Hurricane Katrina

 

Sept. 09, 2005

My dear people of God,

I wish to thank the People of God of the Diocese of Fresno who have responded so generously to the needs of those who have suffered so much as a result of Hurricane Katrina.  I wish to thank all of those who responded to the special collection taken up in our parishes.  You have donated funds, goods, and even your time to help ease the suffering of our brothers and sisters who are in such great need.

I am not surprised by the generosity of your response to this disaster.  You, the faithful of the Diocese were overwhelmingly generous in aiding the victims of the December 2004 Tsunami which devastated so much of Southeast Asia.  We sent in over $500,000 to Catholic Relief Services.

Because of you and the Faithful all over the United States, Catholic Charities USA has coordinated a planned response to this disaster, both with short term immediate aid as well as planned long-term aid.  Short term help, such as food, water, bedding, relocation, medical aid, transportation, and crisis counseling is being provided to Hurricane survivors through Catholic Charities USA, which is one of the primary responders to the relief effort.

Our own Catholic Charities is working together with Catholic Charities USA for this response.  If you wish to open your homes, volunteer your services, or make donations, please contact Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fresno at (559) 237-0851.  You may send donations directly to our Catholic Charities or to the Diocese of Fresno at 1550 N. Fresno St., Fresno, California 93703.

Please continue to keep the survivors of Hurricane Katrina very much in your prayers.  This will be long-term project for people to put their lives back in order and can only be done with the support and prayer of many people.  May those who are suffering so much find God in the midst of their suffering especially through others reaching out to them with love and compassion.  God bless you all.

The Most Reverend John T. Steinbock

Bishop, Diocese of Fresno