Parishes in diocese to donate to hurricane relief

September 8, 2004

Dear brothers and sisters,

On Aug. 31, we received a message from Bishop William S. Skylstad, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) announcing that a National Collection for Hurricane Relief will be taken up in the 195 Catholic dioceses throughout the United States.

In his message to all Catholic bishops, Bishop Skylstad said, "The devastation and destruction by Hurricane Katrina is being felt in many dioceses of the United States, but most especially in Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. As the storm proceeds north through Tennessee and Kentucky even more people will be affected," he continued. "Millions of people are in need of assistance and Catholic Charities USA will be among the primary responders. Catholic Charities USA, working with the local diocesan Catholic Charities, has a professional and well developed system of reviewing the needs and providing help where it can accomplish the most good."

"The media coverage has made it abundantly clear that the needs will be great, and long lasting," Bishop Skylstad said. "At this time there is the possibility of more hurricanes coming in the next several weeks. I therefore ask you to please consider taking up a collection in your diocese for the relief of the victims of the hurricanes of this season."

"In your name I offer our fraternal support to our brother bishops in the affected areas at this tragic time," Bishop Skylstad wrote. "I urge you to invite your priests and people to remember in prayer our neighbors who have lost and suffered so much."

As the administrator of the Diocese of Sioux City, I am calling on all parishes of the diocese to assist in aiding the victims of this catastrophic natural disaster through this special collection at all weekend masses. We pray that the victims will find comfort and hope in these trying times. We also keep in our prayers those men and women who are heading into the affected areas to lend assistance.

All funds raised in the special collections last weekend (Sept. 3-4) or this weekend (Sept. 10-11) will be directed towards the national relief efforts being coordinated by Catholic Charities USA.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Msgr. Roger J. Augustine,
Diocesan Administrator