From the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on Haiti

MEMORANDUM: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

FROM: Most Reverend Alexander Salazar, Director of the Office of Justice and Peace SUBJECT: EMERGENCY BRIEF: 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. There are recently confirmed reports that the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, was a victim of the quake as well as 100 priests. The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Port-au-Prince has sustained severe damage.

CRS Response: 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.

How to Help:
Donate via phone: 1-877-HELP-CRSDonate online: http://www.crs.org/
Write a check:
Catholic Relief Services P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Maryland 21203-7090
Memo portion of check: Haiti EarthquakePhone Text:
Please text RELIEF to 30644 and follow the instructions

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 http://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

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 disasterto 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 ones, 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.