From Bishop Stephen D. Parkes

OCTOBER 4, 2024

I would like to thank everyone who has helped both parish and neighbor clean up from Hurricane Helene. It has been a long week and will be a long recovery for some of our brothers and sisters who are still without power. The image below presents a good indication of the path of the storm and those who continue to be affected. We are especially grateful to emergency responders and utility personnel who are working around the clock to restore power and to care for those who have experienced loss from the storm.

Some of our parish campuses have not had power restored. Please check with your local community to confirm the weekend Mass schedule or any other modifications to planned activities.

Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Charities of South Georgia are working to provide disaster relief in the rural areas of our Diocese that may be underserved by federal and other emergency management associations.

Please continue to pray for everyone affected by Hurricane Helene across our Diocese and throughout the Southeast.

Loving and compassionate God, you are our comfort and strength in times of sudden disaster, crisis, or chaos. By your Spirit, lift up those who have fallen, sustain those who work to rescue or rebuild, and fill us with the hope of your new creation; through Christ, our rock and redeemer. Amen.

May we be blessed with compassion and patience as we continue to recover. We meet in our prayers and Rejoice in the hope that the Lord provides.

How to Help

Since so many in our Diocesan family have been affected by Hurricane Helene, we will not have a second collection. If you are able to help, please donate through Catholic Charities of South Georgia (formerly Social Apostolate of Savannah), our diocesan-wide outreach ministry, who will work directly with those in need.

FINANCIAL DONATIONS

Cash donations are always appreciated. (Please indicate that the donation is for disaster relief.)

DONATE VIA CCSG/SOCIAL APOSTOLATE

DONATION OF SUPPLIES

Catholic Charities of South Georgia is currently gathering supplies for our rural parishes in need of assistance. Items most needed:

• Portable grills (high need item)
• Solar lights with phone chargers in them (high need item)
• Tarps
• Diapers
• Clean-up buckets with cleaning supplies

Items do not have to be new, so if you would like to donate grills and lights you are no longer using, please do!

Items can be dropped off at the Catholic Charities office during regular business hoursor mailed directly to the office from Amazon:

Catholic Charities of South Georgia
502 E. Liberty Street
Savannah, GA 31401
M-F 8:30–4:00