The Trenton Times published the following article on November 12, 2013. To read the full article, click here.
Trenton diocese working to aid typhoon-devastated Philippines
By Alyssa Mease/The Times of Trenton
on November 12, 2013 at 7:20 AMThe Catholic Diocese of Trenton will raise money to help to the people of the Philippines who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan, the diocese said in a news release.
The money, which will be collected at all masses on Nov. 16 and 17, will be sent to the Conference of Catholic Bishops of the Philippines, the release said.
“The immediacy of their need underscores our need to respond immediately and not wait,” Bishop David M. O’Connell said in the release.
Authorities so far have estimated 10,000 people died, and about 4 million people were affected by Typhoon Haiyan, which hit the Philippines on Friday with winds of 147 mph. The winds, combined with a storm surge of 20 feet, leveled buildings, knocked out power to towns and left thousands of residents without basic necessities such as food and water, the Associated Press has reported.
The typhoon, one of the largest storms on record, comes a year after Hurricane Sandy barreled through New Jersey. In Mercer County, the storm toppled thousands of trees that in turn pulled down power lines and blocked roads, making many areas of the county impassable for days and knocking out power to 90,000 residents.