CATHOLIC STUDENTS OFFER PRAYERS AND RAISE FUNDS FOR VICTIMS OF NEPAL EARTHQUAKE
May 4, 2015  |  By:   |  Press Releases, The Latest  |  

JOIN HANDS FOR NEPAL 1

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles kicked off today “Join Hands for Nepal,” a fundraiser involving Catholic school and religious education students across the three-county Archdiocese for earthquake relief in Nepal, during a press conference at Immaculate Conception Catholic School in Los Angeles.

Auxiliary Bishop Alexander Salazar led the press conference and was joined by third graders who displayed handmade signs, saying “Pray for Nepal” and “We Stand with Nepal.”

“This fundraising effort provides a chance for our children to put their faith into practice and take part in helping their brothers and sisters in Nepal heal and rebuild after this tragedy,” said Dr. Kevin Baxter, Ed.D., Superintendent of Elementary Schools.

During “Join Hands for Nepal,” more than 80,000 Catholic elementary and secondary school children and religious education students will participate in fundraising events at their respective campuses through May 15.

Third graders closed Monday’s event by joining hands and reciting a prayer they wrote in honor of disaster victims in Nepal.

One hundred percent of the funds collected will be distributed based on the recommendation of Bishop Paul Simick, Vicar Apostolate of Nepal for ongoing relief efforts in the earthquake-ravaged mountainous region of Kathmandu.

The Vicar Apostolic Emeritus, Archbishop Anthony Sharma, S.J. of Nepal sent the Archdiocese a note of gratitude for its ongoing support, saying “Thank you for your kind remembrance. Do keep our suffering people in your prayers.”

An anonymous donor has pledged to match each dollar raised up to $100,000. The fundraiser is being organized by the Archdiocese’s Missionary Childhood Association (MCA). MCA is the official agency of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, for the collection and distribution of funds through the efforts of children for their underprivileged brothers and sisters around the world.

The public is invited to support the students in their efforts to help the victims of the Nepal earthquake by donating at https://missionsla.org/donate-today/.

Donations can also be made with a check payable to “Missionary Childhood Association-Nepal Emergency Relief Fund” and mailed to:

Missionary Childhood Association 

Attn: Msgr. Terrance Fleming 

3424 Wilshire Boulevard – 3rd Floor 

Los Angeles, CA 90010