Saginaw Diocese Responds to Severe Weather with Financial Assistance to Local Agencies Assisting the Poor

SAGINAW – The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw is providing $22,500 in emergency support to several agencies serving the area’s most vulnerable residents, in response to hardships caused by this winter’s unusually harsh weather.

“The record-breaking cold has had severe consequences for many people in our communities and has drained financial resources for organizations that provide vital help to those in need,” the Most Rev. Walter A. Hurley, Apostolic Administrator of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw, said today. “We are grateful for the admirable work of these organizations and are acting to help remedy the impacts of the severe weather in line with our commitment as a community of faith to respond to the needs of all people.”

Six agencies will receive funding from the Diocese:
 
•    City Rescue Mission (Saginaw County) 
•    Good Samaritan Rescue Mission (Bay County) 
•    Catholic Family Service (Saginaw County) 
•    Sacred Heart Mission (Gladwin County)
•    Vassar Ministerial Alliance (Tuscola County) 
•    Isabella County Restoration House (Isabella County) 
 
Throughout the 11 counties of the Diocese, there are many organizations and parish programs that serve the poor and vulnerable including food pantries and soup kitchens, homeless shelters, thrift shops and programs that provide assistance with rent, utilities, and other emergency needs. Without their services and knowledge of the community, countless individuals and families would have nowhere to turn in times of crisis. 

“When we support these agencies, we increase their capacity to serve and we become a sign of hope for others,” said Terri Grierson, director, Office of Christian Service for the Diocese. “There is no single program or agency that can accomplish everything, so it is important that we work together to help our neighbors. As Mother Teresa said, ‘I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.’”

Bishop Hurley urged residents and businesses to consider joining the Diocese in supporting these or other social service agencies that serve the needs of the poor and marginalized in our communities.

For more information about the Diocese of Saginaw's Office of Christian Service and its many ministries, please go to https://saginaw.org/christian-service or contact Terri Grierson at 989-797-6650 or tgrierson@dioceseofsaginaw.org

The Catholic Diocese of Saginaw was established by Pope Pius XI on Feb. 26, 1938. Today, it includes 6,955 square miles across Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Midland, Sanilac, Saginaw and Tuscola counties. In 1938, The Most Rev. William Murphy, the first Bishop of Saginaw, dedicated the entire diocese under the patroness of Mary of the Assumption.