Gaza is starving
Holy Family Catholic Church in Orange has an ongoing disaster relief fund at www.hforange.org/disaster. The weekend of August 30/31, 2025, there will be a second collection specifically for the situation in Gaza and the Middle East at the request of the USCCB and our local bishops.
[The Office of the Bishop, Diocese of Orange] received the following letter from Archbishop Timothy Broglio, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
In light of the letter, Bishop Vann requests that you take up a special collection within the next two to three weeks for this important cause.
Thank you,
— Bishop Tim Freyer
Aug. 12, 2025 - Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious
Your Eminence/Excellency:
It is with great pastoral concern for the ongoing crisis in Gaza that I write to you today. Our Church mourns the terrible suffering of Christians and other innocent victims of violence in Gaza and surrounding areas who are struggling to survive, protect their children, and live with dignity in dire conditions. The Holy Father continues to call for a cease fire and for aid to enter the territory, noting with great sorrow that “Gaza is starving.”
The Catholic Near East Welfare Association (CNEWA) is there providing vital emergency humanitarian relief and medical and psychological care for the sick, malnourished and wounded. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is working through local Church partners to provide food, shelter, cash assistance, hygiene supplies, and care for people’s emotional well-being.
Given the extraordinary nature of this crisis, I ask you to consider taking up a special collection to provide humanitarian relief and pastoral support for our affected brothers and sisters in Gaza and surrounding areas in the Middle East and send donated funds to CNEWA and CRS. Both organizations have well-established partnerships with the Catholic Church in the region which allow them to respond quickly and efficiently.
The situation in Gaza and across the Middle East cries out for the assistance of the Catholic community of the United States. I ask that you take up this collection and send funds to CNEWA and to CRS as soon as possible. Below I include how the monies from this special collection can be wired to both agencies to expedite the process.
