Collection to aid Middle East Christians, other victims

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has asked all dioceses to take up a second collection to aid Christians and other innocent victims of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.
The funds collected will be used by Catholic Relief Services and other Catholic agencies working in partnership with the local church to meet the most urgent humanitarian needs facing the people in Iraq, Gaza, Syria and surrounding countries where refugees have fled.
The organizations have well-established partnerships with the Catholic church in the region, which allow them to respond quickly and efficiently to victims in some of the hardest to reach areas. Collection funds will also be used to support church programs to aid persecuted Christians and to respond to rebuilding needs of Catholic dioceses in the impacted areas.
Bishop Shelton Fabre asked that the collection be taken up Saturday and Sunday.
Contributions can also be sent to the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, P.O. Box 505, Schriever, LA 70395 and indicate it is for the collection for victims of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.