GREENSBURG — The Diocese of Greensburg will hold its annual special collection for the Church in Central and Eastern Europe in all parishes the weekend of Feb. 4-5.

The collection, which has the theme "Christ is the light which illumines the way" this year, supports the efforts to reestablish and restore the church in Central and Eastern Europe after years of oppression and persecution.

Funds are used to help restore religious orders and seminaries and reinstitute religious education, according to a letter Bishop Lawrence E. Brandt wrote announcing the collection.

"It will provide hope to those who ‘dream dreams’ and ‘see visions,’" he wrote.

The church in that part of the world has suffered greatly, he wrote.

"Let us help them face the enormous challenges ahead by being their source of hope," Bishop Brandt wrote.