NORRISTOWN >> In times of crisis, in times of despair, that’s when the goodness of people comes shining through, the Rev. Gus Puleo said.
And it’s that generosity, that compassion he’s witnessing as he and many others continue to stretch their helping hands to victims of disasters in Mexico and Puerto Rico. As pastor of St. Patrick Church in Norristown, Puleo is leading the local charge in charitable efforts. But, he said, he’s got a lot of help.
“Businesses have been kind to us and give us a percentage of their profits for a certain amount of time to help the causes,” Puleo said. “One such business is Color Tyme (714 Markley Street, Norristown). The owner Mark Levithan is very kind. We hope other businesses will help, also.”
The parish is home to hundreds of Mexican immigrants, many of whom are from Puebla, the epicenter of last Wednesday’s earthquake, while other parishioners are from Puerto Rico, which was devastated by Hurricane Maria.
Puerto Rico is still suffering the effects of the category 4 storm that pummeled the U.S. territory of 3.4 million last Wednesday, tearing roofs off buildings and shutting down the power company’s weakened infrastructure. According to the most recent news reports the island still doesn’t have power a week after Maria made landfall, and there are shortages of fuel, medicine, food and running water. Infrastructure that was already crumbling is in ruins. The death toll from the storm was at least 10, but that number could rise.
The magnitude 7.1 earthquake that hit central Mexico last Tuesday killed at least 120 people as buildings collapsed and thousands fled into the streets in panic, and many stayed behind to help rescue those who were trapped.
Last week the local parish offered a special mass for the victims of both the hurricane and earthquake, with a special collection to be donated to relief efforts.
Currently, the parish is only collecting monetary donations, which Puleo said will be distributed evenly to Mexico City and San Juan, Puerto Rico, through Catholic channels, with the help of the Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia and the archbishops of both cities.
So far the parish has collected about $5,000, but Puleo expects much more to come in.
“People from all over have given support, prayers and money. People from as far away Princeton, New Jersey, people from other parishes in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. But more help is needed.”
Puleo said the parish will also be collecting items and clothing for the victims, but right now, money is needed to help the cities, particularly San Juan, to start the rebuilding process.
Donations should be sent to St. Patrick Church in Norristown, PA 703 Green St. Norristown, PA 19401.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
