CHARLOTTE — Catholics from 48 parishes across the Diocese of Charlotte raised $102,663.56 through a special collection to aid victims of the Los Angeles wildfires.
Fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, the wildfires devastated communities in late January, killing at least 29 people and leaving hundreds homeless or stranded.
Funds from the special collection, taken up at Masses the weekend of Feb. 1-2, went to support Los Angeles Catholic Charities’ relief efforts. All funds raised help individuals and families in the impacted communities. Financial support is providing life-giving essentials – such as water, food, diapers and baby formula – and also is helping with long-term recovery efforts, as individuals and families work to rebuild their lives.
“Other dioceses gave us over $1.2 million from their second collections to support us in the wake of Tropical Storm Helene,” said Jim Kelley, the diocese’s development director. “We are so grateful for their support that we thought it was imperative that we return the favor for those affected by the California wildfires.”
— Catholic News Herald
Walking in the Footprints of Love
HIGH POINT — On May 2, a bridge was dedicated to honor the lives of longtime Pennybyrn Retirement Home residents Richard and Yvette Rand, a married couple who built a life there for more than 20 years. The couple spent most of their time in a cottage bordering wooded trails.
The bridge was blessed by Father Stephen Hoyt, and all six of the Rand children attended. Three spoke to the gathering of around 20 people about how much the couple loved walking through the woods at Pennybyrn. They told stories about their parents that made everyone laugh and cry.
The family contributed the funds to construct the bridge and placed it in a spot they believed their parents would have enjoyed. At the dedication, the Rand family gave out bookmarks that expressed how they wanted the bridge to enable other residents to explore the woods and love them, just as their parents did.
The bridge was named “The Rand Bridge”.
Sister Lucy Hennessey was very fond of the couple and remembered how they would pick up every piece of litter on the outside trails.
“When you walk, your step will not be impeded, and should you run, you will not stumble.” (Prv 4:12)
— Lisa M. Geraci
