New Orleans Relief Update from President of Catholic Charities USA
(September 13, 2005) - I am leaving the gulf coast today with mixed emotions. I have witnessed first hand the incomprehensible pain and devastation left in the wake of this disaster. I have spoken with so many people this past week and I am often struck by their deep faith in God. So many have asked for prayers and so many have offered theirs in return. Clearly, God is at work here, providing help and creating hope.
This past weekend we toured the areas directly impacted by the hurricane with the papal envoy Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum. He brought with him a message of solidarity from Pope Benedict XVI. On Sunday, he joined in the celebration of the Eucharist, praying for the victims of the disaster. The Archbishop toured Baton Rouge, where he offered comfort to Hurricane Katrina survivors and met with relief volunteers, political leaders, and his brother bishops.
On Monday, the US Marine Corp provided transportation to Biloxi, MS, to meet with Bishop Thomas Rodi. During the flight to and from Biloxi, Archbishop Cordes and those of us traveling with him had the opportunity to see the vast amount of destruction the hurricane brought, including views of New Orleans and Gulfport, MS.
I am very proud of the efforts of the primary impacted Catholic Charities agencies who have become an integral part of the massive emergency response here on the Gulf Coast. I am also proud of the Catholic Charities agencies across the country, who have responded to the needs of the people whose lives have been torn apart by this disaster.
We have started to share these stories on the Catholic Charities USA Web site (www.catholiccharitiesusa.org) and we ask that you continue to share these stories by e-mailing them to sborysiewicz@catholiccharitiesusa.org. I invite you check the website frequently for updates on our efforts and other important information.
Initiatives
The Operation Home Away from Home http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/homeaway/index.cfm is up and running. Impacted agencies have begun to access the database to inquire about available housing. Please contact Monica Castillo of Catholic Charities USA at (703) 549-1390 ext. 162 or mcastillo@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
We also want you be aware we have an online toolkit http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina/katrinatoolkit.cfm to provide information about resources available as you try to assist those in need.
Finally, we are working with the bishops in the effected areas to create the Hurricane Katrina Parish Partnership Project . We have created a Web site http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/parishpartnership/index.cfm with a database for parishes that wish to help the rebuilding process of parishes damaged or destroyed by the hurricane. Rachel Lustig, director of parish social ministry for Catholic Charities USA, will be leading this effort. She can be reached at
(703) 549-1390 ext. 174 or by e-mail at rlustig@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Media
Catholic Charities USA has responded to hundreds of media requests in the past two weeks. We are disseminating information to the media as quickly as possible. The Catholic Charities USA press office has been in constant communication with their counterparts in the region to provide them with whatever support they need. We will also provide our member agencies the ability to post local press releases easily on the national Web site. For more information on these efforts, please contact Shelley Borysiewicz, manager of media relations for Catholic Charities USA at (703) 549-1390 ext. 147 or by
e-mail at sborysiewicz@catholiccharitiesusa.org.
Fundraising
Catholic Charities USA has raised over $15 million dollars, this figure does not include any money collected through the Bishops' appeal in the parishes. We have distributed nearly $ 1 million dollars in emergency grants.
Catholic Charities USA has responded quickly to every request for funds that we have received. No request from the impacted areas has been turned down. We anticipate that these requests will increase as costs are incurred and long-term needs are determined.
Impacted agencies also report that they are receiving assistance from other groups with food, fuel, transportation, and other needs. In-kind goods and services continue to arrive into the region.
There has also been a huge outpouring of public support for Catholic Charities agencies across the country as they have begun Operation Home Away From Home to resettle evacuees.
It is important to note that the money raised by Catholic Charities USA for Hurricane Relief will be spent providing aid the people impacted by this disaster. Catholic Charities USA can anticipate that approximately three percent of the money will be used to offset the expense of managing the response to the disaster. No money is being used to offset any of the regular operating expenses of Catholic Charities USA.
Please continue to keep everyone here in the Gulf region in your prayers and know that you are in all of ours as you and your communities go above and beyond to provide assistance and comfort to thousands of people.
Rev. Larry Snyder
President
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