January 27, 2010
CRS Update on Haiti

Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers and donations for the people of Haiti. Attached is a second report with information about how Catholics in the U.S. are responding to the needs of our Haitian brothers and sisters through Catholic Relief Services. We continue to be awed by the outpouring of support from around the country.

As you look for resources on Haiti, CRS has lesson plans and prayer services available at http://education.crs.org. These resources can be included in your Food Fast to add a special focus on Haiti.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you again for your support of Catholic Relief Services.

Best,
Jennifer

Jennifer Swope
Catholic Relief Services - U.S. Operations
228 W. Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-951-7265 (direct)
800-235-2772 x7265 (toll free)

CRS Haiti Special Report January 27, 2010

January 12, 2010
Emergency Brief 1; Haiti Earthquake

Situation: A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has ravaged the island nation of Haiti. The quake occurred 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince just before 5pm EST (Haiti is also on EST). Port-au-Prince, with a population of over 2 million, has been devastated. CRS Country Representative Karel Zelenka reports that “Port-au-Prince was covered with a plume of dust from damaged buildings. We should be prepared for many thousands of dead and injured.”

The CRS offices were shaken, with some damage to the compound walls, but there were no injuries in the building. Two CRS staff members remain unaccounted for. Communication with Haiti remains very difficult.

There are also recently confirmed reports that the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, was a victim of the quake. The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince has sustained severe damage.

CRS Response

CRS has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort. Our agency is geared up for a major emergency response to this severe disaster. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up our emergency capacity, and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Diocesan Response

Our Catholic faith teaches us that all life is precious and all people have the right to live in dignity. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The helping hand of the US Catholic community in Haiti is Catholic Relief Services. CRS is specifically charged with disaster response on our behalf. The best way we can support the Haitian people is to pray and donate to CRS. As a diocese, Monsignor Kemme, Diocesan Administrator, has asked all parishes, beginning with the January 16-17 masses, to take up a second collection in support of CRS's humanitarian relief efforts.

Prayer

God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.
In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster
to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.
Be with us as we stand in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti.
Be with us in our mourning and guide our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.
With your mercy, sustain us at this time as we continue to work for peace and justice.
Amen.

For our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti Affected by the Earthquake

Lord, hear our prayer.
For the Haitian people, that help comes to them quickly and comfort comes to those who hurt.
Lord, hear our prayer.
For the lost or buried, that they are found and reunited with their loved ones.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For the relief workers, that they have the tools they need, the courage and the strength to respond fully.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For the families in Haiti and in the United States who are waiting to hear from loved one, that good news comes to them.
Lord, hear our prayers.
For those whose who have perished, may their souls rest with you, oh Lord, where they will find eternal love.
Amen.

How to Help

Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS
Donate online: www.crs.org
Write a check:
Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
Memo portion of check: Haiti Earthquake

OR

Diocese of Springfield in IL
Office for the Missions
1615 W. Washington
Springfield, IL 62702

Information for Church Bulletins

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is responding to victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. To donate, please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. In the memo portion of your check, please write: Haiti Earthquake

For more up-to-date information go to crs.org and crsespanol.org