In the immediate aftermath of the Typhoon Haiyan Disaster in the Philippines the Rector, Fr Michael Sheil SJ, launched an appeal for relief funds from the wider Clongowes family. Fr Sheil writes to say that the response has been staggering with €176,148.84 received to date from a wide variety of contributors.
The success of the appeal was helped considerably by one anonymous donation of €100,000, a cheque for €10,000 and another €10,000 from an event in Kelly’s Café in Wexford. He has already forwarded €55,000 to the Jesuit Mission Office in Dublin, from where it will go in its entirety directly to Jesuits in the Philippines for use on the ground.
Fr Sheil began by trying to respond to all donors as he received their gifts but the sheer number has made it impossible to keep up the pace. So – for the moment – he asks that you please accept his heartfelt thanks for your kindness and he will try to respond to all those whose donations he can identify.
Mother Teresa was asked once what use was the drop-in-the-ocean of her work for the poor in Kolkata. She replied, ‘if there were no drops – there would be no ocean, so please remember that your “drop” does make a difference.
“I will offer Mass for you and your Families – may the Lord reward you for your practical love of our suffering sisters and brothers in the Philippines – and for our Jesuit confrères. You can be sure that all the money we receive will go directly to the victims. I will keep you posted as the total continues to rise. Every good wish and blessing.”
Michael Sheil, S.J.
