PORTLAND — With devastation from natural disasters widespread across the globe in 2018, Diocese of Portland Bishop Robert P. Deeley has authorized a special collection at all of Maine’s Catholic churches this weekend to provide aid and support to those recovering from Hurricane Florence, the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, and other natural disasters that could potentially occur this year.

Special collections taken at Masses and services Oct. 13 and Oct. 14 at Catholic churches in York County will be forwarded to Catholic Charities USA and Catholic Relief Services, the official relief agencies of the U.S. Catholic Church. The agencies respond directly to immediate emergency needs and offer recovery support domestically and internationally.

Deeley said that Catholic Charities USA and its local agencies continue to provide bottled water, hygiene products, and additional support to victims in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

In advance of the special collection, those wishing to donate can do so by visiting www.catholiccharitiesusa.org or by calling 800-919-9338 or texting CCUSADISASTER to 71777 or sending a check with “Hurricane Florence Relief” on the memo line to: Catholic Charities USA, 2050 Ballenger Avenue, Suite #400, Alexandria, VA 22314.

More than 1,400 people were killed last month by a powerful earthquake and tsunami that struck the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia and Deeley said that Catholic Relief Services has mobilized a team to reach the families affected and provide emergency shelter and critical living supplies.

Interested individuals who wish to donate to their efforts in advance can do so by visiting https://support.crs.org/donate/indonesia-tsunami or by calling calling 877-HELP-CRS or by sending a check with “Indonesia Tsunami” on the memo line to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090.