Diocese Announces Special Collection following
Ohio-Marion County Flood EventsWednesday, June 18, 2025
WHEELING—Recovery efforts continue after the severe flash-flooding event that occurred June 14-15. Ohio and Marion Counties have experienced generational flooding resulting in loss of life, property, and livelihood. With many roads just being re-opened, the scope of the devastation is becoming more visible.
Most Rev. Mark Brennan, Bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, remains
encouraged by those who have already come forward, including volunteers from our parishes, schools, and Catholic Charities West Virginia (CCWVa) to assist in the relief efforts as well as the first responders who continue to assist the victims of this horrific event. “The flooding isn’t, as insurance companies used to say, ‘acts of God,’ he said. “It’s the people helping out whom God motivates to aid their neighbors, those are acts of God through His human creatures.”While Northern Panhandle parishes are conducting special collections for disaster assistance this weekend, Bishop Mark is asking all parishes and missions within the Diocese to conduct special collections on the weekends of June 28-29 and July 5-6 to support recovery efforts. Checks should be made out to your respective parish with “Disaster Relief” on the memo line. Donations can also be made on the diocesan website at https://dwc.org/disaster-relief/.
All of the money collected will remain in West Virginia and will be managed by CCWVa. Monies will support immediate and long term needs met by CCWVa and affiliated Catholic agencies and will be allocated along a four-tier priority list as follows:
1. Parishes in and around the affected area who directly assist families will receive funds to give aid to those in need.
2. CCWVa Regional staff will receive funding for direct, short-term recovery assistance to victims.
3. Partner agencies who work with CCWVa to administer relief to West Virginia residents affected by the flooding.
4. Funds will be given to CCWVa for long-term humanitarian and recovery efforts. This fund assists families long after other organizations have moved out, helping families and individuals in the rebuilding process to restore safe, secure, and sanitary living conditions.Please remember in prayer all those whose lives have been changed in the wake of these disasters. Let us come together now to support our brothers and sisters in Christ who have been injured and lost their homes, cars, employment, and access to food and water.
