Dear Father:
We have been contacted by several parishes and individuals regarding the possibility of collecting funds for repairing and rebuilding Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France following the devastating fire last week. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on National Collections has just advised that they do not plan to call for a national collection.
While there will not be a formal collection, the USCCB has worked with the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington DC to set up an account to manage donated funds and assure that they will be used solely for the assistance of Notre Dame Cathedral and those affected by the fire. If your parish receives donations intended for the repair of Notre Dame Cathedral, those funds can be mailed directly to:
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
Attn: Monsignor Walter Rossi, Rector
400 Michigan Avenue, NE
Washington, DC 20017
Checks payable to: The Basilica of the National Shrine
PLEASE also mention Notre Dame Paris on the memo line
Because the Diocese of Joliet is not facilitating a formal collection, the funds need not be sent through our Finance Office.
Thank you for all that you do for the Diocese of Joliet.
Sincerely,
Alex Rechenmacher
Bishop’s Office
