PARADISE FIRE UPDATE: The Catholic parish in Paradise lost their Parish Hall, offices & rectory to the wildfire. Their church and school buildings survived. Our Bishop, the Most Reverend Jaime Soto, through the Catholic Charities Office of our diocese, releases this updated message concerning the devastating fire in Butte County:
To: Pastors, Parochial Vicars, Administrators, Deacons, School and Parish Staff
From: John Watkins, Director of Catholic Charities & Social Concerns
Date: November 14, 2018
Subject: Special Collection
In light of the devastating fire ravaging the community of Paradise and surrounding areas, Bishop Soto is encouraging parishes from the Diocese of Sacramento to take up a special collection to assist the fire relief and recovery efforts already under way.
As of today, the fire has already claimed over 60 lives, and has destroyed over 9,000 structures across 138,000 acres—all numbers that we expect to grow in the coming days as firefighting and rescue operations continue. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Northern Valley Catholic Social Service are actively collaborating with partner organizations on local relief and recovery efforts.
Parishes may elect to have the special collection this Sunday or any time before the end of this year.
Send proceeds to diocesan finance office.
Individuals may send donations to the Diocese of Sacramento Fire Assistance Fund, 2110 Broadway, Sacramento, CA 95818, or donate online by visiting www.scd.org/donate.
Bishop Soto adds these words of consolation and prayer for those affected by the fires:
“We turn our support and prayers to the families in Paradise and the surrounding communities affected by the fire. We ask the merciful Father to send us His Son Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to lead you through this dark moment to the hopeful pastures of His grace. May Christ strengthen our resolve to build on the Rock of our Catholic Faith and look with hope at the living waters flowing from His most Sacred Heart. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Mother of Mercy, intercede for you so that you may know the peace and consolation of her Son, Jesus.”