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Jim Goodness |
For Release : |
Archdiocese of Newark Mobilizes to Assist Hurricane Relief Efforts
At the direction of Archbishop John J. Myers, Archbishop of Newark, the parishes and agencies of the Archdiocese are undertaking a number of efforts to ease the suffering of and provide assistance to the many millions of people affected by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Alabama.
All parishes in the Archdiocese will be conducting special collections at all masses this weekend, September 3-4, and next weekend, September 10-11 to provide relief funds. Proceeds from these collections will be forwarded directly to Catholic Charities USA, in Alexandria, VA, which is coordinating all relief efforts by Catholic dioceses across the country with local Catholic Charities units in the affected states.
With the start of the new school year set for next week, the elementary and high schools of the Archdiocese are also expected to begin conducting special projects to raise funds and supplies for victims.
In addition, Catholic Health and Human Services (CHHS), which represents the health-care and social-service ministries of the Archdiocese, is taking several initial steps to respond to the dire needs of Hurricane Katrina's many Gulf Coast victims.
The CHHS Hurricane Relief Initiative offers a number of ways to help:
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Blood donations — On Friday, September 9, 2005, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saint Michael's Medical Center, 268 Martin Luther King Boulevard, Newark, will conduct a blood drive at Mother Schervier Hall
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Providing health-care services volunteers — In cooperation with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), CHHS is recruiting health-care professionals (physicians, nurses, and technicians) to volunteer for duty -- for a minimum of two weeks -- at one of the 40 field hospitals being established in the affected area. Interested individuals can register to participate in this effort through the American Hospital Association website at www.AHA.org.
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Providing grief-counseling volunteers — Also in cooperation with DHHS, CHHS is recruiting qualified counselors and mental-health professionals to volunteer -- for a minimum of two weeks -- to offer grief counseling at the 40 field hospitals.
Interested parties can register through the American Hospital Association website at www.AHA.org.
Donations to support health-care volunteers — To help make this effort possible, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark welcomes donations from New Jersey residents specifically to support the men and women from this area who volunteer for service in the stricken areas. Cash and check donations may be sent to Catholic Charities, Attn: Paul Huegel, c/o CHHS Hurricane Relief Initiative, 1160 Raymond Boulevard, Newark, N.J. 07102.
In commenting on these initial efforts to ease the suffering and address the needs created by the devastating hurricane and floods, Archbishop Myers said: “The people of the Archdiocese have always given generously and quickly in times of disasters. As needs develop and change in the coming weeks, the Archdiocese and its institutions will continue to look for ways in which we can help.”
