Respond today and provide help in disaster relief efforts.
Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus

I nformation and Response NETWORK 
The Catholic Church Responds to Disasters

Flood Relief Efforts in USA

Tropical Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe

Please respond today!
Catholic Charities USA
Responds to flooding in Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri

The Catholic Church responds to disasters! In the United States: Catholic Charities USA responds to flooding in Iowa, Nebraska, and Missouri. The current round of flooding, triggered by a brutal “bomb cyclone” storm and is expected to persist across several states. Additionally, snowmelt and spring rains could create additional flooding in the weeks ahead.

AccuWeather Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said, "El Niño is likely to persist through the spring and not weaken like it usually does this time of the year." Translation: While the storms probably won’t reach “bomb cyclone” intensity, there will remain the risk of strong storms into May.

Catholic Charities USA is the official domestic relief agency of the US Catholic Church. Their disaster response teams – along with the knowledge and expertise of our member agencies – mobilize quickly and effectively to aid those experiencing or recovering from disasters.

Go to https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org to donate or contact the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at socmailbox@columbuscatholic.org . Checks also may be sent to the Finance Office, Catholic Diocese of Columbus, 197 E. Gay Street, Columbus, OH 43215. Checks are payable to Diocese of Columbus with “Midwest flooding” in the memo line.
Catholic Relief Services
Responds to Tropical Cyclone Idai in Africa

The Catholic Church responds to disasters! Globally: CRS responds to widespread destruction in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe from Tropical Cyclone Idai which has caused massive damage to infrastructure and killed upwards of 200 people, affecting 600,000 others.

Here’s what we know so far (March 20):

  • Tropical Cyclone Idai initially hit moving to Zimbabwe and Malawi in Southern Africa. It has destroyed roads, bridges and crops, and thousands of people have lost their homes. The death toll could be higher than 1,000 people, according to media reports. 

  • CRS is working with local partners in all three countries to support 4,000 households with food, emergency shelter, water and living supplies for flood-affected families. CRS also will work with partners to rehabilitate shelters and sanitation facilities and provide access to agricultural supplies and grants for those in urban areas.
Catholic Relief Services Collection
March 30-31, 2019


Help Jesus in Disguise by supporting the annual Catholic Relief Services Collection on March 3031. This collection support six national and international Catholic programs.

In the United States: Feed Jesus’ hunger in suffering refugees through the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services (MRS). Offer legal assistance to Jesus in struggling immigrants through the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC). Reach out to comfort Jesus’ loneliness in isolated workers through the pastoral work of the USCCB Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church.

Around the World: Give water to quench Jesus’ thirst in the people of Syria and Niger through the humanitarian work of Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Advocate on behalf of Jesus in the poor and marginalized through the public policy work of the USCCB Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development. Send aid to Jesus in the victims of natural disaster through the Holy Father’s Relief Fund.
Lenten Journey for Families.  The diocesan offices for Social Concerns and Marriage and Family Life have teamed up to provide a Lenten journey for families: three ways to grow together – prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Advocacy, Upcoming Events, Resources

For online resources, visit our website at

Sent by
Jerry Freewalt
Office for Social Concerns
Catholic Diocese of Columbus
197 E. Gay Street
Columbus, Ohio  43215
614-241-2540
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The Office for Social Concerns is the central diocesan resource for Catholic Social Teaching, reaching out through prayer, education, service, and advocacy.  
A clean heart create for me, God:
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Psalm 51:12