Answering the Call: Disaster Relief and Nurturing Young Disciples

We heard this past week of the devastating flooding in Texas. As Catholics, when natural disasters strike, we are typically very generous in supporting relief efforts. In Texas, as in other places, we often have people already established to aid people in need. Further, while other organizations may be good at getting immediate aid to someplace quickly, as Catholics we typically provide assistance long after other aid agencies have moved on to the next disaster. 

To help with the relief efforts in Texas, our Diocese is accepting donations to provide for the victims of the recent catastrophic flooding. This disaster has devastated communities, claiming more than 100 lives, including dozens of children, and leaving many others missing or homeless.

All funds raised will directly support those impacted, providing immediate essentials like food, clean water, clothing, and hygiene supplies. These contributions will also aid in long-term recovery efforts as individuals and families begin to rebuild their lives and communities.

You can contribute through this weekend's offertory collection at Mass, by making checks payable to Saint Patrick Parish, or by using our parish’s online giving platform. Indicate that you wish your donation to go toward “TEXAS RELIEF EFFORTS.” All donations collected by the Diocese will be sent to support the Archdiocese of San Antonio’s Catholic Charities agency.

Understandably there are many places that ask for your donations and we call upon you for your ongoing commitment to our parish efforts, including the upcoming Catholic Services Appeal this fall. However, for those who desire to give and are able, we want to assist you in making sure your donation goes to a reputable agency like Catholic Charities. 

On the parish side of things, we have a youth group and chaperones attending this year’s Steubenville Youth Conference in Rochester, MN. This is the 50th Anniversary of Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio sponsoring what is now nineteen youth conferences across the country and Canada. Their advertisement reads that they are providing “Catholics and sincere seekers a vibrant, Eucharist-centered experience of life in the Holy Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ.” It is three days packed full of inspirational talks by great Catholic speakers, music, prayer, seeing that as Catholic youth they are not alone, and of course opportunities to celebrate the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. 

Two weeks after our youth return, we will be hosting Totus Tuus and Vacation Bible School. VBS is already full, but there is still time and room in Totus Tuus to sign up for the day program for first-through-sixth graders and the evening program for middle and high schoolers. Already we have 110 youth signed up for one of these three programs, which is the most we have ever had. You don’t want to miss out and as always, we can use more adult volunteers. These important programs don’t happen unless we have adult support. 

There are always plenty of ways to support whatever effort you choose to get behind here at Saint Patrick. Whether it is time, talent, or treasure, there is always a way to support and contribute. And how blessed we are to have so many who choose to support in all three of these different ways.