September 9, 2005 - Hurricane Katrina Update from Archdiocese
During the past two weeks the Archdiocese and its social
agencies have been constantly engaged in seeking the best ways to respond to
the needs of the
victims of Hurricane Katrina. We are trying to meet two objectives: (1)
to make the resources of the church available to the state and cities needing
help; and (2) to define specifically Catholic efforts to help victims.
The following is a brief, but significant, summary of what has been done
thus far:
- The Archdiocese through its collection for Catholic Charities USA
is sending all funds collected to the relief of victims of the hurricane.
This amounts
to direct assistance to those in need. Such assistance at this time is
absolutely the best help we can provide.
- The Archbishop will make some presently unused buildings in the
Archdiocese available for transitional housing for victims of the
hurricane. These
facilities will be available for individuals and families now housed
at the Cape and
for others who may be sent to us through Catholic Charities USA.
- Caritas Christi has made doctors and nurses available to the evacuees
at Camp Edwards on the Cape.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese is participating in an
ecumenical effort to link congregations with the needs of those
who have come
to Massachusetts. Details about this program will be made available
to parishes
as soon as
they are finalized.
- Catholic Charities is providing professional assistance of
counseling, social services and translations, as these are
needed at Camp Edwards.
Boston Catholic
Charities will also make its staff resources available to Catholic
dioceses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama as needed.
In the next few weeks it is very likely that we will need volunteer
assistance from parishes to assist victims of the storm over
the next several months.
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