**PLEASE NOTE UPDATED SCHEDULE BELOW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 16, 2012
ARCHDIOCESE CONTINUES SANDY RELIEF EFFORTS
Cardinal Dolan To Make Third Visit Since Storm to Staten Island on Saturday
The Archdiocese of New York is distributing nearly $1 million raised through our parish collection to those hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, particularly those who suffered losses on Staten Island, as well as lower Manhattan and some portions of the upper counties of the archdiocese. Catholic Charities Sandy Relief Fund will forward the money to the pastors in the local communities, so that they can provide immediate help to approximately 1000 families and individuals in need.
This continues the work already being done by the Catholic community. Even as Sandy hit, parishes in the most devastated communities were among the first to respond, providing food, clothing, and shelter to those in need. Soon, all parishes were engaged in bringing much needed assistance where it was most urgently required. The Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation has donated money to Catholic Charities Sandy Relief Fund, to the parishes that were damaged by the storm, and to other agencies, while the Cardinal’s Appeal has dedicated $500,000 for relief efforts. A committee of pastors from those sections of the archdiocese affected by Sandy has been overseeing these relief efforts, and will meet after Thanksgiving to begin to assess long-term needs.
Timothy Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, praised the work of those involved in the relief effort, even as he acknowledged that much work lies ahead. The Cardinal said, “It is truly inspiring to see how so many people, particularly in our parishes and communities, rose to the occasion to help others. We know that it will take time for people to be able to put all of the pieces of their lives back together, but the Church – our parishes, Catholic Charities, the Al Smith Foundation, and so many dedicated volunteers – will be there with them every step of the way. I am particularly grateful to those who contributed to our Sandy relief fund, because that will enable us to provide direct assistance to those who need it most right now.”
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York will continue their work in conjunction with the parishes in the affected areas, assisting people with many of the basics, which includes not only such essential items like food and clothing, but also with counseling, legal assistance for those filing insurance claims or applying for grants from FEMA, and working with utility companies to make certain that those still without basic services are treated fairly and do not become victims of “scams.”
Cardinal Dolan will make his third visit to Staten Island since Hurricane Sandy on Saturday afternoon. He will visit the Mount Manresa Retreat House (239 Fingerboard Road), which has opened its facilities for relief efforts and which is housing 30 displaced families, he will visit the Mission Church of Holy Rosary (207 Sand Lane) at 2:00 p.m. and he will visit the FEMA’s NYC Restoration Center on Hylan Boulevard directly afterwards where Catholic Charities workers are staffing the case management service at the center. He will also celebrate a previously scheduled anniversary Mass at Immaculate Conception parish (128 Targee Street) at 5:30 p.m.
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