Fort McMurray Fire

As wildfires continue to blaze in northern Alberta, churches of all denominations across Canada have been offering prayers and helping relief efforts. More than 100,000 residents of Fort McMurray have fled the inferno—most have lost their homes completely. Bishop Paul Terrio, bishop of St. Paul, said: “Even as we still are all in shock with the wildfire destruction and damage in Fort McMurray, let us give thanks to our Lord and God that, with some 60 to 70,000 people evacuated from the community in a matter of hours, there has been no loss of life.” Thousands of evacuees have been put up in sports and community centers since the crisis started. Archbishop Richard Smith of the neighboring archdiocese of Edmonton requested that special collections be taken up at Masses over the May 7-8 and 14-15 weekends in support of the people of Fort McMurray. Donations are also being collected by the Archdiocese of Toronto through its website (www.archtoronto.org).