October 18, 2016 // Local

Emergency collection for those impacted by hurricane

Todays Catholic

A Catholic Relief Services distribution of food, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking pots, tarps and ropes takes place at the home of the town priest in Roche-a -Bateau. Roche-a-Bateau, a town roughly 30 miles south of Les Anglais, where the eye of Hurricane Matthew struck, has very few homes standing.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Earlier this month, we saw in the news the devastating effects of Hurricane Matthew in Haiti, other countries in the Caribbean, and along the coast of the southeastern United States. The relief efforts of Catholic Relief Services in Haiti and the Caribbean and of Catholic Charities in the United States have helped tens of thousands of people affected by this disaster.

Since the road to restoration of these devastated communities will be long, support is needed for the Church’s efforts to assist so many of our needy brothers and sisters. Our diocese will participate in the national collection to support the work of CRS, Catholic Charities, and the USCCB (which is also providing help to the Church in these devastated areas). Parishes in our diocese will take up the special collection at Masses on the weekend of October 29-30.

The humanitarian aid being provided by our Catholic agencies includes the provision of clean water, food, shelter, and medical care. Besides emergency relief supplies, funds are needed to support the long-term efforts to rebuild and restore the devastated communities. As we approach the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, this collection is an opportunity to show mercy and love to so many suffering people.

I also ask for your continued prayers for the victims of Hurricane Matthew. We pray for the hundreds of people who were killed in the hurricane and its aftermath, as well as for the surviving families and loved ones. We also remember in prayer the tens of thousands of people whose homes were destroyed. The worst devastation occurred in Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. I remember my visit there with CRS this past January. The Haitians are a resilient people, strong in faith. May God bless them and all who are suffering as a result of this natural disaster!

Thank you in advance for your generosity and prayers!

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades