During the last three weeks the parishioners of the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Mary Immaculate have been collecting funds to support relief efforts in the Philippines through the church’s worldwide emergency relief organization, Caritas Internationalist.
In order to have these funds doubled by the Canadian Federal government, all funds were sent to the Canadian office of Caritas, the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace by December 9.
Bishop John Corriveau, Bishop of Nelson Diocese, requested each parish have a special collection and the local parish pastor, Father Conrado Beloso, also held a special prayer service and Mass.
Local Filippino residents and other parishioners were present. It was pointed out that none of these local Filippinos had relatives affected by this disaster.
The collection to date in the parish is $17,660 and the Diocese of Nelson has already sent an initial contribution of $115,000 to the Philippine partner.
Part of these funds was raised by the local committee of the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace holding a fair trade product sale: coffee, tea, chocolate and sugar, on the first weekend of December and all proceeds, $1,753.75 contributed to this campaign.
Father Beloso, a Filippino himself, has said how thankful he is for the prayers and donations to help the people in such great need in his homeland.
He knows the funds given through the church’s charity emergency response organization will be effectively and efficiently used to provide emergency needs, shelter, food, water, medical support, and as well funds will be used to support long-term redevelopment.