retired couples from Minnesota arriving in Winnebagoes.

Kino planted approximately 75 mission stations during his life and may have baptized as many as 30,000 people. Our goal as a Diocese is more modest but equally important—to plant at least 10 new congregations in this decade as well as to help existing congregations grow in numbers and effectiveness. In the last few years some amazing progress has been made with new plants in Desert Ridge and Peoria along with an independent Sudanese mission in Phoenix and Spanish-speaking congregation in Tucson. Work is underway on a fifth new congregation in the Sun Corridor between Phoenix and Tucson—the heart of the fastest growing county in United States.

Clearly these efforts require serious financial support. Our sources for funding are varied. One of the most important is the Alleluia Fund Annual Appeal, taking place in all our parishes this Sunday, April 6^th. By now, those on parish mailing lists will have received in the mail a brochure and contribution form. For the past two years the number supporting the Alleluia Fund has grown and now accounts for more than $100,000 a year.

I am asking that this letter be read in church today, and that clergy leaders encourage every member of their congregation to be part of this important work. Please join with me in the spirit of Eusebio Kino and with countless dedicated people who for hundreds of years have been missionaries to the people of Arizona by making your prayerful contribution to the spread of the Gospel of Jesus.

Faithfully,

+Kirk