Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ:
As you know, communities along the Gulf Coast were devastated earlier this month by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. More than two million people were displaced by Hurricane Gustav and almost two million people are still without power because of Hurricane Ike. It may take a month before power is restored and rebuilding will take years.
Catholic Charities USA has disaster response teams in place in 29 Texas counties and 42 parishes in Louisiana that were declared disaster areas. It is partnering with FEMA and other national organizations to obtain and deliver necessary supplies, including tarps, ice, water, batteries, food, diapers, cleaning kits, and generators for air conditioning for the ill and elderly.
In Louisiana, Catholic Charities USA set up a pilot Disaster Case Management program, building on the lessons learned during Katrina. Loaned case managers from Catholic Charities agencies, including personnel from the Diocese of Camden, are working with families and individuals to find short- and long-term solutions to stabilize lives.
The combined hurricanes and tropical storms so far has exceeded the damage Hurricane Katrina inflicted on New Orleans in 2005, but donations for relief efforts this time so far have fallen well short of the response to Katrina.
With this in mind, I am asking the parishioners of the Diocese of Camden to lend your financial support to Catholic Charities’ relief effort. A special Hurricane Relief Collection will be taken up in parishes of the diocese September 27-28, 2008 to help Catholic Charities’ recovery work, which includes:
- Opening one-stop distribution sites where families can access food, water, ice, hygiene kits, or other items.
- Serving thousands of hot meals to hurricane victims living in remote areas of Louisiana and sending truckloads of food and other supplies to impacted areas.
- Offering gas cards and other aid to help stranded evacuees return home.
- Offering crisis counseling.
- Continuing damage assessment to identify ongoing needs.
- Providing information about available services and counseling to returning evacuees in New Orleans.
For more information on Catholic Charities USA’s recovery efforts and how your contribution will help, see www.CatholicCharitiesUSA.org.
Thank you for your prayerful concern for our sisters and brothers in the Gulf region and for the support you will provide through this important collection.
Press Release: Bishop sets special collection for Hurricane Relief
May God continue to guide you and bless you.
Fraternally,
Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, D.D., J.C.D.
Bishop of Camden