CATHOLIC STUDENTS OFFER PRAYERS, RAISE FUNDS FOR VICTIMS OF ECUADOR EARTHQUAKE

April 21, 2016  |  By: newsroom  |  Press Releases  |  

Anonymous donor to match each dollar raised up to $100K

 The Archdiocese of Los Angeles kicked off “Aid for Ecuador” today, a fundraiser involving Catholic school and religious education students across the three-county Archdiocese – Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura – for earthquake relief in Ecuador, during an event with nearly 200 students at Our Lady of Loretto School in Los Angeles.

Monsignor Terrance Fleming, executive director of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Mission Office launched the “Aid for Ecuador” campaign calling students in schools throughout the Archdiocese to raise funds for relief efforts in Ecuador.

“In this Year of Mercy let us come together as ‘one family in mission’ to aid our brothers and sisters in Ecuador,” said Msgr. Fleming. “Let us be generous with our financial and spiritual giving.”

The “Aid for Ecuador” fundraising campaign is a joint effort through the Mission Office and the Missionary Childhood Association, the official papal agency for the collection and distribution of funds through the efforts of children for their underprivileged peers around the world. The fundraiser is expected to include about 80,000 Catholic elementary and secondary school children and religious education students in unique fundraising events at their respective campuses through May 6. A special collection will take place this weekend at many of the parishes throughout the Archdiocese.

During the event at Our Lady of Loretto School (TK-8), representatives of each classroom collected money in a piggy bank; second graders interpreted the song “We can make a difference,” and all the entire student body dedicated a special prayer to relief efforts in the South American country. Local Ecuadorian family who lost some members during the earthquake shared their testimonials.

An anonymous donor has pledged to match each dollar raised up to $100,000, which will be collected by the Mission Office. One hundred percent of the funds collected will be distributed based on the recommendation of Sister Cindy Sullivan, BVM, Director of the Center for Working Families in Quito, Ecuador.

The public is invited to support the students in their efforts to help the victims of the Ecuador earthquake by donating at https://missionsla.org/donate-today/. Donations can also be made with a check payable to “Missionary Childhood Association-Ecuador Emergency Relief Fund” and mailed to:

 

Missionary Childhood Association, Attn: Msgr. Terrance Fleming

3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90010

 

Photo Credit: Victor Aleman/Archdiocese of Los Angeles

AID FOR ECUADOR 1: The Archdiocese of Los Angeles kicked off “Aid for Ecuador” April 21, 2016, a fundraiser involving Catholic school and religious education students for earthquake relief in Ecuador, during an event with nearly 200 students at Our Lady of Loretto School in Los Angeles.

AID FOR ECUADOR 2: Our Lady of Loretto students worked on banners to support the “Aid for Ecuador” fundraising campaign launched by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Mission Office and the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) April 21, 2016, at the Catholic school in Los Angeles. Back row, from left to right: Lydia Gamboa, director of the archdiocesan Mission Office, Denise Barajas, MCA’s program coordinator, Nivia Aldrete-Brito, principal of Our Lady of Loretto School, Msgr. Terrance Fleming, executive director of the Mission Office, and Father Hieu Tran, pastor of Our Lady of Loretto Parish.

AID FOR ECUADOR 3: Msgr. Terrance Fleming, executive director of the Mission Office of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, addresses students of Our Lady of Loretto School, while members of the Bravo family, from Ecuador, look on. The “Aid for Ecuador” fundraising campaign was launched by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ Mission Office and the Missionary Childhood Association (MCA) April 21, 2016, at the Catholic school in Los Angeles.

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