The cathedral complex in San Pedro Sula housed 200 to 250 people at the height of the storm, including all the abused and abandoned girls from Our Little Roses orphanage. They knew it in large part because of actions of fellow church members. Boys from the diocese's technical institute and agricultural school became the heroes who shoveled mud out of the homes of the elderly and infirm. Girls from Our Little Roses, refugees themselves for a few terrifying days, returned home to sort through their remaining clothing so they could give them away to those who had lost everything. He hopes they will send help to their counterparts in Central America.
Churches come through The churches are doing what they can.
The Diocese of Northern Indiana filled three 18-wheelers full of supplies, which then were driven to Miami and transferred to boats. In the Diocese of New York, the bishops issued an emergency appeal and requested special collections be taken on Nov. 8 and 15 for emergency relief. A joint effort by the South American Missionary Society and Episcopalians in Mississippi, Wyoming and Florida made arrangements with the Dole company to ship a container full of relief supplies and non-perishable foods. It was scheduled to leave Nov. 12. Fortunately, the churches are not the only organizations helping.