Helping victims of Hurricane Sandy

Millions of people in the United States and the Caribbean have been severely affected by the powerful storm Sandy. Lives and homes have been lost, transportation has been crippled, and many are struggling to get by without electricity and heat amid dwindling food and fuel supplies.

Nearly 1,000 miles wide, Sandy's strong gales reached to the Great Lakes. As of November 2, it caused at least 92 deaths in seven states and left more than 8.5 million homes and businesses without power from the Carolinas to Ohio.

In the Caribbean, government officials put the death toll across the islands at 69, with more than 50 in Haiti, where widespread flooding devastated parts of the already impoverished country.

Those who escaped the storm and want to help can do so in several ways. You can make a donation to Catholic Charities USA's 2012 Disaster Fund, see: www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=2357 to assist domestic relief efforts. For those countries most affected in the Caribbean region — Cuba, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas — a donation to Catholic Relief Services, https://secure.crs.org/site/Donation2?idb=841116552&df_id=4755&4755.donation=form1 will help as the agency and its partners in the Caribbean assess the damage and provide relief supplies. The CRS Newswire. . . has an initial description of the impact and needs in Cuba and Haiti.

If you are living in the region, and are able to, another way you can help is to donate blood. Sandy caused the cancellation of about 350 American Red Cross blood drives and more cancellations are expected due to continued power outages and transportation issues. To locate a blood drive in your area, contact your local Red Cross or area hospitals

Your prayers can also help. Here are some suggested scripture readings that will help you reflect on the suffering of the storm's victims and focus on the hope of eternal life in Christ.

Psalm 91
Wisdom 3:1-3
John 11:25-26
John 14:2-6
Romans 6:3-5, 9-11
Revelation 12:4

God of all mercies, God of all consolation,
comfort us in our afflictions
that we might comfort those who are in trouble
with the same consolation we have received.

Grant this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

—from Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers, Prayer in Time of Suffering and Need.

Source: USCCB