(PROVIDENCE, R.I.)-As part of the Year of Evangelization, an aggressive outreach effort to welcome Catholics back to the Church, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence’s Office of Catholic Charities and Social Ministry today announced that it will sponsor a free walk-in support clinic for those personally affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The diocese continues to collect donations in support of Catholic Relief Services’ efforts in Haiti.

The Catholic Charity Fund will cover expenses for those in need of these services.

Support volunteers will be available to confidentially meet with anyone, one on one, who is suffering from emotional distress and loss as a result of the earthquake on Saturday, January 30 from 1-4:00 p.m. at the Office of Catholic Charities and Social Ministry at 184 Broad Street in Providence. For additional information, please contact Peter Magnotta, Office of Life and Family, 421-7833 x. 117.

“The emotional distress created by the earthquake in Haiti will affect many for months and years to come,” said Peter Magnotta, social worker for the diocese.  “The Catholic Church is responding to those in need by providing some support for those who lost loved ones or suffered some other direct loss as a result of the earthquake.  It is unimaginable the suffering, confusion and loss that many are experiencing.”

The Year of Evangelization is a multi-faceted effort to reach out to our lost brothers and sisters in Christ to welcome them back to the Catholic Church, strengthen the faithful and share with others the teachings of the Catholic Faith.