Sept. 14, 2021 – Bishop Peter Christensen of the Diocese of Boise is asking priests in the diocese to consider taking up a voluntary collection at the conclusion of all Masses on the weekend of Oct. 2-3 for the benefit of the Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), recently sent a letter to all U.S. bishops asking them to consider the collection to assist with the humanitarian, long-term recovery, and significant Church needs stemming from Hurricane Ida.
The hurricane made landfall in the Gulf Coast and made its way inland as a tropical storm, causing damage across several states along the East Coast. Archbishop Gomez’s request follows another request he made several weeks ago to the bishops where he asked them to consider a voluntary special collection for Haiti in the aftermath of the Aug. 14 earthquake and Tropical Storm Grace.
Bishop Peter requests that the second collection take place at the conclusion of Mass. Once the donations are counted, parishes are asked to then write a single check to the Diocese, which will then forward the funds to the USCCB during the week of October 4-8.
In his letter sent to bishops, Archbishop Gomez detailed that the funds collected in this special appeal would be used to support the pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church, as well as the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and/or Catholic Relief Services. These official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church along with their local agencies respond to immediate emergency needs and recovery efforts.
Funds will be distributed where they are most needed in response to the hurricane and the impact of subsequent flooding and tornados.
Recognizing the financial challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on parish and diocesan activities, but also acknowledging the great need for supporting the recovery efforts from the natural disasters that have hit the dioceses, Archbishop Gomez expressed hope in the generosity of the faithful and their care for those in need.
More information about the Office of National Collections and its support of emergency relief efforts can be found at www.usccb.org/committees/national-collections.
SPECIAL COLLECTIONS INSTRUCTIONS –
Hurricane Ida Collection
· Suggested Date – Weekend of October 2-3
· 2nd Collection to be taken after Mass
· Use informational press release to announce collection and its use
· Collection to be taken up and a single parish check to be written by the parish to the Diocese who will then forward funds to the USCCB for distribution to Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief Services.
· Monies to be forwarded to the Diocese the week of October 4-8.