From staff reports
In response to the devastation caused by flooding in the Texas Hill Country over the July 4 weekend, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas raised more than $420,000 through an emergency second collection for disaster relief.
At the request of Bishop Edward J. Burns, all parishes in the diocese participated in the July collection, which was held in the immediate aftermath of the floods.
“I called upon the faithful of the Diocese of Dallas to help support the needs of our sisters and brothers impacted most by the devastation caused by the floods,” Bishop Burns said. “As Catholics, we are called to pray for those who have lost their lives and to help comfort grieving families and communities. We also pray for those who have lost their homes and businesses, that they may find peace and comfort in God’s enduring love for us, even amidst these most trying circumstances.”
Through the fundraising effort, the diocese collected $424,835, which were directed to Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of San Antonio to support relief efforts for those most impacted by the flooding.
“This collection represents our community of faith at work in the world, spreading the Gospel and strengthening faith communities,” said Kelly Halaszyn, senior director of development for the Diocese of Dallas. “It is humbling to witness the outpouring of prayers, compassion, and financial support, and we appreciate the role the faithful play in effectively carrying out the mission of Jesus Christ throughout the world by combining our resources to be good stewards.”
Coming together to serve
In addition to the fundraising efforts, three diocesan high schools — John Paul II, Bishop Lynch, and Bishop Dunne — united for the “Fill the Bus for Kerr County” drive, delivering essential supplies to affected families. The effort began with JPII president Casey Buckstaff’s own reflection in the wake of the disaster.
“I was looking at the ‘ways to help’ sites and thought about how JPII could support people in need down there,” she said. “I saw all the different lists and thought about how our buses can hold so much and put the idea together that way.”
Buckstaff reached out to the principal at Notre Dame Catholic School in Kerrville to coordinate logistics and assess local needs, then contacted Chris Rebuck and Gabe Moreno, presidents of Bishop Lynch and Bishop Dunne.
“They were quick to add their schools’ support to the effort,” Buckstaff said.
Volunteers at each school helped collect and sort donations, which included shelf-stable food, bottled water, hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, paper goods, and gift cards. All three schools opened their campuses as drop-off locations, and school buses were filled with supplies to be driven to Kerrville.
Buckstaff said the response from the community was swift and rooted in a desire to serve.
“At JPII, ‘Seek to Serve’ is a motto that we strive to live by each day,” Buckstaff said. “In acts large and small, we look for ways that we can contribute in a positive way to the larger community, whether our service is for the people walking beside us or the people in need farther away.”
She added, “I hope this act of service is a reminder to each person’s heart to seek to serve in whatever way they are able every day.”
The community of The Highlands School in Irving also rallied to support those affected by the devastation, gathering needed supplies that were delivered to those working to provide relief efforts to the storm-ravaged region.
Beginning July 9, the Irving-based Catholic school organized a relief collection effort that continued through July 11, calling on its community to respond with compassion and generosity. Donations were delivered to The Highlands School nurse Beth Polak, who was in Central Texas when the flooding occurred and remained to assist with recovery efforts.
More than 130 people died when flash floods caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly, sweeping through Kerr, Bandera and Comal counties over the July 4 weekend. Among the fatalities were sisters, Brooke and Blair Harber, 11 and 13 respectively, both students at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas, and their grandparents, Charlene and Mike Harber.
The flooding also led to widespread destruction in the region, damaging homes, businesses, and infrastructure with recovery efforts still ongoing months later.
“As the Texas Hill Country continues to recover and rebuild,” Halaszyn added, “we remain committed to prayer and it is our privilege to provide this financial support for the immediate and long-term needs of those struggling in the aftermath of the historic flooding.”
Cutline for featured image: A drone view shows the Guadalupe River and damage from flooding near Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, July 6, 2025. (OSV News photo/Evan Garcia, Reuters)
