“You are in my prayers and the prayers of our faithful throughout the archdiocese. Know that I am asking our parishes and entities to help with whatever they can.”
Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila
The Marshall Fire emergency relief fund, started with $250,000 from the Archbishop’s Catholic Appeal, inspired Catholic school students and parishioners throughout the archdiocese to generously double the total relief in less than a month — and it’s still growing.
One day after the destructive wildfire ripped through the towns of Superior and Louisville, destroying more than 1,000 homes and taking one life, Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila announced the formation of the emergency fund.
“You are in my prayers and the prayers of our faithful throughout the archdiocese,” Aquila said. “Know that I am asking our parishes and entities to help in whatever ways they can.”
The call by the archbishop was swiftly heeded by schools like Regis Jesuit High school which rallied its students to meet a donation goal of $5,000 this month. Good Shepherd Elementary School children met their own fundraising goal of $2,300 as well.
“The efforts by Catholic school children to serve others in need represent the compassionate love of Jesus in its purest form and are inspiring for others,” said Dave Uebbing, Chancellor & Special Assistant to the Archbishop.
Donor and Regis High School Junior Hayden N. said he was “surprised and shocked” when he first heard about the fire.
“I felt concerned I might know someone in the fire; I wondered what I could do to help,” Hayden said. “Regis teaches us to always help those in need, so I thought it was important to donate.”
A deacon from Sacred Heart of Mary Church in Boulder is heading a committee that includes members of the parishes most impacted in the Marshall Fire area, St. Louis, Immaculate Conception and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Churches. The committee along with Catholic Charities is determining ways to administer the money to victims, Uebbing said.
“I felt concerned I might know someone in the fire; I wondered what I could do to help.”
Hayden N.Donor and Regis High School Junior
“Through the parishes in the area of the Marshall Fire and the assistance of the Relief Fund, the archdiocese hopes to walk with the victims of this disaster — especially as the spiritual and physical impacts become clearer, Uebbing said. “We hope to bring the presence of Jesus Christ and his mercy to all who are affected.”
Victims do not need to be Catholic to receive relief and are encouraged to reach out to Deacon Jim at deaconjim@sacredheartofmary.com for assistance.
