A massive forest fire destroyed many houses in Colorado Springs. The residents were asked to evacuate due to heat and burns.
More than material aids, prayer requests are made to stop the fire and safeguard the lives of the people.
“Prayers are really going to be our greatest resource here,” said Mark Rohlena, president of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, on June 13. “We had a tough day today.”
“We pray that we start to get containment,” Rohlena told CNA. “The magnitude of the home losses at this stage is really hitting everybody.”
More than material aids, prayer requests are made to stop the fire and safeguard the lives of the people.
“Prayers are really going to be our greatest resource here,” said Mark Rohlena, president of Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, on June 13. “We had a tough day today.”
“We pray that we start to get containment,” Rohlena told CNA. “The magnitude of the home losses at this stage is really hitting everybody.”
Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, which is near the mandatory evacuation zone, has lost power and is closed, the Colorado Catholic Herald reports. Several parishioners’ homes have been destroyed. The Benedictine sisters of Benet Hill Monastery, which is in the center of the Black Forest, have voluntarily evacuated.
Rohlena said that Catholic Charities is helping provide food to the first responders and will likely help provide food to evacuee shelters.
“We’re reaching out to those affected. Not only to those we can identify in parish communities that we have connections with. We will be reaching out to everybody to see if there are material needs,” he said.
“At a time like this, people are looking for a way to help. We’re trying to assess those needs and mobilize folks to where they can be used.”