By Hector Flores
Sister Kathleen Steadman of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church in North Merrick, said that the church has been asked by Bishop William Murphy, head of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, to begin special collections that will be used to assist hurricane victims.
"This past weekend our father [Thomas Gallagher] took 10 percent of the donations for hurricane relief and asked people to add their own donations to the offerings," Steadman said. "For the next two weeks we will be collecting envelopes for hurricane relief."
Steadman added that all collections will be forwarded to Catholic Charities USA, which will make sure that all donations are sent to areas where they can accomplish the most good as quickly as possible.
The Rev. Gil Lap, of St. Barnabas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church in Bellmore, said that his congregation is also involved in the diocese's fund-raising efforts.
"We started taking collections this weekend, but next weekend we will have our own collection," Lap said. "Thousands have been lost in the area and the length of time for normalcy to return will be a long time from now. We hope that Catholic Charities will be able to help, but it is still a disaster."
The Rev. Laurie Cline, of St. John's Lutheran Church E.L.C.A. in Bellmore, said that the church is also raising relief funds through the Lutheran Social Services, which is the church's national disaster agency.
"The Lutheran Social Services and the Catholic Charities are two of the largest social services in the nation," Cline said. "In addition, during the fourth week of September, the Lutheran Episcopalian will be providing food for all those who have taken refuge at the Astrodome in Houston, Tex. There will be $1 million worth of food and hundreds if not thousands of volunteers working together."
Cline added that her church is also planning a concert with local musicians to raise money for disaster relief.
"I'm sure that it will be an ongoing effort," she said. "It will take months if not years to clean up all the devastation. We will send an immediate offering and the concert will probably take place at the end of October."
Robert Felice, member of the Bellmore Knights of Columbus, said that over Labor Day weekend his organization started a collection drive. The group is collecting canned food, clothing and much needed medicine for those in need.
"We just started the collection drive this weekend and anything that can be sent to us will be greatly appreciated," he said.
For service hours at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church call, (516) 379-1356. For services at St. Barnabas the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, call 785-0054.
To contribute to the Diocese of Rockville Centre's Hurricane Katrina relief fund, mail donations to the Diocese of Rockville Centre, P.O. Box 9023, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-9023. Donors are asked to mark "Hurricane Relief" on their envelope and in the memo section of their check. For more information about the diocesan fund-raiser, call (516) 678-5800, ext. 583.
For information on the fund raising efforts and events at St. John's Lutheran Church E.L.C.A. in Bellmore, call (516) 785-4331.
To donate canned food or clothing to the Bellmore Knights of Columbus, call (516) 785-9407.
Comments about this story? HFlores@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 283.
