ROCKVILLE CENTRE, New York – September 22, 2008 – The Most Reverend William Murphy, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre, authorized a special collection to assist victims of the recent hurricanes, especially in Haiti and in the southern part of the United States. 

“Over the past few weeks, many people have suffered the effects of hurricanes, especially in Haiti and in the southern part of the U.S.,” said Bishop Murphy.  “The Holy Father has encouraged us to reach out to the victims of these natural disasters, in particular to those who lost family members and homes in Haiti.”

To contribute to the Diocese of Rockville Centre Hurricane Relief Collection, parishioners are asked to contact their local parish or they can send their donation to the Chancellor’s Office, Diocese of Rockville Centre, P.O. Box 9023, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-9023.  Checks should be made out to the Diocese of Rockville Centre.  “Hurricane Relief” should be marked in the memo section of the check.  For more information contact the Chancellor’s Office at 516-678-5800, ext. 583 or chancellor@drvc.org.

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Contact:
Sean P. Dolan
Diocese of Rockville Centre
516-678-5800, ext. 625
rvcinfo@drvc.org

About The Diocese of Rockville Centre
The Diocese of Rockville Centre (www.drvc.org) was formed in 1957 and covers 1,198 square miles in Nassau and Suffolk Counties.  The diocese serves approximately 1.4 million Catholics (total population in both counties is approximately 2.8 million).  There are 134 parishes in 115 towns.  Last year over 18,000 baptisms, 18,000 confirmations, 19,000 first communions and 4,000 marriages took place in the diocese.  There are approximately 22,000 students in Catholic elementary schools; 13,000 in secondary schools and 3,300 in higher institutions. There are 69 Catholic elementary and high schools and one Catholic college in the diocese.  There are also 120,189 total students in religious