CHARLOTTE — Parishioners across the Diocese of Charlotte will have the chance to help victims of Hurricane Florence in special collections taking place at Masses celebrated during upcoming September weekends.
In a Sept. 18 memo to pastors announcing this collection, Monsignor Mauricio West, vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, wrote, "As you are no doubt aware, the
Carolinas and Virginia were struck by a devastating hurricane, causing fatalities, extensive flooding and high winds damage. Hurricane Florence has created a situation beyond which the local communities and agencies cannot handle without outside assistance.”
Parishioners should look for announcements from their parish as to when the collections will take place. Suggested collection times are Masses Sept. 22-23 and Sept. 29-30.
Donations should be made payable to one's local parish, noted for "Disaster Relief."
Donations will then be forwarded by parishes to the diocesan finance office, which will then distribute the funds to Church partners offering disaster relief and recovery efforts – both short-term and long-term – to affected communities.
— Catholic News Herald
Pictured: The Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church is seen in floodwater Sept. 17 in Lumberton, N.C., after Hurricane Florence hit. At least 24 people died in storm-related incidents, tens of thousands of homes were damaged, and about 500,000 homes and businesses were still without power Sept. 17. (CNS photo/Jason Miczek, Reuters)