September 19, 2017 // Diocese

Announcement regarding a special collection for Hurricane Irma victims

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades

This past week, Hurricane Irma devastated significant parts of the Southeastern United States and many islands in the Caribbean. While emergency outreach was immediate, the road to recovery and the rebuilding of communities will be long, and additional support will be needed.

The dioceses of the United States will be taking up an emergency collection for those impacted by Hurricane Irma. In the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, that collection will be taken the weekend of September 23-24 or September 30-October 1. These funds will be used to support humanitarian aid, assistance with long-term efforts to restore communities, and for the pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church in the affected areas.

This collection comes on the heels of the emergency collection for Hurricane Harvey. It is unusual for us to have special collections so close to each other; however, the damages have been so great that many need our help. The Lord calls us to reach out to our suffering brothers and sisters with our prayers and our material help.

I am grateful for your understanding and support.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

The Most Rev. Kevin C. Rhoades,
Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend