On October 28th, a category 5 hurricane with winds of 180mph slammed into Jamaica. In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, communities in Jamaica, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, as well as Cuba and the Bahamas, have experienced deaths, injuries, and widespread damage. Recognizing the immediate and expected need for assistance, Archbishop Henning has requested pastors consider taking up a voluntary special collection to support Catholic Relief Services (CRS). CRS is already on the ground and will provide lifesaving support—including emergency shelter, clean water, and essential supplies—to families most at risk.
St. John-St. Paul Collaborative will hold a special second collection next weekend, November 15-16. Parishioners are asked to address their checks to their parish (St. John or St. Paul) with “Hurricane Melissa Relief” in the memo. The parish will then send what has been collected to the Archdiocese of Boston for distribution to Catholic Relief Services.
Thank you for your prayers for and generosity to the people and communities impacted by Hurricane Melissa.