Bishop Julito Cortes on Tuesday has set simultaneous Holy Masses for those who died and survived Typhoon Odette in the different parishes and chaplaincies in the Diocese of Dumaguete.
In a circular letter dated Jan. 18, he said the simultaneous the Holy Masses will be at 6 a.m. on Jan. 24.
Bishop Cortes said families are asked to submit the names of their loved ones who perished in the storm and invite the family members to join the masses.
No stipend will be collected for this particular intention, he added.
Also, this is an opportunity to pray for those who are still missing after the onslaught of “Odette” as well as those who are still reeling from its aftermath, Cortes said.
As of Jan. 15, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported 78 dead, 15 missing, and 148 injured in Negros Oriental as Typhoon Odette lashed across the Visayas on Dec. 16 last year.
Bishop Cortes hoped that this “act of communion and solidarity help console and strengthen our suffering people, and strengthen their hope for the future”.
The Prelate said in an interview with the media, while entrusting to the mercy of the Lord those who died in the storm, the diocese is also praying that their “families be given the support in prayer and to console them in their grief”.
“This is an expression of communion and solidarity of our community for all the victims of the calamity. We are One Body in Christ,” he added.
Bishop Cortes also reminded the people “to help one another (and) with the help of God, we can continue rebuilding our lives”.
The Diocese has established a Typhoon Odette Response Command Center, in collaboration with the National Secretariat for Social Action/Caritas, to help typhoon victims by providing relief goods including food, water, and housing materials.
“Makabangon ra gyud ta (We will be able to rise above this),” the Bishop said.
Meanwhile, Pope Francis has donated around 100,000 euros (around P5 million) as initial financial assistance for the victims of Typhoon Odette in Negros Oriental and neighboring provinces.
Church-run Radio Veritas reported on Wednesday that the Holy Father, through the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and in collaboration with the Apostolic Nunciature in the Philippines, allocated the financial aid for the rehabilitation of damaged homes and churches in provinces severely damaged by the disaster.
The gesture is an expression of the Pope’s solidarity with typhoon victims.
“It is intended to be an immediate expression of the Holy Father’s sentiment of spiritual closeness and paternal encouragement towards the people and territories affected,” the Vatican said in a statement.
During his Angelus on Dec. 19 last year, the Pope had extended prayers for the victims of the disaster caused by the typhoon.
At present, the social arms of the church, including Caritas Philippines and Caritas Manila, are conducting relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction in the ten dioceses that were severely damaged.
Caritas Manila has distributed up to P20 million in cash assistance to the affected areas, to include the Dioceses of Surigao, Tagbilaran, and Talibon in Bohol, Maasin, Cebu, Kabankalan and Dumaguete in Negros provinces, Taytay and Puerto Princesa in Palawan and the Archdiocese of Cagayan De Oro.
On the other hand, Caritas Philippines, headed by national director Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo, continues to visit affected areas to personally extend financial assistance and determine the extent of the damage from the recent calamity. (Judy F. Partlow/PNA)
