Secretariat for Justice and Peace

The Office of Justice and Peace for the Diocese of Gaylord exists to provide support and information on social justice issues in our parish communities.

“Our faith calls us to work for justice: to serve those in need; to pursue peace; to defend life, dignity and rights of all our sisters and brothers. This is the call of Jesus, the challenge of the prophets, and the living tradition of the Church. ” (A Century of Social Teaching, NCCB, 1991).

Haiti Earthquake

Situation

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has ravaged the island nation of Haiti. The quake occurred 10 miles southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince just before 5pm EST (Haiti is also on EST). Port-au-Prince, with a population of over 2 million, has been devastated.

CRS Response

CRS Country Representative Karel Zelenka reports that “Port-au-Prince was covered with a plume of dust from damaged buildings. We should be prepared for many thousands of dead and injured.”CRS has made an initial commitment of 5 million dollars for immediate use in the relief effort. Our agency is geared up for a major emergency response to this severe disaster. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up our emergency capacity, and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Prayer

God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.

In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster

to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.

Be with us as we stand in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti.

Be with us in our mourning and guide our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.

With your mercy, sustain us at this time as we continue to work for peace and justice.

Amen.

For our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti Affected by the Earthquake

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the Haitian people, that help comes to them quickly and comfort comes to those who hurt.

Lord, hear our prayer.

For the lost or buried, that they are found and reunited with their loved ones.

Lord, hear our prayers.

For the relief workers, that they have the tools they need, the courage and the strength to respond fully.

Lord, hear our prayers.

For the families in Haiti and in the United States who are waiting to hear from loved one, that good news comes to them.

Lord, hear our prayers.

For those whose who have perished, may their souls rest with you, oh Lord, where they will find eternal love.

Amen.

How to Help:

Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRS

Donate online: http://www.crs.org

Write a check: Catholic Relief Services
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
Memo portion of check: Haiti Earthquake

Information for Church Bulletins:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official international humanitarian agency of the U.S. Catholic Church, is responding to victims of the massive earthquake in Haiti. To donate, please call 1-877-HELP-CRS, donate online at www.crs.org or send a check to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. In the memo portion of your check, please write: Haiti Earthquake

For more information go to crs.org and crsespanol.org