*Updated 1/13/2010*

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

The devastating earthquake in Haiti has affected millions of people and today Pope Benedict XVI appealed for our help, assuring the people of Haiti that, "The Catholic Church will not fail to move immediately, through her charitable institutions, to meet the most immediate needs of the population." In addition to asking for our prayers for the people of Haiti, the Holy Father asked for our generosity in giving to "these brothers and sisters who are living a moment of necessity and pain, our concrete solidarity…"

Your help is needed!

• The diocese has encouraged all parishes to take up a second collection for the soul benefit of the people of Haiti, in the next two weeks.
   
• 100% of the funds collected will be forwarded to Catholic Relief Services, who are already on the ground and providing assistance to this suffering people and to the Catholic dioceses there.
   
• Please donate to this disaster relief through your local parish, or directly to the Diocese of Madison (Attn: Haiti Disaster Relief, 702 S. High Point Rd., Madison, WI 53719)

According to reports received via the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio to Haiti, the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, the Most Rev. Serge Miot, along with "hundreds of priests and seminarians" are buried under rubble and presumed dead. Bishop Robert Morlino emphasized, for this reason, that "it is all the more important for us to react in charity, not only for the good of the desperate material needs of this suffering population, but for their spiritual needs as well. Everyone should do what they can, and certainly everyone can offer prayers."

Please do what you can to assist our sisters and brothers in need.

Thank you in advance and may God bless our efforts!