HAITI URGENTLY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

The Catholic community in the United States is reaching out to our brothers and sisters in Haiti in significant and immediate ways.  Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is mourning a major emergency response to this disaster and has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort.

Please keep those who are suffering in your prayers.

Bishop Larry Silva has authorized conducting a Second Collection in our Diocese for the purpose of supporting relief efforts in Haiti.

Who will contributions be given to?  To Catholic Relief Services (CRS).

Who is CRS and how will they help?  CRS is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States.  The agency provides assistance to people in more than 100 countries and territories base on need, regardless of race nationality or creed.

Where is CRS and how will they help?  CRS has permanent offices and ongoing projects in Haiti, which is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.  Eighty percent of Haitians are Catholic.  Right now, CRS is quickly mobilizing its pre-positioned emergency relief supplies including:  kitchen kits, hygiene kits, mosquito nets, bedding, water containers and other lifesaving assistance.  The National CRS office (located in Baltimore, MD) has made an initial commitment of $5 million to help the people in Haiti with immediate needs.

If you would like to donate, St. John’s will be conducting a Second Collection to support CRS relief in Haiti.  You may also call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org, or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090 Baltimore, MD  21203-7090.  In the memo portion of your check, please write:  Haiti Earthquake

Reminder about the Second Collection:

Checks written by parishioners are to be made payable to St. John and not to CRS. 

In the memo portion of your check, please write:  HAITI RELIEF

Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support for our Haitian brothers and sisters.