Diocese of Brooklyn Prays for Colombia After Earthquake
JACKSON HEIGHTS — As Claudia Vallestas has feared for her family in Colombia following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Aug. 10, she is also hopeful because of the outpouring of faith and support she has witnessed.
“I’m grateful to see all of the support that we are getting from all countries, and how Colombians have been supporting each other — that is wonderful,” Vallestas told The Tablet. “Because in the middle of tragedy, we also have faith.”
Vallestas was one of hundreds who gathered at Blessed Sacrament Church on Aug. 18 as Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated a Mass dedicated to the people of Colombia.
“I pray for comfort for the people going through this difficult time,” Teresa Navarro, who attended the Mass, told The Tablet. “Some people lost everything. They are in the street with nothing, so I also pray for peace.”
As of Aug. 19, according to the United Nations, more than 300 people have died, and at least 4,400 have been injured, with more than 400 people still missing. Tens of thousands of homes and critical infrastructure also remain destroyed.
Bishop Brennan has asked all parishes in Brooklyn and Queens to take up a voluntary second collection to assist the people of Colombia. The diocese says it will send all donations received to Catholic Relief Services to provide direct humanitarian assistance, including shelter, food, and other essential aid.
After the Mass, Bishop Brennan underscored the importance of prayer.
“Mother Teresa is known for her generosity, for taking care of people. But she would always say that before we do anything, we pray, because otherwise, we’re just going through emotions,” Bishop Brennan told The Tablet. “If we pray, we bring a certain power — the power of God — with us.”
Father Carlos Agudelo, pastor of St. Leo the Great Church in Corona, was in Colombia when the earthquake struck. He acknowledged that the earthquake’s devastation is “discouraging,” but, like Bishop Brennan, he also reminded parishioners to trust their faith.
“It has been said that every crisis is an opportunity, and that’s how we Colombians see this — as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with God,” Father Agudelo said in his homily. “To reconcile with him, an opportunity to strengthen our bones without any political affiliation or border between us.
“We are Colombian, we are humanity, and we are children of the same earth.”
HOW TO DONATE FUNDS AND HELP COLOMBIA:
Make checks payable to the COMPOSTELA FUND OF THE RC DIOCESE OF BROOKLYN, with the notation “COLOMBIA.”
Mail them to:
Diocesan Finance Office at 310 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn, NY 11215