Catholic Extension brings parishes together for Gulf Coast recovery

Published: 2007-08-21

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Two years after Hurricane Katrina swept through the Gulf Coast, Catholic parishes are facing the lingering effects with some churches still holding Mass in outdoor tents while others are abandoning immediate plans to rebuild. The Chicago-based Catholic Church Extension Society, which runs the Parish Partnership Program, has been aiding in the recovery of the region since September 2005. The program links parishes in the Gulf Coast with others across the U.S. in a buddy system whereby donor parishes send funds and items to parishes in need. There are 317 donor parishes from 113 dioceses enrolled in the program. "It's hard to keep the awareness that these (Gulf Coast) dioceses are still struggling," said Bridget Monahan, Catholic Extension's director of special projects. "The biggest goal of this program is to remind parishes to look outside themselves." Since September 2005, more than $1 million has been donated and sent to parishes hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Catholic Extension has launched a new Web site, www.parishpartnership.org, for existing parish partners to communicate. It also enables other parishes to sign up for the program.

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