Diocesan parishioners give generously to hurricane relief

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
October 6, 2005

Parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City were asked to donate money to the Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As of Oct. 4, the collection total for the diocese was $316,674.30.

"This is the largest special collection I have seen since I've been at the diocese (six years)," said Julie Luft, controller for the diocese of Sioux City.

According to Luft, the special collection for tsunami relief raised $215,743 and was sent to Catholic Relief Services. The donations for Katrina are being sent to Catholic Charities USA.

"Once again, the outpouring of care and compassion - not only from our priests and religious but our laity, our schools, our parishes and various groups and organizations - has been overwhelming," said Msgr. Michael Sernett, chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux City. "It is really admirable to see not only the charity but the compassion that has been put forth by the people of the Diocese of Sioux City."

He continued that the response to the special collection for Hurricane Katrina "speaks for itself."

"The needs of those victims has been an immediate need. They have asked us for cash donations which we mandated right from the beginning," said the chancellor. "We give them a great deal of credit and praise God for the generosity of our people."

One reason that the response has been so great is that this has happened in the United States, noted Msgr. Sernett.

"People identify very clearly. They have seen everyday reports on the television, on the radio and reports of all kinds. It is closer to them. It has sometimes family members who have lived in that area," said Msgr. Sernett. "I am sure the very fact of the proximity of the disaster here in the United States has helped our people to open their hearts and their minds as well as their pocket books to respond in very generous ways."

Msgr. Sernett has noticed that, especially in recent statements, the Holy Father has asked for prayers for the victims, their loved ones and the rescue workers.

"I know those prayers for the victims have been pouring forth from all of our parishes and certainly from a number of individuals," said Msgr. Sernett.

Donations from the diocese has gone beyond cash, noted Msgr. Sernett. There have been calls for people to open their homes and vacant residences, if the need arose for people to have shelter.

"I continue to be impressed by the generosity of the people of the Diocese of Sioux City," said Luft. "Their response to people in need is inspiring."

There have also been several semitruck loads of donated items that have been sent to the hurricane victims to meet immediate needs. Now not only are there needs for victims of Hurricane Katrina but also Hurricane Rita victims, noted the chancellor.

"We are waiting for further directions or suggestions from the special committee that has been set up by the USCCB, headed by Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of the Galveston-Houston Archdiocese," said Msgr. Sernett. "We will keep following this because it is just the immediate need that we have now. We know that that need is going to go on. I am sure our people will be more than willing to continue their sacrifice and show of generosity and charity to these people in this natural disaster that has hit the Gulf Coast."