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Religious leaders urged the faithful to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina as Christians, Muslims, Jews and members of other religions opened their wallets to help in a disaster of near biblical proportions.
As rescue crews spent Sunday helping thousands evacuate New Orleans and areas along the Gulf Coast, churches, mosques, synagogues and other religious institutions in Wisconsin collected monetary donations, food, water and prayers to help those who survived the disaster.
"For all the victims of Hurricane Katrina, especially the poor . . . all who are homeless, sick, displaced and those bereft of all possessions, we pray," Rebecca Shepherd said at Mass at Gesu Parish in Milwaukee.
Songs were somber, readings were solemn and tones serious as religious-based organizations began gathering collections for immediate relief, while acknowledging that long-term assistance will be just as critical.
Senior Pastor Mel Lawrenz stood before a crowd of roughly 1,000 worshippers at Elmbrook Church in the Town of Brookfield, encouraging them to pray and donate to World Relief, which does humanitarian work through evangelical churches.
Church members pulled out their checkbooks. On the memo line, many jotted: Hurricane Katrina.
"I feel what the world needs is to experience the hand of God,"...