CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT ALL HURRICANE RELIEF. 100% OF YOUR DONATION IS GOING TO DISASTER EFFORTS. 

Dear Friends, 

Please keep our Florida neighbors in your prayers as they brace for Hurricane Irma.

As you know Texas is facing a large uphill battle after seeing catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey. Many areas have received nearly 50 inches of rain. Rescue efforts are underway and the area is facing a long road to recovery.  Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief service of the US Catholic Church.  They have people and programs in place to provide both immediate and long-term help. Please click here to support their effort and help our neighbors in Texas.

Here is an update on what is happening:

Catholic Charities agencies in south Texas have been preparing since last Friday for Hurricane Harvey’s arrival.  San Antonio has been coordinating with Catholic Charities Corpus Christi to identify and deliver commodities requested by the agency there.  They have a stocked a tractor trailer rig with these supplies which will make their way to Catholic Charities Corpus Christi on Friday.  Catholic Charities in San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, Dallas and Oklahoma City are also creating additional shelter options for displaced individuals and families.  Catholic Charities agencies in affected areas are coordinating with local emergency and VOAD agencies to assess impact and identify needs.

Catholic Charities USA is coordinating the mobilization of staff of its member agencies around the country who are prepared to travel to south Texas and Louisiana to supplement the services of the affected agencies with additional counseling, case management and emergency response services.  As soon as it is possible to travel into the flood zone these volunteer Catholic Charities employees will deploy to the Arch/Dioceses of Galveston/Houston, Victoria, Corpus Christi, Beaumont, Lake Charles and other areas as needed

Cardinal DiNardo, the Archbishop of Galveston-Houston has asked all of us to join  him in prayer for all of those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.

May God, the Lord of mercy and compassion,
protect all who are still in danger,
and bring safety to those who are missing.

May He care in a special way for those who were already homeless,
or without support and resources, before the disaster.

We pray in thanksgiving for the first responders
who are risking their lives to save others at this very moment.

We include in our intentions the everyday heroes
reaching out to help their neighbors in need,
those who, like the Good Samaritan,
cannot walk by a person in need without offering their hand in aid.

Amen.