Hours after May 4 storms, bishop emails requests for aid, prayers to local churches, Kansas bishops

By Tim Wenzl

Southwest Kansas Register

An e-mail message to pastors and parish administrators enabled Bishop Ronald Gilmore to call for a quick response less than 12 hours after a tornado destroyed Greensburg and St. Joseph Church there.

The tornado struck at approximately 9:45 p.m., Friday, May 4. The bishop’s message for prayers for the victims and financial assistance for the survivors was e-mailed at 8:30 a.m. Saturday morning, May 5. This message was delivered to the congregations in the Catholic churches throughout the 28-county territory at the Masses on both Saturday and Sunday.

The internet also assisted in getting the word out to the daily newspapers in the diocese and to Catholic News Service that Catholic Social Service, the Catholic Charities agency for the Diocese of Dodge City, was receiving and accepting donations for those affected by the May 4 tornadoes.

“We have been receiving donations to assist those persons in Greensburg and the communities of Macksville, Ellinwood, and Claflin that also experienced tornado damage,” stated CSS Executive Director Debbie Snapp. “We are responding through our role as a Catholic Charities agency. When a disaster as this strikes, recovery work is provided by the local Catholic Charities agencies in the impacted communities. One hundred percent of the donations we receive will go directly to those affected by these storms. No money is retained for administrative costs. In addition to financial assistance, Catholic Social Service can provide case management and mental health support.”

Additional donations may be sent to the Office of the Bishop, P.O. Box 137, Dodge City, KS 67801-0137, or directly to Catholic Social Service, 906 Central, Dodge City, KS 67801.