Aug 13, 2026
The MSC Centre for the Poor and the extended community in the Philippines have been working throughout the summer to bring aid to survivors of an earthquake and flash flood that devastated the region of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, in July.
“Help is on the way!” posted their Facebook page in mid-July. “The MSC Center for the Poor team is on its way to Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental to bring hope and support to families affected by the recent earthquake and flash flood.”
The team were armed with a plan to support 250 families affected by the disaster, through the distribution of relief packages and Psychological First Aid. “Together, may we become instruments of compassion and hope for our brothers and sisters,” wrote the Facebook page for the MSC Centre for the Poor.
Two days later, the Facebook page posted news of the team’s successful arrival at the relief site. “Despite the challenging and hazardous road condition, the MSC Center for the Poor Relief Team has safely reached one of the communities severely affected by the earthquake and landslides in Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental,” they wrote.
Finally, on July 18th, the relief team posted news of a successful mission accomplished. “The MSC Center for the Poor successfully carried out its Relief Operation and Psychological First Aid for families affected by the earthquake and flash floods in Brgy. Magulibas, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental last July 16, 2026. A total of 100 families received assistance through the provision of rice, food packs, cash support, and psychological first aid, bringing hope and comfort during this difficult time.”
The project aimed to reach 250 families, but extremely hazardous conditions made further travel impossible at this time. The mission still ensured that the emergency supplies reached those in need, although the full team were unable to get to the site. “Although our team was unable to reach the devastated community of Brgy. Nuing due to landslides that made the roads impassable, we were still able to extend our support by sending 150 sacks of rice, 10 boxes of drinking water, and food items through the parish to ensure that help reached those in need.”
“Despite the long, difficult, and dangerous journey, our mission was successfully accomplished through God’s grace and the generosity of many compassionate people.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the MSC Mission Office for facilitating the donation drive, to all our donors, benefactors, volunteers, and everyone who supported this mission. Your generosity has become a source of hope and healing for our brothers and sisters affected by this disaster.
Together, we continue to be instruments of God’s love and compassion. May God bless you all!”
Our prayers remain with all those affected by the earthquake and flash flood, and all who have worked so hard and given so much to help at the MSC Centre for the Poor and beyond.
Images via the Facebook page for the MSC Centre for the Poor.
Aug 11, 2026
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC shares the latest update from the Venezuelan earthquake relief programme, following the double earthquake that shook the city of Caracas on June 24th. Aid efforts are ongoing following the disaster, and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Venezuela are working in conjunction with Caritas Caracas to bring vital support to survivors of the quakes.
Today, we share the latest update from Br Deiby, featuring the most recent report on the ecclesiastical mission in the wake of the disaster.
SHADOW AND HOPE
The Ecclesial Mission Following the Tragedy
Accompaniment, Faith, and Solidarity in Caracas and La Guaira
Please click here to view the full report PDF.
On June 24, a historic mark was left on Venezuela due to the devastating impact of the double earthquake that severely shook the national territory, with the city of Caracas and the state of La Guaira being the most affected epicenters. Faced with the pain of material loss and the regrettable physical departure of numerous brothers and sisters, the human and Christian response was immediate, transforming collective grief into a vast network of fraternity and uninterrupted service.
The Living Presence of the Church on the Ground
Given the magnitude of the emergency, diocesan and parish service structures deployed an immediate and sustained effort. The coordinated labor between Cáritas Caracas, Cáritas La Guaira, various religious congregations, priests, and an innumerable contingent of faithful men and women has represented a living light of hope amid the ruins.
This extraordinary dedication has materialized in the receipt, sorting, and transparent distribution of all supplies and provisions collected at official collection centers, meticulously organized by both the Archdiocese of Caracas and the Diocese of La Guaira. Each package delivered carries not only material relief, but also the comforting embrace of an entire community that refuses to leave anyone behind.
“We ask the Lord to reward all our deceased brothers and sisters with eternal life, and that those who are still on their pilgrimage carry in their hearts the firm conviction that God accompanies, listens to, and walks beside His beloved people.”
Comprehensive Care in Shelters and Temporary Camps
At the heart of this humanitarian effort, the work of La Santa Cruz Parish together with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC) stands out. Their constant presence in temporary camps and shelter centers located within the parish jurisdiction as well as in other key areas of the Propatria Archpriestship encompasses comprehensive and cross-cutting care:
The Ministry of Listening: Spaces for emotional relief and support for families impacted by loss and trauma.
Sacramental Accompaniment: Celebration of faith, reconciliation, and the Eucharist, renewing the spiritual strength of those affected.
Recreational and Community Spaces: Activities directed toward children, youth, and older adults to instill joy and restore community routine.
United in Divine Providence
Despite physical adversity and the complexity of the situation, the Venezuelan Church reaffirms its absolute trust in God’s Providence. The solidarity shown by institutions, volunteers, and individuals continues to be received with deep gratitude, allowing care to remain steady during the most complex stages of recovery.
The testimony of communion and pastoral and priestly dedication throughout the Propatria and Catia Archpriestship confirms that, even amid rubble and uncertainty, charity and hope remain firm and unwavering.
Fraternally,
Br. Deiby Fuenmayor, MSC
Pastoral Animator
Caracas, August 8, 2026
Read Br Deiby’s last letter from Caracas
Read more about ongoing relief operations in Venezuela
Aug 6, 2026
In July, Ecuadorian Section Leader Fr Marcelo Campoverde MSC led a special Mass at a local cemetery in remembrance of loved ones who have gone to their eternal rest in the Lord’s embrace. The ceremony was both poignant and uplifting, as the community remembered their dead and celebrated their earthly lives and loves.
The MSC mission in Ecuador is looking forward to an exciting August, with a third Ecuadorian priest, Diego, due to be ordained on August 8th. “We are working to place greater emphasis on youth and vocation ministry,” writes Fr Marcelo. “Diego will be the one leading this work, utilizing social media and working with young people in our parishes. I ask for your prayers for him.”
We pray for Diego, Fr Marcelo, and all on the MSC mission in Ecuador, with every grace and blessing of the Sacred Heart. We remain truly grateful for the support of our mission friends and benefactors here at home, which goes such a long way in helping Fr Marcelo and indigenous communities in Ecuador. May God bless you all.
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE SUPPORT OUR GLOBAL MISSION PROJECTS
Aug 5, 2026
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC has shared further updates from the Venezuelan earthquake relief programme, following the double earthquake that shook the city of Caracas on June 24th. Aid efforts are ongoing following the disaster, and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in Venezuela are working in conjunction with Caritas Caracas to bring vital support to survivors of the quakes.
Today, we share the latest video update from Br Deiby and the Caritas team, and the most recent report on the ongoing outreach programme.
Faith and Hope Accompaniment After the Earthquakes
Humanitarian and Pastoral Assistance Mission: State of La Guaira and Caracas, Venezuela
Please click here to view the full report PDF.
A Call Not to Lower Our Guard Amid Adversity
After the devastating double earthquake that shook our country on June 24th, leaving deep scars of pain and extensive material losses across various regions, the Catholic Church, through Cáritas Caracas and the parish network, reaffirms with renewed commitment its uninterrupted presence alongside the most affected communities and families.
Accompaniment in Shelters and a Call to Solidarity
We make a fraternal and urgent appeal to all Venezuelan people and to all people of goodwill: Let us not lose heart, let us not be careless, and let us not lower our guard!
The initial emergency has transitioned into a crucial stage of human, social, and spiritual support. The pain of our brothers and sisters requires us to keep the flame of solidarity alive and continue channeling aid through the various collection centers established in both the Archdiocese of Caracas and the Diocese of La Guaira.
“Our greatest strength is the faith we share. We will rise again! Jesus Christ does not remain distant from suffering; He walks side-by-side with every man and woman in these crucial moments.”
Impact of the Tragedy and the Pastoral Response
The double seismic movement caused atrocious damage to infrastructure and housing. Although the city of Caracas suffered severe damage in several sectors, the State of La Guaira was the area of greatest impact and devastation.
Faced with this difficult reality, the ecclesial response has not been limited solely to the delivery of material provisions.
“OUR GREATEST STRENGTH IS THE FAITH WE SHARE. WE WILL RISE AGAIN! VENEZUELA VENEZUELA VENEZUELA”
Direct Assistance and Support Framework
Material Aid in Collection Centers
- Non-perishable food: Baby food, infant formula, and grains.
- Personal Hygiene Kits: Soap, diapers, and toiletries.
- Drinking water & medicines: Priority medical supplies.
- Responsible distribution: Direct delivery to the most vulnerable families.
Spiritual and Human Accompaniment
- Pastoral Listening: Offering comfort and emotional guidance.
- Proclamation of the Word: Bringing the light of the Gospel to pain.
- Fraternal Closeness: Walking alongside those who suffer in the shelter.
- Community Prayer: Constant intercession for victims and grieving.
The Comfort of Christ and the Conviction of Hope
Amid the rubble and difficulty, the central message of our faith remains steadfast: Jesus Christ remains and walks with every man and woman. Through Pastoral Listening and the close presence of our priests, religious, and laity, we continue to offer spaces for emotional relief, affective containment, and spiritual strength.
We express our deep gratitude to every person, family, and institution that, with their valuable contribution, makes it possible for this work to continue. Every donation and every prayer translates into a tangible embrace from the Church for those who need it today.
Closing Reflection and Commitment
We offer our special prayers for the eternal rest of all those who lost their lives in this tragedy, and we ask the Lord to grant fortitude, peace, and conviction to those of us who are still journeying through this arduous trial of life.
“We press on, united in the Love of the Sacred Heart.”
Bro. Deiby Fuenmayor MSC
Missionaries of the Sacred Heart
La Santa Cruz Parish (Propatria)
Date: August 4, 2026
Read Br Deiby’s last letter from Caracas
Read more about ongoing relief operations in Venezuela
Jul 31, 2026
GRIEF, FAITH, AND HOPE
The Response to the Seismic Tragedy in Venezuela
BY BRO. DEIBY FUENMAYOR, MSC • CARACAS, JULY 30, 2026
Since that fateful June 24th, when a devastating double earthquake of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 violently shook Venezuelan territory, the country was plunged into one of the darkest hours of its recent history. In a matter of seconds, thousands of lives were cut short, hundreds of buildings and infrastructure collapsed, and the map of entire communities was altered forever. Today, weeks after the disaster, physical and emotional wounds continue to bleed; grief and anguish remain deeply rooted in the heart of a people trying to rise from the rubble.
THE OPEN WOUND: THE GRIEF OF LOSS AND THE RELENTLESS SEARCH
The toll of material damage and human loss is heartbreaking. Thousands of men and women have known no rest: with hands worn by dust and despair, they continue through the rubble desperately searching for the bodies of their loved ones. For these families, the priority is not merely rebuilding walls, but the urgent human and spiritual need to recover their deceased to grant them a Christian burial, honor their memory, and find solace amidst immense suffering. The uncertainty of this prolonged search keeps entire communities in a constant vigil of mourning and lamentation.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE MISSIONARY CHARISM: A BEACON OF CHARITY AND LIVING PRESENCE
In the midst of this devastating panorama, the Catholic Church has played a fundamental role of accompaniment, consolation, and assistance. As the Church, and especially through our mission as Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we have assumed a prominent and vital role in walking alongside the suffering people. Our fundamental mission in these critical hours has been to reveal and make felt that the Sacred Heart of Jesus is not a distant devotion, but a living reality beating right in the midst of every man and woman struck by this tragedy.
Jesus Christ is not indifferent to this concrete reality; He is deeply imprinted in the innermost core of every person. We are moved by the certainty that Jesus walks with His people, suffers with those who suffer, and sustains the weak. Through Caritas, diocesan pastorals, and the missionary presence on the ground, the ecclesial structure has deployed a comprehensive response:
- Emergency Material Care: An untiring logistical response has been maintained, distributing food, essential medicines, drinking water, and temporary shelter tents to thousands of families who lost everything.
- Pastoral Listening and Emotional Support: Beyond physical aid, we understood that soul sorrow required a healing presence. Listening pastoral teams, religious brothers, sisters, and priests walk daily among those affected, lending their ears, shoulders, and comfort to those facing grief and distress.
«We do not walk alone; the Sacred Heart of Jesus beats amidst the ruins and reminds us that in every tear, in every search, and in every embrace, He is present, walking firmly alongside His people.»
COOPERATION AND PRESENCE IN TEMPORARY CAMPS
Thanks to continuous and respectful dialogue between Catholic Church representatives and state officials in charge of temporary shelter camps, permanent spaces for spiritual and human accompaniment have been established within these centers. This collaboration has ensured a dignified space for:
- Prayer and Sacramental Life: Gathering places where believers celebrate the Eucharist, find strength in the sacraments, and experience the closeness of a loving God.
- Open Accompaniment Without Distinction: Pastoral closeness and the embrace of the Sacred Heart know no boundaries or exclusions. Every person, regardless of creed or background, who needs to be listened to, comforted, or sustained in their grief is welcomed. Walking alongside the wounded, camping next to the unprotected, searching for the missing, and praying over the rubble has been the living testimony of a faith expressed through action. As reconstruction efforts continue, the selfless presence of the Church and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart remains a beacon of hope, reminding all of Venezuela that the loving presence of Jesus walks steadfastly alongside His people.
Bro. Deiby Fuenmayor • Missionary of the Sacred Heart
Read more about ongoing relief operations in Venezuela
Please click to view the full PDF
Jul 29, 2026
It is just over a month since the city of Caracas was wracked by huge earthquakes on Wednesday, July 24th. The impact has been devastating, with hundreds of lives lost, and buildings and city infrastructure destroyed.
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC has been sending regular updates from Caracas, where he is working alongside Fr John Jennings MSC and a whole team of volunteers and relief workers to provide crucial support to those impacted by the earthquakes. Most recently, Br Deiby sent photos and videos from the shelters and support centres that have been helping thousands of people.
Today, Br Deiby has sent photos and a video message to update us on the current situation in Caracas, as the recovery operation continues. The landscapes in view as he travels show just how catastrophic the earthquakes have been, and the tragic reality for the people of Caracas right now.
“Thank you so much for your support,” Br Deiby writes. “I am right now at the epicenter of the disaster in La Guaira, bringing aid.”
“Here in this shelter, there are 150 people in just this small spot. I am also aware of 12 other temporary camps in the parish of Santa Cruz and its surroundings. Almost 2000 people are receiving aid here.
Thankfully, I have a good team of helpers.”
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have also been working closely with Caritas Venezuela, providing funding to help with the ongoing relief aid. In a message to Irish Provincial Superior Fr Joe McGee MSC, Monsignor José Luis Azuaje Ayala, Archbishop of Maracaibo and Head of Caritas Venezuela, sent his gratitude to the Irish Province of the MSC for the generous support of our benefactors.
We are sincerely grateful for your prayers and support as our Sacred Heart family continue to help the people of Venezuela as they look to rebuilding and repairing for the future.
IF YOU CAN, PLEASE HELP OUR MISSION IN VENEZUELA
