Diocese seeking donations for Haitian Relief

“Twinned” Diocese of Les Cayes appealing to Americans for help

October 12, 2016, WORCESTER, MA – Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Bishop of Worcester, has asked parishes throughout the Diocese of Worcester to take up an additional collection for relief efforts in Haiti. As Bishop McManus wrote last Thursday to the pastors, “the Diocese of Les Cayes, our twinned diocese, bore the brunt of the storm as the eye of the hurricane passed over the west end of the island nation. Cardinal Chibly Langlois has informed me that, along with the loss of all agriculture and destruction to homes, 80% of their parishes and school, which often serve as community centers for the people, have sustained significant damage. He has asked for our assistance. Therefore I am asking that a special collection be taken as soon as possible within the current schedule of our individual parishes.”

            For people interested in making a donation directly, a secure electronic donation form is available on the diocesan website at worcesterdiocese.org along with a short video of the damage in Sacred Heart Church in Les Cayes by its pastor. In addition to parish twinning by a dozen parishes, the diocese has run its Haitian Ministry for more than 25 years, which is currently led by Sr. Marie Judith Dupuy, SSA, who is from Haiti.

            Bishop McManus has also asked for needed prayers for the people of Haiti. “As importantly, we need your prayers for those who have died, for those who are struggling to find hope, families who are grieving the loss of a loved one, and for the many relief workers who are there on our behalf. In this Year of Mercy, join me in asking God, the Source of all mercy, to bring comfort and hope to all in need.”