Bishop Julito Cortes on Tuesday called on the faithful to pray for those who died and survived Typhoon Odette as he set a day of simultaneous masses in their honor in the different parishes and chaplaincies in the Diocese of Dumaguete.

In a circular letter dated January 18, he said the simultaneous the Holy Masses will be at 6 a.m. on January 24.

Cortes said families are asked to submit the names of their loved ones who perished in the storm and invite the family members to join the masses.

No stipend will be collected for this particular intention, he added.

Also, this is an opportunity to pray for those who are still missing after the onslaught of “Odette” as well as those who are still reeling from its aftermath, Cortes said.

As of January 15, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported 78 dead, 15 missing, and 148 injured in Negros Oriental as Typhoon Odette lashed across the Visayas on Dec. 16, 2021.

Cortes hoped that this “act of communion and solidarity help console and strengthen our suffering people, and strengthen their hope for the future”.

The prelate said in an interview with the Philippine News Agency, while entrusting to the mercy of the Lord those who died in the storm, the diocese is also praying that their “families be given the support in prayer and to console them in their grief”.

“This is an expression of communion and solidarity of our community for all the victims of the calamity. We are One Body in Christ,” he added.

Cortes also reminded the people “to help one another (and) with the help of God, we can continue rebuilding our lives”.

The diocese has established a Typhoon Odette Response Command Center, in collaboration with the National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA)/Caritas, to help typhoon victims by providing relief goods including food, water, and housing materials.

“Makabangon ra gyud ta (We will be able to rise above this),” the bishop said. (PNA)