FROM BISHOP MCGOVERN:
THE DIOCESE OF BELLEVILLE
Office of the Bishop
222 South Third
Belleville, IL 62220
August 22, 2021
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As you may have seen in the media reports, the people of Haiti experienced both an earthquake and a tropical storm earlier this month. Already an impoverished nation, Haitians are attempting to cope with both human loss and the loss of so many homes and buildings, including structures the Church relies on for worship, education and charitable works.
The bishops of the United States are inviting the faithful to respond to the needs of our brothers and sisters through a special collection. I have asked the pastors of the Diocese of Belleville to invite your support in the month of September. All funds donated for Haiti will be distributed by the Emergency Disaster Fund of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops to various charities which will provide immediate aid to those who are hurting as a result of the two disasters.
As thousands of poor people in Haiti pray to God for help, I invite you to join me in being part of God’s loving response through your generous donation to this special collection.
May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Patroness of Haiti, intercede for all who died or were injured in these disasters, along with their families. May Our Lady intercede for all of us and keep us close to Jesus her Son.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Michael McGovern
Bishop of Belleville
FROM ST CLARE PARISH:
Thank you for your generous response to this special collection for the tragic situation of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. You may place your donation in the basket at the entrance of church or in the collection or online HERE for the next several weeks.
Vacation Time –
I will be taking a much-needed 2-week vacation starting Monday this week. Like many of you, I did not take a vacation last year and so I am going to use two of the four weeks allotted each year for priests. As always, I am grateful for all your support and prayers that mean so much to me. While I am away, I will carry in my prayers you and your intentions.
Fr. Jim Deiters