TSUNAMI RELIEF AID

PASSES $1 MILLION

            Parishioners of the 216 churches of the Diocese of Brooklyn have contributed nearly $1 million for relief efforts aimed at assisting the survivors of the devastating tsunami that struck South Asia and Eastern Africa Dec. 26.

            Collections taken at weekend Masses after the Indian Ocean disaster amounted to $1,004,269.41 as of Feb. 1, according to a report issued by the diocesan Accounting Office.

            Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said the funds will be used by Catholic Relief Services, the Catholic Near East Welfare Association and the Catholic Medical Mission Board.

            The tsunami destruction has generated the greatest response to an emergency by Catholics in Brooklyn and Queens since the attacks on the World Trade Center Sept. 11, 2001, after which parishioners were asked to contribute funds to help the families of the victims.

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