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Received in an email from Very Rev. James Misko,
Vicar General of the Diocese of Austin:
As we continue to see the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian, Bishop Vásquez asks that parishes take up a second collection on the weekend of October 15/16.
In a letter to the US Bishops, Archbishop Gomez explains, “As a result of Hurricane Ian’s havoc – first across Cuba and the Dominican Republic and then the southeast US starting in Florida – lives have been lost and many Church properties, along with homes and businesses, have been severely damaged or destroyed. This followed the impact of Hurricane Fiona, which caused devastation across Puerto Rico and other parts of the Caribbean.” He also writes, “The funds collected in this special appeal will become part of the Bishops Emergency Disaster Fund and will be used to support the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church as well as the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church, as they and their local agencies/partners respond to immediate emergency needs and aid in long-term rebuilding and recovery efforts.”
