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October 18, 2024
Dear Friends:
On behalf of Cardinal Seán, we want to touch base on two collections, which we ask for your assistance: 1. World Mission Sunday, this Sunday, October 20; 2. Cardinal’s request for a special collection to assist those areas impacted by the two recent devastating hurricanes (Helene and Milton).
World Mission Sunday
As you know, World Mission Sunday is celebrated annually on the second to last Sunday of October; this year it will be marked on October 20th. World Mission Sunday is an important day that unites Catholics worldwide in prayer, solidarity, and support for the Church’s mission efforts. This year’s theme, chosen by Pope Francis, is rooted in the Gospel of Matthew: “Go and Invite Everyone to the Banquet.” To read the Holy Father’s message, please click here.
Maureen Heil, Director of Programs and Development for Propagation of the Faith, has been in communication with you with the necessary outreach materials including bulletin announcements, Mass announcements, Intercessory prayer intentions, and mission stories for homilies. The Pontifical Mission Societies USA “seek prayer and sacrifice to support 1,100 territories throughout the world where the Catholic Church is too young, too poor, or is actively persecuted and cannot thus be self-sufficient.” The Archdiocese of Boston has always been generous during this collection exemplified by the 2023 collection where we raised nearly $1 million in 2023 of a USA total amounting to just over $17 million.
Cardinal Seán appreciates your support for this annual collection.
HURRICANE RELIEF: HELENE AND MILTON
On September 26th Hurricane Helene, possessing 140 mph winds, made landfall in the Gulf Coast of Florida and caused enormous damage and loss of life in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Tennessee. The death toll from this Category 4 Hurricane stands at 252 people with 93 people still reported missing.
Less than two weeks following Helene, the region was impacted by Hurricane Milton, a storm that at one point was a Category 5 hurricane, with maximum winds of 180 mph. Milton made landfall in Sarasota, Florida as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph. 28 people died and 6 people remain missing.
Recognizing the immediate and growing needs for assistance, Cardinal Seán has asked that a special collection be taken in all parishes in the Archdiocese of Boston to support Church relief efforts being coordinated by Catholic Charities USA. CCUSA is the official domestic disaster relief agency of the Catholic Church in the United States. 100% of funds raised are sent directly to Catholic Charities agencies in disaster-stricken communities to care for those impacted. The people of the Archdiocese are always generous in times of great need. Most recently, for the Brazil flood relief efforts, the Archdiocese raised $245,000.
Pastors are encouraged to hold a collection over any weekend between now and November 23/24, prior to Thanksgiving. A Mass/bulletin announcement follows this message for your convenience.
Funds raised will support Catholic Charities USA across the impacted states, covering hundreds of miles. Water, cleaning supplies and hygiene kits, diapers, children’s activity kits, oral rehydration products and blankets are among the items being distributed.
To process this collection, please ask parishioners to address their checks to your parish, with “Hurricane Relief” in the memo. One check should be sent from the parish, payable to the Archdiocese of Boston, with “Hurricane Relief” in the memo.
Please send checks to:
Attn: Cashier, c/o Hurricane Relief
Archdiocese of Boston Pastoral Center
66 Brooks Drive
Braintree, MA 02184-3839
On behalf of the Cardinal, thank you for your attentiveness to these important collections and expressions of our solidarity with those who are suffering.
God bless,
Bishop Mark
Mass/bulletin announcement
Dear friends,
As you may know, people across multiple several southern states of the United States are experiencing the impacts of two deadly Hurricanes within two weeks of each other: Helene and Milton. These storms created paths of destruction exceeding hundreds of miles. The death toll for both storms is at 280 people and there are still approximately 100 people reported missing.
In response, Cardinal Seán is asking the parishes of the Archdiocese to once again step forward with a special collection to help our brothers and sisters in need. Catholic Charities USA is providing immediate disaster relief with necessities such as water, hygiene kits, diapers, and blankets among many other items.
The Archdiocese of Boston has a proud history of stepping forward to assist people in need. Whether in response to the floods in Brazil, earthquake in Haiti, Tsunami in Japan, or the relief efforts in response to the fires in Maui, we have provided necessary resources to stem the suffering. Most recently, for the Brazil flood relief efforts, the Archdiocese of Boston raised $245,000.
[parish to insert weekend for the collection]. Parishioners are asked to address their checks to [insert parish name], with “Hurricane Helene Relief” in the memo. The parish will then send what has been collected to the Archdiocese of Boston for distribution to Catholic Charities USA.
Thank you for your prayers and generosity for everyone impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
God bless,
(priest)
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