Adisaster response plan, implemented to help parishes, schools and organizations mobilize people and resources in the event of a natural or man-made disaster, was recently established in the diocese.
It will serve as a form of preparation to mitigate the risk of a disaster to diocesan facilities and the diocese’s various communities.
The plan is not a reaction to recent disasters or an effort to increase safety. Diocesan safety guidelines and protocols have been set in place.
Deacon Dave Bezusko, director of the diocesan Office of Catholic Charities, explained that the disaster plan, independent of safety protocols, is established to help communities when needed.
“Thinking about that in this role within the Office of Charities, one of the most critical times in which charity is needed is in the aftermath of a disaster, and thinking about how we as Church are in a situation where there’s no question people will turn to Church for spiritual support and accompaniment, for physical help,” he said, “we as Church need to be ready to respond to people’s darkest days.
“The guidelines are designed to help provide that path forward for us, not necessarily all the answers.”
It will serve as a path in reacting to unpreventable situations. The plan will help the diocese minister to impacted individuals’ spiritual and physical needs through a coordinated, organized response.
“Will this prevent disasters? Not likely,” Bezusko acknowledged. “It’s meant to be a guide for how we’re going to react when something does happen, and that can be a natural or man-made disaster.
“It’s truly a matter of ‘when and where’ and not ‘if.’”
In the past 60 years, 43 events within the boundaries of the Columbus diocese spawned federal disaster declarations.
Flooding and tornadoes constitute the majority of natural disaster risk in the diocese. The response plan can also assist in events such as fires, blizzards, extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, bus crashes or cyberattacks.
A Spirit of Hope Disaster Fund in the diocese was created for use in the aftermath of a potential disaster. The fund was seeded with $75,000 from the diocesan Office of Catholic Charities.
The fund will offer financial assistance to entities providing a direct response: diocesan parishes; Catholic charities, such as Catholic Social Services or the St. Vincent de Paul Society; and long-term recovery groups and vetted partner agencies.
Monetary donations to the fund will help provide materials, food and other resources. It can also be used to rebuild and restore diocesan churches and schools damaged in a disaster.
The Spirit of Hope Disaster Relief Fund will be evergreen and donations can be made at any time.
An annual second collection during Masses at diocesan parishes will be taken up to support the fund. The second collection will take place every September beginning in September 2026.
A diocesan disaster response team was formed to execute the plan. Members of the team provided input and expertise in its formation. All have committed to serve in the event of a disaster.
The response team will collaborate with existing disaster-response community organizations, such as the American National Red Cross organization, which provides disaster relief services.
“As they’re working through responding to situations that come up in our communities, how can we supplement and support the work they’re doing?” Bezusko contemplated.
“One of the things that happens a lot in disasters is people with great intentions and incredible charity decide that they want to do this, that or the other thing, and that’s one of the last things that’s needed.”
Team members will assist where needed to avoid duplicating services.
The diocesan disaster response team is divided into two tiers. The first tier of response includes six individuals on the diocese’s staff.
The second tier consists of about 20 who hold various roles in the diocese and bring various types of expertise. The team has background in areas such as facilities, insurance, information technology, schools and communication.
“If it’s something that is related to the spiritual side of things, we’ve got chaplains and clergy involved to help with disaster spiritual care,” Bezusko explained.
Father P.J. Brandimarti, pastor at Johnstown Church of the Ascension, was asked to serve on the team because of his role as a chaplain for the Ohio Army National Guard. The Guard is a military fighting force for conflict abroad and also assists in humanitarian, law enforcement and relief efforts.
Father Brandimarti is a conduit between diocesan and state military leadership. The chaplain brings an understanding of the Guard’s operation and connecting people together, which, he said, he hopes can strengthen ties of cooperation if necessary.
He is also experienced in dealing with sudden trauma. The priest can share his experiences with clergy and lay leaders in the event of a disaster.
“Disasters are going to happen whether we are prepared for them or not,” he said. “The only thing worse than some of these disasters is when we get taken by surprise by them.
“By having a comprehensive plan … we will be better able to assist our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout our central Ohio community.”
Parish pastors were asked to identify teams of four or five leaders to serve as parish disaster response coordinators. Leadership is open to individuals interested in or currently leading relief ministries.
“Think about the impact this could have: What if there’s an apartment fire in a community and a dozen families are now all of a sudden homeless and needing all this help, resources?” Bezusko suggested.
“This is where that disaster response team within the parish can mobilize and work to provide help, whether it’s parishioners, even just the community members at large that were impacted and provide that loving embrace and provide support.”
Participants will be trained to serve as disaster response coordinators at their parish. The parish will be prepped so, in the event of a disaster, they know who is responding and what they can offer.
A series of trainings are scheduled at several diocesan parishes. Trainings are open to anyone interested. The two-hour training will be the same at every offered session.
Trainings are scheduled at the following parishes: Newark St. Francis de Sales, Saturday, Oct. 25 at 9:30 a.m.; Pickerington St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 9:30 a.m.; Columbus St. Catharine of Siena, Monday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. and Columbus St. Josephine Bakhita, Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 9:30 a.m.
Trainings are also offered at Delaware St. Mary, Saturday, Nov. 8 at 9:30 a.m.; Chillicothe St. Peter, Monday, Nov. 10 at 6:30 p.m.; and New Philadelphia Sacred Heart, Thursday, Nov. 13 at 6:30 p.m.
To reserve a spot at a training event, individuals must RSVP. A response form is available at https://forms.office.com/r/0pbfUjjdAE.
Donations to the Spirit of Hope Disaster Relief Fund can be made online. A donation page will be forthcoming at https://columbuscatholic.org/vicariate-for-catholic-social-doctrine/disaster-response
Checks can also be made payable to the Diocese of Columbus with “Spirit of Hope Disaster Relief Fund” in the memo line and mailed to 197 E. Gay St., Columbus, Ohio 43215.
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This article appears in October 19 2025.