Huntington Park church to hold special Mass in solidarity with quake-ravaged Colombia

HUNTINGTON PARK, Calif. (CNS) -- A special Mass Sunday will bring together the faithful, the Colombian community and supporters throughout Los Angeles in prayer and solidarity for those affected by the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck the nation on Aug. 10.

The 1 p.m. Mass will be held at St. Matthias Catholic Church, 7105 Mission Place in Huntington Park, and will be presided over by Pastor Rev. Rubén D. Restrepo, a native of Colombia.

Additionally, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has asked parishes and Catholic schools throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties to hold a special emergency collection during Masses on the weekends of Aug. 22-23 and Aug. 29-30 to assist those affected by the powerful earthquake.

The disaster struck western Colombia near the town of San José del Palmar in the department of Chocó, leaving behind widespread devastation and an unfolding humanitarian crisis. At least 285 people have been killed.

The collections will be sent to Catholic Relief Services, the international relief agency of the Church in the United States. Those wishing to donate directly can send donations to Catholic Relief Services at crs.org, or via phone or mail at (877) 435-7277 and Catholic Relief Services, Colombia Earthquake Relief, P.O. Box 5278, Tipton, IA 52772-0517.