PORTLAND — Bishop Robert P. Deeley has authorized a special collection at all of Maine’s Catholic churches to raise money for victims of recent U.S. hurricanes, the Indonesian earthquake and tsunami and any other natural disasters that might occur this year.

The funds collected will be forwarded to Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church. The agencies respond to immediate emergency needs and offer recovery support domestically and internationally.

Catholic Charities USA and its local agencies continue to provide bottled water, hygiene products, and additional support to Florence victims in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. They expect to provide further support for people affected by Hurricane Michael, which hit to Florida Panhandle this week. In advance of the special collection, those wishing to donate can do so by visiting catholiccharitiesusa.org, calling 1-800-919-9338, texting CCUSADISASTER to 71777, or sending a check with “Hurricane Florence Relief” on the memo line to: Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Suite #400, Alexandria, VA 22314.

More than 1,400 people were killed last month when a powerful earthquake and tsunami struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Catholic Relief Services has mobilized a team to reach the families affected and provide emergency shelter and critical living supplies. Interested parties who wish to donate to their efforts in advance can do so by visiting support.crs.org/donate/indonesia-tsunami, calling 1-877-HELP-CRS or sending a check with “Indonesia Tsunami” on the memo line to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.

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