In the letter of Fr. C. Wilson, Provincial of South India Province to Superior General we read,
Dear Rev. Fr. Gregory,
Greetings of peace and joy!
I am writing these few lines to update you about the devastating Philine cyclone and the unexpected flood that devastated most part of the Northern Indian Province, especially Gopalpur, Berhampur, Baripada and Balasore. Since the cyclone predictions were accurate and a huge evacuation was done the human casualities were a minimum. But there is a total devastation and destruction in Berhampur, Gopalpur and Baripada. The communication system and the electricity are snapped and it will take months to rectify that. With lots of difficulty today i could reach out to Fr. Joseph Maniangat. He is totally cut off from the rest of the world. All the trees in our properties are destroyed and the all the formation houses remain desolate and it will take lot of time and need huge money to bring to normal condition. We are earnestly praying for them and request you and the confreres prayers and support for them at this time of need, loss and difficulties. Fr. Joseph Maniangat may be able to contact you about a week later and update you.
Kindly keep our brothers of the Northern Province in your prayers.

Fr. Chellan Wilson, CM
Vincentian Provincialate
#419, Bannimantap II Main “C” Layout
Mysore – 570 015.
Karnataka, India.

After the cyclone’s landfall, Gandjam, Orissa

Another appeal comes from Fr. Venerando Agner, the Provincial of Philippines:

16 October 2013
To all our friends, benefactors, donors!
Dear Everyone,
Greetings!

It is indeed unfortunate, that on October 15, 2013, and earthquake with magnitude of 7.2 struck Cebu and Behol causing loss of lives and damages to infrastructures, churches, private establishments and houses. Official reports say that there are 99 casualties, 276 injured, and 558,390 families affected with 2,533 families of them being permanently displaced because of the earthquake.
Fortunately, the Filipino spirit of bayanihan never wavers in times such as this and together, we can help the affected families to bounce back and rise after this calamity. Through the coordinated efforts of the Vincentian Family, we make an effort to help the victims of the earthquake in the provinces of Bohol and Cebu. We are asking for your contributions preferably in cash/check so that we can send valuable assistance to affected families and communities.

For cash/check donations please deposit them to our MetrobankTandangSora Account:
Account Name: CM – Vincentian Social Ministry
Account Number: 326-7-326-514-345
For dollar donations, kindly use the Swift Code: MBTCPHMM

For inquiries and other concerns, kindly contact the Vincentian Social Ministry Office:

tel. +63 292 680 63 ext 24 (look for Mr. Dhen Mark Valera)
mobile: +63 906 765 7321
email: cmphil_vsm@yahoo.com.ph

As Saint Vincent de Paul said,“Charity is the cement which binds communities to God and persons to one another.” Together we can helps our brothers rise from this calamity and assist in rebuilding their lives and communities. Thank you very much for your help.

Sincerely.
Rev. Fr. Venerando D. Agner, C.M.
Provincial Visitor

Some destroyed churches in Bohol Province, Philippines

Artykuł jest także dostępny w języku polskim na stronie
Famvin.org Polska

Morning light on Sunday revealed some of the damage from Tropical Cyclone Phailin, which made landfall on India’s eastern coast as the strongest storm to hit India in 14 years. Power lines and trees were down and cars were overturned near the spot where the center of the storm struck the coast around 9 p.m. (11:30 a.m. EDT) Saturday in eastern Odisha state, along the Bay of Bengal. Debris littered wet streets, roofs were torn off houses and windows on buildings were smashed in Brahmapur.
More can be read from various media reports, as CNN,, The Guardian, BBC or USA Today.

The quake in Philippines, which struck early in the morning on Tuesday, the national holiday, killed over 100 people and injured over 160 people Cebu, Siquoior and Bohol provinces. Landslides were reported in Cebu, as well as damage to a port terminal, an airport tower, a fish port, a public market, schools, churches, hospitals, bridges, roads, government buildings and residences across Bohol, Cebu and outlying areas.
More updates on the situation can be found at: CNN, The New York Times, BBC or Sky News.

rumbles of the church in Loboc, Bohol

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Snow covered other places, too. Watch how St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, Greenpoint, Brooklyn, NY struggles to be reconnected to the world after recent snow storm. Watch:  “Winter at St. Stan’s picture gallery”