Palm Beach diocese to hold Mass for Colombia earthquake victims

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. —

The Diocese of Palm Beach announced on Tuesday, Aug. 11, that Bishop Manuel de Jesus Rodriguez will lead a special Mass for victims of the earthquake in Colombia on Saturday, August 15, at 11:30 a.m.

The diocese is partnering with St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and School to host the event.

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“Let us come together in solidarity and entrust the people of Colombia to God’s loving care. May He grant comfort to the grieving, healing to the wounded, and strength to all those working to bring relief and hope in the wake of this disaster,” Bishop Rodriguez said in a statement on social media.

Survivors gather on a makeshift camp following an earthquake at Olaya Herrera park in Pereira, Colombia on August 11, 2026. Colombian volunteers and rescuers cleared rubble with their bare hands to search for survivors early on August 11 after the country’s strongest earthquake in a decade killed at least 169 people and smashed dozens of buildings. (Photo by Luis ACOSTA / AFP via Getty Images)

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, over 38,000 people of Colombian origin live in Palm Beach County, having a significant impact on the local community.

Volunteers at Doral-headquartered Global Empowerment Mission are working to collect relief supplies for quake-damaged Colombia. Priority needs include new tents, tarps, hygiene supplies, and first aid kits.

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The organization is also accepting cash donations, which they say will help procure other items needed in-country, such as canned goods and baby supplies. This approach will increase cost efficiency and expedite delivery to those in need.

“So we can get many of those kits simultaneously made in Colombia,” a representative said.

Global Empowerment Mission is also continuing to collect items for survivors of the earthquake in Venezuela.