Bishop George J. Lucas recently received a letter from Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services thanking the diocese for a contribution of $34,911 for Haiti.

"On behalf of all of us at CRS and those who will be touched by your gift, I thank you for leading the faithful in the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois to live their faith in solidarity with the poor and marginalized people overseas," Hackett wrote.

The contribution was the result of a special collection for the people of Haiti after suffering the effects of a series of tropical storms, including Fay, Gustav and Hanna. The funds were sent to Catholic Relief Services to support the distribution of emergency supplies and the costs of rebuilding communities and lives.