Cardinal Dinardo Goes to Galveston After Ike (LOUISIANA AND TEXAS CATHOLIC COMMUNITIES IN CRISIS)

We really need to keep these people in our prayers. I also wish to remind people if you are able to give. Early indications are that Catholics across the nation are not quite giving like they should to help out these Catholic communities in need. I know times are tough but goodness some of these places are total losses.

ALSO IT IS NOT JUST TEXAS

............... Catholic Charities is reporting "scant" response to its appeal for relief donations following this season's Gustav and Ike.Among others, the head of Louisiana's Houma-Thibodaux diocese -- where at least 20,000 homes have been damaged, as have close to 90% of its parishes and schools -- has put out a pitch for $10 million to maintain its level of providing needed services, including meals, cleaning kits and gas cards. As schools reopened Thursday in its neighboring diocese of Beaumont -- where a $25 million capital campaign has been suspended for at least a year to focus on rebuilding -- the situation's said to be "in flux" in the archdiocese of Galveston-Houston amid estimates that half of its 151 parish plants sustained "widespread" damage and heavily-hit school communities were temporarily relocated until their buildings could reopen.

Whispers in two articles I am highlighting today has a great post on Cardinal Dinardo's visit to Galveston this weekend at The Will to Hope .

Update to Help those in the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux that is huge need Individuals, Catholic Church entities or corporations wishing to help are asked to send their contributions to: Disaster Relief Fund, Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395. Additionally, contributions may be sent through bill pay or PayPal on the diocesan Web site: www.htdiocese.org.