Parishes nationwide continue aiding hurricane-impacted parishes

Published: 2006-08-15

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- In the year since hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated the Gulf Coast, parishes across the country have played an active role in the rebuilding process by offering monetary and spiritual support to parishes hit hard by the storms and by sending volunteers to do the dirty work of removing moldy debris, gutting damaged homes and schools, and putting up new drywall. Parishes used diverse means to connect with parishes that needed help. Some found parishes with the same name as theirs through Internet searches or phone calls to diocesan offices. Parishes run by religious orders sought other parishes sponsored by their order. Others used more personal connections by contacting the damaged parish of a friend or relative of one of their own parishioners. Many parishes have also been twinned, or paired, with those needing help through the Parish Partnership Program sponsored by the Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society. In the past year, 283 parishes in 107 dioceses joined the program, helping 101 parishes along the Gulf Coast.

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