As a native and lifelong resident of Washington, I have been witness to the Catholic Church as a beacon of hope and faith in our communities. From my ordination on May 21, 1960 to having the privilege of being named the Fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Spokane on April 17, 1990, I have had the opportunity to travel throughout our beautiful diocese, meet thousands of our diocesan family, and witness the strength of our faith. The tremendous spiritual growth and development we are witnessing in our parishes and the diocese is a great joy and your support is a gift beyond all telling.

With tremendous growth, we must meet the needs of our Catholic population as we continue the mission of the Church. What follows on the next few pages is a plan for a campaign to prepare our parishes and diocese to respond to the challenges of the future. This plan is filled with hope and optimism and will require sacrifice from us all. We call it Here I am, Lord, send me, and we believe its time has come.

As Catholics, we are the beneficiaries of the faith Christ revealed to the apostles. Although the challenges we face today are different from those faced by the early disciples, our fundamental mission remains the same. Through this campaign, we are taking the bold steps necessary to face the challenges we have identified in preparation for generations to come.

The success of this endeavor calls for your support. As Bishop of the Catholic Church of Eastern Washington, I am asking you for your help in taking responsibility for this campaign's financial success. I have every confidence that we will achieve our goals, for together we can accomplish great things.

Thank for your prayers and support. May God bless you and your loved ones.

Sincerely in Christ,

William S. Skylstad
Bishop of Spokane