Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

9/01/05

Catholic Charities Is A Designated Agency to Respond To Disasters

Immediately following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, phone calls began pouring in to the offices of Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City Archdiocese, the Oklahoma City Archdiocese, and local Catholic churches. People wanted to know how they could help the thousands of victims across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

“We in Oklahoma understand and have experienced disasters, both natural disasters and terrorism. It is time for us to now respond and assist the victims in our neighboring states with prayers and money,” Tim O’Connor, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of OKC, stated.

“Oklahoma Catholics in our Archdiocese are asked to dig deep into their pockets twice this month, both for the Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund and our Catholic Charities Annual Appeal, which provides help to people in need locally across the Archdiocese. We pray that people will be generous in responding to all people in need,” O’Connor said.

On the first two weekends of September, the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City has asked all Catholic parishes to take up a collection for victims of Katrina. The monies collected will be forwarded to the 2005 Hurricane Relief Fund at Catholic Charities USA. Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City Archdiocese’ 2005 Annual Appeal will follow on a subsequent weekend in September.

Contributions to the 2005 Catholic Charities Annual Appeal fund local services across the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, which include counseling, family support, refugee, immigration, parish social ministry, social action, and other services, including response to disasters. Pledge envelopes will be distributed at all masses across the Archdiocese. Donors can make an annual pledge choosing a one-time donation, or by making payments monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or by credit card. These payment options make it easily affordable for people to make a contribution to the Annual Appeal and make payments throughout the year.

Without the financial support of parishioners across the Archdiocese through the Annual Appeal, Catholic Charities would not be able to support all its local services or with disasters in Oklahoma. When a disaster is outside of Oklahoma, the agency works closely with Catholic Charities USA and other organizations.

Catholic Charities plays a vital role in responding to disasters. “American Red Cross is usually the first to respond to disasters and Catholic Charities is usually the last to leave,” Julia Reed, Assistant Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Oklahoma City, said. For the Oklahoma City Murrah Building bombing, the May 1999 tornados, and the tornados affecting Cordell, Catholic Charities participated as a funder of needs and as a provider of case management services in helping people move forward in their lives. Case management staff assists families in identifying needs, accessing resources, and re-attaining self-sufficiency.

“Catholic Charities in Oklahoma City typically only begins direct involvement for federally or state-declared disasters within Oklahoma. With Hurricane Katrina, the agency is evaluating what impact it can have within and from our community,” Julia Reed said. As the primary need right now appears to be financial, Catholic Charities is directing donations to the 2005 Katrina Hurricane Relief Fund of Catholic Charities USA. CCUSA is accepting donations to ass