Catholics in parishes throughout the United States can contribute to the efforts of their brothers and sisters in the Archdiocese of New Orleans and the Diocese of Biloxi, two areas severely damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita one year ago. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops hopes their program “Rebuild Church, Rebuild Hope,” will offer tremendous support from parishes and dioceses throughout the U.S.

The program gains its name from a statement by Biloxi Bishop Thomas Rodi, who proclaimed to the bishops of the United States that to “rebuild the Church is to rebuild hope itself.”

In their statement on the collection the USCCB states that, “these two dioceses, so devastated by the ravages of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, are still in a state of unimaginable need. Collections in 2005 right after the hurricanes focused on immediate humanitarian relief, and only scratched the surface of the needs involved.”

“This special collection on August 26-27 focuses on rebuilding churches, schools, and other essential parts of the parishes’ infrastructure which are needed to rebuild people’s hope. Rebuilding the Church and her structures is critically important now, as many civil jurisdictions declare that they are no longer able to assist those who were displaced by the 2005 hurricanes, and will be unable to do so in the future.”

The USCCB noted that other individuals or those who can not be at Mass over the weekend of August 26-27 can drop their donations off at any Catholic Parish office.  Donations should be placed in an envelope and labeled “Rebuild Church, Rebuild Hope.”

For further information see the USCCB “Rebuild Church, Rebuild Hope" website.