Catholic first-responders in the Gulf disaster

According to the NCR “Catholic groups have made up the thrust of the first responders. In response to the growing catastrophe, Catholic Charities of New Orleans opened five emergency centers in May at local churches to distribute financial aid and offer counseling to fishing families in the urban area and in communities closer to the Gulf. Financial aid comes from a $750,000 donation from BP that was paired with a $250,000 grant to the Catholic-founded Second Harvest Food Bank of greater New Orleans and Acadiana, for emergency food boxes.”

Rob Gorman, director of Catholic Charities for the southwestern Louisiana diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, also reported receiving $100,000 from BP for outreach to those affected by the spill in that area.

Catholic Charities volunteer Phyllis Diecidue helps register a fishing family for supplemental food assistance May 5 in St. Bernard Parish, a civil entity east of New Orleans.