The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the United States have established a special fund for long-term assistance for the Church in Haiti, as it responds to the devastation of the January 12, 2010, earthquake.

“We applaud and encourage support of the efforts of social service and relief agencies, such as Catholic Relief Services, who are responding to the immediate and overwhelming humanitarian needs of our suffering brothers and sisters in that part of the world,” said Monsignor John E. Kozar, PMS national director.

These Societies, which include the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and the Holy Childhood Association, are the basic means of support for the pastoral and evangelizing programs in 1,150 mission dioceses, including the dioceses of Haiti.

“As the Church in Haiti assesses the massive damages and the overwhelming needs,” Monsignor Kozar continued, “they will need financial assistance as they help to rebuild the infrastructure of the Church there that will, in turn, be critical to serve the poor and enable the suffering here to rebuild their lives.” “We encourage the generous hearts of Catholics in the United States as they reach out in prayer and in sacrifice to the men, women and children who suffer even more now in this country,” Monsignor Kozar said.

“I would ask, above all, for prayers for the Church there, and for missionaries, who remain witnesses of the great love and compassion of our Lord, and of His sustaining hope.” Contributions may be directed to:  Pontifical Mission Societies, Haitian Solidarity Fund, 70 West 36th Street, New York, NY 10018. Click here if using a credit card.

The Pontifical Mission Societies consist of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, the Holy Childhood Association, the Society of St. Peter Apostle and the Missionary Union of Priests and Religious.  The Pontifical Mission Societies have, as their primary purpose, the promotion of a universal missionary spirit — a spirit of prayer and sacrifice — among all baptized Catholics.

The first three Societies, in carrying out that goal, invite baptized Catholics to express their missionary commitment by offering their prayers, personal sacrifices and financial support for the work of the Church in the Missions. The Missionary Union of Priests and Religious works to deepen mission awareness among priests, men and women Religious, catechists, and educators so that they are fully prepared to take on the mission formation of the faithful. These four Societies each received the title “pontifical” in 1922 to indicate their status as official instruments of the Holy Father and of the Universal Roman Catholic Church.