Following is a March 14 email from Joan Rosenhauer, executive vice president of U.S. Operations for Catholic Relief Services to local dioceses: Thank you for your concern for the People of Japan following the powerful earthquake and tsunami that struck the country on Friday, March 11. We are receiving inquiries asking how the Catholic community is responding and I want to share with you the latest news. CRS will support Caritas Japan, the social service arm of the Catholic Church which responds with food and other assistance. They are accessing and responding to the situation at this time. Catholic Relief Service stands ready to assist Caritas Japan in this emergency. Sean Callahan, executive vice president of CRS Overseas Operations stated, "We will reach out to our Caritas partners to help them in any way we can." You may view information on the Japan disaster in English and Spanish on the CRS website, and we have included a prayer and petitions to share with your parishes. (The CRS website is http://crs.org/japan) CRS is accepting donations and will assist Caritas Japan with financial resources as well as with expertise if requested. CRS’ website has information on how to donate. Our faith calls for us to live our life in solidarity with the victims of this catastrophic disaster and Catholic Relief Services ask all to give their prayers and support to the Japanese people at the difficult time. We will continue to keep you updated as the emergency response continues. Please keep the people of Japan and those affected in the U.S. in your prayers. Donate by Phone: Call 1-800-736-3467 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Donate by Mail: Mail check or money order to Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090 in the memo portion of the check write Japan emergency. You may also donate through your parish or the Diocese of Salt Lake City Chancery: Deacon Silvio Mayo/Diocese of Salt Lake City 27 C St., Salt Lake City, UT 84103
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