Dear parishioners and friends of our parish,
Last week I have written in this column about the plight of the people in Haiti who are suffering from the
devastation of the recent earthquake, which killed nearly 1300 people, with death toll numbers increasing.
I mentioned about how you can help by leaving your donations in the poor boxes located at our church’s
entrances. Your gifts will enable the St. Vincent’s Society of our parish to assist those who are most affected by this
tragedy.
This week, my close friends from Port–au–Prince have updated me on the terrible situation facing those who
survived the earthquake. Apparently, the violent shocks have leveled most of their homes, leaving thousands without
shelter. Countless others are injured and hospitals are already overwhelmed. Mothers, children and
infants are crying out for help. This situation requires a much more substantial support than what our St.
Vincent’s Society can deliver with the modest donations that they receive from you in our poor boxes each week.
As you know, Haiti is a country already susceptible to hurricanes and still recovering from the disastrous
earthquake a decade ago. Many in Haiti are already facing widespread hunger due to drought and economic
instability. Given this dire situation, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio has called upon all of us in the Diocese of Brooklyn to
extend the compassion of our Church to those suffering brothers and sisters. Responding to that earnest call of our
chief shepherd, I invite you to support wholeheartedly our parish’s special collection for Haiti, to be taken up after
Communion at each Mass next weekend, September 4th & 5th. Your kind gift will deliver immediate relief to those who
are suffering so close to the Cross of Christ.
As always, I am grateful to each of you for your continued support of the Christ’s mission in our parish through your
weekly contributions. In many untold ways, you are showing the world the merciful face of God.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Msgr. Cuong M. Pham