HEALING AFTER HURRICANE MATTHEW

We will have a special Mass on Monday, November 21 at 7
p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica to come together after the storm
and to pray for continued healing, those still dealing with their
problems, and in gratitude for all who have reached out to help
their neighbors. Please join us for this special night of prayer.
And as always, please let us know if we can assist you.
God bless,
Fr. Lawrence

            As devastating as the loss of property has been, it pales next to the disruption of the lives of our beloved friends and neighbors here in St. Augustine.  Please know that our hearts are joined – more intimately than ever – to yours during these most difficult days of recovery.

            We want to assist you in any way we can to get you and your family’s life back to normal: a call to our parish (824-2806) or even to any of our Cathedral-Basilica parishioners can help to get that ball rolling.

            More importantly, we have not ceased storming heaven, for you, for your loved ones, seeking mercy, comfort, resolution, healing.  You are in our prayers constantly, from the rising of the sun even unto its setting.  May Christ’s peace return as the center of your life, even in these long, trying days.

                        Priests and staff of the Cathedral-Basilica parish

As we continue to heal in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, we recognize that many people may not be “back to normal” any time soon. Please be assured of our continued prayers as a parish as we try to deal with the needs of those around us.

So far:

we have reached out to some of the devastated areas and visited and prayed with families our Dining with Dignity group served pizza the day after the storm to those who needed it

many individual parishioners, the Knights of Columbus, and the Men’s Club have helped with clean-up

we have partnered with the Sisters of St. Joseph to provide “Dear Neighbor Packages” which provide for dignity and hygiene needs

we have partnered with the St. Francis House to provide bagged lunches – supplies donated by parishioners and lunches put together by the Middle School at CPS This weekend,

at Bishop Estévez’s request, we are taking up a second collection to assist in reconstruction needs.

On the weekend of November 12/13, we will be asking for supplies for the “dear neighbor bags” (see Sr. Jane’s letter below). We will begin a gift card drive to help people get back on their feet. Gift cards from any store would be appreciated, especially Home Depot, Lowe’s, Target, Wal-Mart, and Publix.

People who have damaged houses will be needing basic things that were destroyed, and this is just a little way to try and help. Please drop gift cards in the collection or bring them to the rectory office at 35 Treasury Street.

We are planning a special Mass in the coming weeks to thank God for the gift of those who have helped, and to pray for those still hurting. We are looking at November 21 as the date, which would be 45 days after the storm.

I also would like to direct your attention to the special note (page four of the Bulletin) from Mrs. Kathy Boice, CPS Principal, about the status of our school, and what is happening over there. And as always, please let us know if we can assist you.

God bless, Fr. Lawrence