Saint Paul tells us to share with God’s people who are in need (Rom. 12:13). The recent series of natural disasters in the United States have left thousands homeless and in great tribulation. Our brothers and sisters who have lost everything to the floods and tornadoes that continue to plague our country are in great need of our assistance.

For that reason I am asking that every parish in the Diocese of Dallas have special prayers and a special collection for victims of the recent natural disasters in our country. The collection and prayers should take place the weekend of May 29-30. I ask all pastors to join me in urging their parishioners to be especially generous in their contributions.

Our prayers are necessary, but more is required as St. James reminds in his letter: “If a brother or sister has nothing to wear and has no food for the day, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you do not give them the necessities of the body, what good is it? “ (James 2:15-16).

All of us have been awed by the unbelievable suffering and devastation caused by the floods and tornadoes. Let our response to those whose lives have been upended match the enormity of the natural disasters that have been visited upon them.