Diocese to support Middle Tennessee tornado victims

Bishop Richard F. Stika has requested that parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville take up two special collections to benefit the victims of the Middle Tennessee tornadoes that struck on March 3.

Those interested can also contribute online. 

“Our parishioners have always responded generously and come to the assistance of victims of natural disasters, whether it is in our own state, or elsewhere in the country, or even in the world,” Bishop Stika said.

“I have asked our parishes to conduct special collections this weekend (March 7-8) and next weekend (March 14-15) in the effort to raise funds to assist victims of the devastating tornadoes.  All money raised will be forwarded to Catholic Charities in Middle Tennessee through the Diocese of Nashville,” Bishop Stika said.

Diocese of Knoxville parishioners raised more than $360,000 to assist the victims of the 2016 fires in Gatlinburg and Sevier County. In 2017, the diocese raised more than $400,000 to help support hurricane victims in the Caribbean and the earthquake victims in Mexico.

Bishop Stika reached out to Bishop J. Mark Spalding of the Diocese of Nashville on Tuesday, March 3, and he also asked for prayers for those who lost their lives and family members, as well as for those who lost property, and for all of the first responders and safety crews involved in the rescue, recovery, and rebuilding efforts.

(CNS PHOTO/ALAN POIZNER, THE TENNESSEAN VIA REUTERS)