Around the Diocese posted Thursday, January 14, 2010
Haiti Appeal from Bishop Michel
14 January, 2010
Dear Fellow Believers,
In Romans chapter 15 we read of the relief that first century Christians provided for fellow believers in Jerusalem who were having a rough time of it. Modern day believers are called to this high challenge and work of mercy as well. We can do no less.
Sister Adele Marie of the Sisters of St. Margaret reports on the devastating news from Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake which struck there. The Episcopal Cathedral and the Bishop’s residence is gone, Holy Trinity School, the College St. Pierre (seminary) is gone as well as the Convent for the Sisters of St. Margaret and countless churches. The Diocese of Haiti is the largest in the Episcopal Church and Haiti is the poorest nation of the western hemisphere so the needs of the Church and the country are staggering.
I am asking all the faithful in our Diocese of Pennsylvania to prayerfully consider making an offering for the relief of our suffering sisters and brothers in the Church in Haiti. I humbly request the Reverend Clergy to have a second collection on two Sundays, January 17th and 24th, for this worthy work. Checks can be drawn to The Diocese of Pennsylvania with a notation marked for Haiti/ERD or funds can be sent directly to ERD. I urge all our churches to be open for prayer for the people of our communities.
On Saturday, January 16th at 10:00 AM there will be a Eucharist celebrated at the Philadelphia Cathedral to offer up prayers for the departed and the living, the rescue workers and all those who are called to bring order to the chaos. We will pray for the indomitable spirit of the Haitian people and the protection of the Grace of God on these sisters and brothers in Christ. Please join us at the Cathedral or in your parish churches to storm the doors of heaven with our prayers.
Faithfully,
The Rt. Rev. Rodney R. Michel, Assisting Bishop of Pennsylvania
