The region’s Catholic churches have collected $57,898 for relief in Gaza, with more expected. That’s “very comparable” to other special collections, according to the Diocese of Scranton.

As of Wednesday, money had come from 52 of the 103 churches, plus a $25 check sent directly to the diocese’s offices, said Eric Deabill, secretary for communications. Funds continue to arrive.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops requested collections nationwide. In the Diocese of Scranton, the appeal was made between mid-August and Sept. 14.

“The special second collection that we held in the Diocese of Scranton is more than just about the funds collected,” Deabill said by email.

“As our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV has said, ‘Gaza is starving,’ so this was an opportunity for our parishioners to stand in solidarity with those in the region and live out the Gospel message of helping our neighbor in a very concrete way. We continue to accompany those in need with our prayers,” Deabill wrote.

The diocese is “deeply grateful to its parishioners for their incredible generosity.”

In Scranton, parishioners of Mary Mother of God Parish gave $2,426 the weekend of Aug. 30, with at least another $50 coming in since.

The pastor, the Rev. Cyril D. Edwards, said that it is “a strong collection and generally better” than a typical special collection. The parish of 5,000 people is sensitive to needs that are “so painful to see,” Edwards said.

The money goes to Catholic Relief Services and the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which have a history in Gaza. They provide emergency food, medical and psychological care, hygiene supplies and shelter, and have partnerships with churches there. Catholic Relief Services and its partners have reached 1.7 million people in Gaza since 2023, according to the diocese.

The websites for the organizations receiving the money are: the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, cnewa.org; and Catholic Relief Services, crs.org.

Second collections, for specific purposes, are common in Catholic churches and held in addition to the standard weekly offering.

The diocese encompasses the counties of Bradford, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Pike, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne and Wyoming.

Monday update

Then: In August, the region’s Catholics were asked to donate money for humanitarian relief in Gaza.

Now: With about half of the churches reporting, $57,898 has been received so far.