Vermonters are no strangers to natural disasters.

After Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, the Green Mountain State was the destination for monetary assistance as well as material aid.

When disaster strikes others, Vermonters are quick and generous in their response.

That includes Vermont Catholics.

Last year collections in Catholic parishes to help with Hurricane Harvey relief totaled $211,877.22 while Hurricane Irma collections added $104,549.43 to the relief efforts.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was involved in an unprecedented number of disaster responses in the second half of 2017:

+ The special collection for Hurricane Harvey was called to support the efforts of Catholic Charities USA and the USCCB to respond to immediate emergency needs and to the long-term pastoral and reconstruction needs of the Church. As of the end of March, $34.5 million had been received.

+ The Hurricane Irma Collection was called to support humanitarian and Church needs in communities and Dioceses in the United States and the Caribbean. As of the end of March, nearly $12.5 million had been received.

+ A Hurricane Maria Fund was created to receive voluntary donations in support of humanitarian and Church needs in communities and Dioceses in the United States and the Caribbean. As of the end of March, nearly $5.6 million has been received.

+ In addition a Mexico Earthquakes Fund was created to receive voluntary donations in support of humanitarian and Church needs in communities and Dioceses in the impacted areas in the southern Dioceses of Mexico and the western Dioceses of Guatemala and Mexico City and the States of Morelos and Puebla. As of the end of March, nearly $3.1 million has been received.

Agencies assisting with the relief efforts in the affected areas include Catholic Relief Services, Caritas Havana, Caritas Antilles and the British Red Cross.

“The Committee on National Collections is grateful for … support of its ongoing efforts and in response to natural disasters,” said Mobile Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi, chairman of the USCCB Committee on National Collections.