November 8, 2012
During the past weeks we have witnessed widespread tragedy and devastation along the East Coast that has been unprecedented in our time. As the affected communities and individuals begin to rebuild their cities and their lives, we join with them in prayer and offer our total support to their efforts.
While we in the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh were fortunate to have escaped much of the devastation, our hearts cannot help but go out to our brothers and sisters in the Eparchy of Passaic, whose churches and faithful were directly in the eye of the storm.
I ask all the faithful of the Archeparchy to join in continued prayer for those affected by this tragedy. I also encourage everyone to do what they can to support the relief efforts currently underway across the country.
To this end, I ask that a collection be taken in all parishes of the Archeparchy on the weekend of November 17-18, 2012. All donations will be used to help relief efforts. The Greek Catholic Union is graciously coordinating this collection on behalf of our Byzantine Catholic Church.
To all those affected, we stand in solidarity with you. Be assured of our prayers and support as you work to restore that which has been destroyed.
With my personal prayers, thoughts and hopes for a quick return to normalcy for all who have been affected, I remain
In Christ,
William C. Skurla
Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
