Seattle University's Response to Haitian Earthquake

As the estimates of the damage in the poverty stricken nation of Haiti continue to unravel, the outpouring of community support throughout the Western Hemisphere and the World only continue to grow. Seattle University sits seemingly worlds away from the devastation, yet response to the tragedy is strong and only continues to grow throughout the community. To cope with such devastation, Seattle University seeks to not just provide their students on information regarding the recent event's tragedy - they work to offer solutions.

Across campus the message from Father Stephen V. Sundborg, the President of the Jesuit Seattle University reigns heartfelt and emotional. "We are heartbroken and overwhelmed by the tragedy that has been inflicted on the people of Haiti by the earthquake" exclaims Father Sundborg in his emotional letter to the campus.

Seattle University encourages its students to be active in any way they can contribute - even if they may feel their response is minuscule. Further, Father Sundborg and the University urge their students to respond educationally through study, respond humanly through personal sacrifice by helping the relief efforts and finally respond spiritually though prayer. The University considers the Haitians to be "brothers and sisters" to everyone in the community as it seeks to urge action to its constituents.

The University will hold a 12:05 mass in the Chapel of St. Ignatius and will be offered for the people of the Island Nation. At night, an evening student Mass will be held at 6:15 in Ecumenical Chapel in Campion Hall to bring students together in prayer.

That is not the only action the University is taking. From there, the University seeks to provide Masses by the Catholic Relief Services and Jesuit Refugee Services for their emergency work with the people of Haiti among whom they work. Additionally, Sean Bray, Social Justice Minister in Campus Ministry is available to be the point person for the university to help coordinate response and communication. He can be reached at brays@seattleu.edu or by phone at 296-6079.

On their website http://www.seattleu.edu/commons/ you can also find links to donate, information on events, updates, resources as well as words of support.