Rosales Declares Special Sunday Collection for Typhoon Victims

MANILA, October 2, 2009-Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales has announced that a special collection will be gathered at all the Sunday masses throughout the Archdiocese of Manila this weekend in parishes, chapels and malls to help the victims of typhoon Ondoy.

"This coming Sunday, October 4, a special collection will be made at all Sunday Masses, including the anticipated Masses, in Parishes, Chapels and Malls for the victims of the Ondoy disaster," the cardinal said adding:

"A destruction as large as this becomes a call to all of us to reach out to our brothers and sisters who are out there literally still wet and cold-homeless."

He also challenged all Catholics nationwide to continue "to come to the aid of the families heavily affected by typhoon Ondoy and the floods."

Meanwhile, Fr. Anton Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, explained that donations for flood victims may be sent to any nearby parish or diocesan social action center.

"These donations can be brought to the different Social Action Centers who in turn will coordinate with Caritas Manila for distribution to the nine affected dioceses which are the Archdiocese of Manila and the Dioceses of Pasig, Kalookan, Cubao, Novaliches, Malolos, San Pablo, Parañaque, and Antipolo," he said.

Caritas Manila, the social action arm of the Archdiocese of Manila has already distributed relief goods to 20,838 affected families since relief operations started Sunday.

"We want our brothers and sisters to feel some comfort to ease their pain and suffering when they receive the relief goods," Pascual said. (Kate Laceda)