VIDEO: Earthquake Relief Efforts Continue for Venezuela
RIDGEWOOD — Months after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela, members of the Venezuelan community in Queens continue to pray for loved ones and collect aid for those still recovering.
The 7.5 and 7.2 magnitude earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, leaving communities without basic necessities, including electricity and water.
For parishioners at St. Matthias Church in Ridgewood, the disaster is personal. Many have family and friends still living in Venezuela.
“They don’t have electricity. They don’t have, like, water,” said Anasofia Parada, who attended Mass at St. Matthias.
The concern has turned into action through the Venezuelan Apostolate of the Diocese of Brooklyn.
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Father Ernesto Alonso-Aguila, coordinator of the Venezuelan Apostolate, said volunteers spent the summer collecting, packing and sending supplies to Venezuela.
“Throughout the summertime to collect, unpack and send stuff to Venezuela to help the people there in the aftermath of the earthquakes in Venezuela,” Father Alonso-Aguila said.
The donations have included diapers, food, clothing and monetary contributions.
“People get together and send a lot of help, like pampers, food, clothes, donation money,” Parada said.
Bishop Robert Brennan celebrated Mass at St. Matthias to stand in solidarity with members of the Venezuelan Apostolate and pray for those affected by the earthquakes.
“I’m very proud of the people of Venezuela, and we have all of our parishioners here who gather in prayer and in service for those who are suffering in Venezuela,” Bishop Brennan said.
Bishop Brennan also prayed for those who died, those who continue to suffer and the people working to rebuild their communities.
“We pray for those who died, for those who are still suffering. We pray for those who are working over there to restore the life there, and we’re doing whatever little we can to be of help,” Bishop Brennan said.
Father Alonso-Aguila said the need for assistance continues months after the earthquakes.
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“We’re still helping people, we still need more help,” he said.
For members of the Venezuelan community in Queens, the effort is about more than sending supplies. It is a way to support family, friends and fellow Venezuelans as communities continue to rebuild.
The Venezuelan Apostolate and local faithful say they will continue helping in whatever ways they can.