|
September 1, 2005
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, I
am asking the Catholic faithful of the Diocese of
Pensacola-Tallahassee to observe on Sunday, September 4th
a special day of prayer for the victims and the refugees of that
terrible storm.
The devastation of Hurricane Katrina
is catastrophic, immensely tragic and affects the lives of
thousands of people. As we watch this tragedy unfold on our
television sets we can only imagine the depth of suffering which
so many endure. Their pain has special relevance to us in many
parts of the diocese who experienced our own ordeals with
Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. We can readily relate to the
feelings of vulnerability, desperation and helplessness that a
powerful storm can raise in the minds of those affected. Our
hearts and our prayers go out to the people of Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama. We trust in the mercy of God that
relief will come to them soon.
Bishop William Skylstad in his
capacity as President of the United States Conference of
Catholic Bishops has authorized a national collection to assist
with Hurricane relief. In response to this I am asking that a
special collection be taken in all of the parishes and missions
of the diocese next weekend, September 10-11. I am confident
that the faithful will be generous in their sacrifices on behalf
of those who are very much in need of our support.
In addition to a collection you may
be aware that there are numerous people from Louisiana,
Mississippi and Alabama who are now seeking refuge in our
Diocese. They are in immediate need of food, housing, clothing
and schools for their children. We have already enrolled nearly
100 of their children in our Catholic schools. Catholic
Charities is coordinating efforts to provide for other basic
needs. One of our parishes is setting up a “refugee center”
which can provide warm beds, showers and food for a number of
families. Help is needed in all of these areas and Catholic
Charities is positioned to coordinate these efforts. The four
offices of Catholic Charities throughout the diocese can receive
donations of non-perishable food and clothing. The locations of
these offices and how they may be contacted are at the bottom of
this letter.
I am asking Pastors to please
encourage everyone to respond generously to this urgent need
with their prayers and donations.
The following prayer may be used in a
manner deemed appropriate on behalf of the victims of Hurricane
Katrina. Our thanks to the Archdiocese of Miami for the use of
this prayer:
Lord, we pray for all who have been harmed by
Hurricane Katrina and ask that you hear your people who cry out
to you in need. Be for us a beacon of light in the midst of
shadows and help us to never be afraid. Bring courage to the
homeless. Bring comfort to the lost. Bring hope to the needy.
Bring rest to the weary. Gather in your arms the souls of all
who have departed this life due to Hurricane Katrina and through
the hardships and dangers that must be endured, lead us home to
the shores of peace.
May Mary, the Star of the Sea,
guide and protect us. Hail Mary…
Thank you for your response to this
letter and may God bless you.
With every best wish, I am
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Most Reverend John H. Ricard, SSJ
Bishop of Pensacola-Tallahassee
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida
Offices:
222 East Government
Street 11 First Street S.E.
Pensacola, FL
32502 Fort Walton Beach,
FL 32548
850
436-6410 850
244-2825
3128 East 11th
Street 855 West Carolina
Panama City, FL
32401 Tallahassee, FL 32304
850
763-0475 850
222-2180 |