In a message addressed to the faithful of the Diocese of Trenton Aug. 28, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., announced a special collection during Masses Sept. 2 and 3 to aid those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
“We who live in New Jersey are no strangers to the wrath of nature,” Bishop O’Connell wrote, recalling the devastation wrought locally in 2012 by Hurricane Sandy. “Dioceses throughout the United States responded so generously to us in the Diocese of Trenton in our time of need, contributing almost $700,000 to our diocesan relief efforts through the outreach of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Now, as Hurricane Harvey wreaks havoc and destruction in Texas and along the Gulf Coast, I am asking the parishes in the Diocese of Trenton to respond with a similar generosity by making a contribution to the “Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund” this weekend – Labor Day Weekend (September 2/3) – in a special second collection. These funds, collected by our Diocese, will be sent in their entirety to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston for disbursement among the dioceses affected by the storm.”
Bishop O’Connell asked for generosity in the donations and made a call for prayer for “our sisters and brothers affected by the storm.”