Parishes, schools raise money and offer prayers for tsunami relief

Published: 2005-01-20

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the weeks following the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunamis in the Indian Ocean that hit 12 countries in Asia and Africa, Catholics around the world have contributed to relief collections for the devastated region and offered prayers for the victims and survivors in special Masses and prayer services. Although many parishes in the United States are worlds away from the devastation in Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka, they have connections to the Asian region through parish priests and parishioners. Francis and Mano Paiva, Sri Lankan natives and members of St. Edward Parish in Nashville, Tenn., recently returned to their homeland with more than $25,000 in donations from their parish community. Francis Paiva, 84, a retired social worker, was hoping to help by counseling families who lost loved ones. He and his wife planned to give the donations to Satyodaya, a Sri Lankan interreligious and interethnic organization that is coordinating relief efforts.

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