Disaster Relief

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Jan. 14 that the first in a series of direct humanitarian shipments to Cuba “in close partnership with the Catholic Church” would take place the same day — as well as another Jan. 16 — as the island recovers from Hurricane Melissa.

Several parishes and schools across Western Washington have shut down operations due to historic flooding in the state.

The infectious bites have led to an untold number of Cubans suffering from high fevers, severe headaches, painful rashes and debilitating joint pain, emptying workplaces as well as church pews.

The Diocese of Hong Kong is calling for prayer and mourning after a devastating fire at the Wang Fuk Court apartment complex in Tai Po left at least 128 people dead and around 200 still missing. As a sign of solidarity, the diocese turned its website black and white and shared a prayer for residents affected by the Nov. 26 blaze, urging the faithful to remember that “we are one family.”