Last Thursday while in Canada for the Knights of Columbus mid-year state chaplain meeting, I joined with my brother priests which included a chaplain from Manila, to pray for the people of the Philippines in light of the approaching typhoon that was about to hit that country.  After it hit with devastating power, I continue to pray for those who were affected by this terrible typhoon and considered what I can do to help the rescue and clean-up effort.  My thought was to contribute some money to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) which is one of a number of agencies that is always prepared to swing into action after natural disasters.  I want to ask you, in the name of our compassionate Lord, to also reach out (if you haven't alread done so) to help the poor people in the Philippines. The phone number for Catholic Relief Services is 1-877-435-7277 and their address is Post Office Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21297-0303.  Also, I would ask you to consider, if you can, to donate something to CRS on a regular basis.  We never know when the next natural disaster will occur.  Also, pray for the relief workers themselves that God will strengthen them and the people of the Philippines for what is happening now and for what will need to happen to give these people hope for the future.