Haiti Earthquake Response

A letter from Catholic Releif Services:

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, with Catholic Relief Services( CRS), today issued a request for dioceses and parishes to respond to the desperate situation in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake in that island nation.

CRS has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort. The agency is geared up for a major emergency response to this severe disaster. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up our emergency capacity, and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic. Karel Zelenka, CRS Country Representative in Haiti: “I’ve been in earthquakes before. This was a major hit. And it was direct. Thousands must be dead.”

Thank you for your faithful solidarity with the people of Haiti in their time of need.


Catholic Relief Services Response:

CRS has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort. The agency is geared up for a major emergency response to this severe disaster. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up our emergency capacity, and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.
Karel Zelenka, CRS Country Representative in Haiti: “I’ve been in earthquakes before. This was a major hit. And it was direct. Thousands must be dead.”


Prayer

God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.
In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster
to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.
Be with us as we stand in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti.
Be with us in our mourning and guide our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.
With your mercy, sustain us at this time as we continue to work for peace and justice.
Amen.

For our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti Affected by the Earthquake

Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Haitian people, that help comes to them quickly and comfort comes to those who hurt.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the lost or buried, that they are found and reunited with their loved ones.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For the relief workers, that they have the tools they need, the courage and the strength to respond fully.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For the families in Haiti and in the United States who are waiting to hear from loved ones, that good news comes to them.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For those whose who have perished, may their souls rest with you, oh Lord, where they will find eternal love.
Amen.


To Help
Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is responding to victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. To donate, please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org or send a check to CRS/Archdiocese of Seattle, 710 9th Ave, Seattle WA 98104 (on the memo line, please write: Haiti Earthquake). Thank you.

We would like to encourage all of you who participate in Seattle IPA to pray for the victims and their families of the Haiti earthquake and make a donation if possible. Also, visit St. James Cathedral:

A Place of Prayer for the victims of the earthquake has been established in the Cathedral’s Chapel at the image of Mary known as Our Lady of Seattle. This 19th century statue was shipped from Italy around the horn of South America to Seattle via the Caribbean.

A special ecumenical prayer service will be held in the Cathedral on Friday, January 15th at 6:30 pm. This service of songs from Taize will include prayers and readings.