On August 14th a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti killing nearly 1300 people, leaving thousands without shelter and many communities in need of resources. Haiti is still recovering from the disastrous earthquake a decade ago and many people continue face food insecurity and severe drought. Haiti also recently experienced the recent tropical storm Grace adding to the humanitarian disaster. Closer to home, our brothers and sisters in South Louisiana have endured Hurricane Ida, significantly damaging every parish and school community in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. It will take months if not years for these communities to rebuild. This weekend Bishop Vásquez asks that a 2nd collection be taken up for these relief efforts. He has decided that 50% of this collection will go to helping the people of South Louisiana, specifically the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, and 50% will be sent to the US Bishops’ Emergency Disaster Fund, to benefit the people of Haiti.