Letter from Bishop Tobin
Dear Friends in Christ,
‘When you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.’
With these words of the Gospel, the Lord reminds us of our call to help those in need, and to do so without concern for our own reward. Over the last nine months, you have done just that in giving generously to the Tsunami and Hurricane Relief efforts. Our diocesan family has contributed over $2 million dollars to assist those affected by these disasters. You have done this while maintaining your usual generosity to parish and diocesan collections. Please accept my sincere thanks.
Facing now the prospect of a cold winter and one of the most costly heating seasons ever, we know that several thousand families have already had their natural gas access terminated for non-payment of heating bills and thousands more will be forced to make difficult and often times dangerous decisions with respect to heating their homes. It is important that we reach out to help our brothers and sisters in need here in Rhode Island.
In a new initiative, I have asked the Catholic Charity Fund to match up to $75,000.00 for every dollar donated to a ‘Keep the Heat On’ challenge to assist as many as possible with heating emergencies. I ask that those who wish to donate send their contributions to Interfaith Community Dire Emergency Fund at the diocesan Office of Community Service and Advocacy, 184 Broad Street, Providence, RI 02903-4029. This interdenominational fund initiated in the late 70’s to respond to that era¹s energy crisis is staffed by the diocese and is capable of helping people throughout the state.
This fund will not address all the problems we will face this winter. However, in conjunction with other assistance programs and in collaboration with the state and federal government, perhaps we will make a difference for at least some of our brothers and sisters.
Sincerely yours,
Thomas J. Tobin
Bishop of Providence