Bishop Frank J. Dewane called upon all to pray as Hurricane Helene approached the Diocese of Venice and put into action plans to ensure the safety of all and recovery after the storm.
“As people of Faith, we are called to pray to Our Lord and the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of peril,” Bishop Dewane said. “May we find comfort in the Lord as Hurricane Ian threatens, and that our suffering brothers and sisters quickly find safety and comfort in the Lord.”
As Hurricane Helene approached, Bishop Dewane met with members of the Diocesan Emergency Response Team on Sept. 24 and 25, 2024, at the Catholic Center. The first of these meetings was to review and then implement existing emergency plans for all Parishes, Schools and other entities within the Diocese. The storm approaches the region near the second anniversary of the devastating Hurricane Ian. That hurricane caused widespread wind, storm surge, and flooding damage throughout the Diocese. Some of those recovery efforts are ongoing.
These emergency plans were established to ensure an ease of preparation when tropical weather threatens. Policies, checklists and basic guidance have been established to ensure that the people and the buildings within the Diocese are secured and rendered as safe as possible before a storm arrives. In addition, the emergency plans also direct actions needed to respond to the impacts of a storm.
By implementing these plans, Parishes, Schools and other entities first follow local emergency management guidance, and using this as a base, start making plans to close offices, secure and limit access to buildings and take other necessary actions.
All Diocesan Catholic schools were closed Sept. 26, and again on Sept. 27, following public schools, and each will reopen as soon as possible. Father John Belmonte, SJ, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, said “any decision to reopen will be made when the Diocese is confident individual schools have power and all facilities are safe for our students and faculty.”
Diocesan Parishes follow local guidance in terms of evacuation orders and several cancelled daily Mass, as well as other activities, with expectations to reopen when a safety assessment is completed. Parishes in areas which have limited impact (such as no loss of power or minimal damage in the area) would be expected to reopen quickly.
In addition, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., is prepared to respond and set Points of Distribution (POD) in areas of greatest need. These POD locations, preplanned and established in coordination with county and state emergency management officials, will include the distribution of water, ice and food.
After Hurricane Helene passes, those interested in volunteering to assist, donating unused hurricane supplies, or offering financial support for the recovery effort can visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org for details on how to help.
The Diocese of Venice will also be updating the website (www.dioceseofvenice.org) and posting to social media where the greatest need is and how people can help.
Please continue to pray for the safety of all involved and in the path of Hurricane Helene.
