Jacksonville, Fla. – Bishop Felipe J. Estévez has coordinated a special collection for the victims of the unprecedented tornado that hit Moore, Okla. and surrounding areas on Monday, May 20.

All parishes and mission churches (60) in the Diocese of St. Augustine, which covers 17 counties of Northeast Florida will take up a special collection at all Masses on the weekends of June 8-9 or June 15-16.

Funds collected will be sent to Catholic Charities USA to assist in recovery efforts. Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, as they respond to immediate emergency needs for such necessities as water, food, shelter, and medical care, as well as to the long term need to rebuild after widespread destruction, and to the pastoral reconstruction needs of the church.

Catholic Charities USA is already in action in Oklahoma delivering emergency services to the affected areas. Our prayers and support are with the many families hit hard by the storm.

If individuals in the community want to donate to Catholic Charities for the Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund, they can call (904) 899-5500 or send checks, made payable to Catholic Charities Bureau, 134 E. Church Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202.  Please mark that the donation is for Oklahoma Tornado Relief Fund.