Religious Groups Reach Out To Devastated `Neighbors'

Barbara and Roger Ross have three children, two dogs and a four-bedroom house in Largo. They also have a generous spirit.

On Friday, the Rosses signed on with Somebody Cares Tampa Bay, a faith-based organization leading an effort to place refugees in local homes. They are among dozens of people from South Florida to Minnesota who have come forward with offers to take in displaced hurricane victims.

``The only thing moving fast on this disaster is panic,'' Barbara Ross said. ``If I could load up my van and head to Louisiana to pick up a family and bring them back, I would tomorrow.''

Frustrated by what they see as the government's slow response to the disaster, religious groups across all denominations are launching their own relief efforts.

``This whole thing is so vast and people want to do even more than give money. They want to give of themselves,'' said Bernice Stoneberg of Somebody Cares. ``God calls us to help our neighbors.''

Ross said she will welcome up to five people, including their pets.

For information on how to become a Somebody Cares host, call 1-888-561-2273 or go to www.sctb.org.

For the Jesuits, Hurricane Katrina's blow really hit home: The Catholic religious order has a school, two parishes, a provincial office and a retirement home in New Orleans.

The Rev. Joseph Doyle, president of Jesuit High School in Tampa, said displaced students from the New Orleans school will be welcomed here.

In addition, Doyle said four collections will be taken for the relief effort - on Tuesday, Christmas, Easter and Mother's Day.

For information, go to tampajesuit.org.

The Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater will sponsor an interfaith service at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Unitarian Church, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater. A collection will be taken for victims.

In the Jewish community, Weinberg Village Assisted Living on the Tampa Jewish Community Center/Federation campus will provide space for displaced elderly victims. Also, Congregation Schaarai Zedek and Tampa Unity Church, both in south Tampa, will have a bagel breakfast Sunday and Sept. 18. It will be from 8 to 8:45 a.m. and 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. on Deleon Street between the two campuses. Call (813) 876-2377, Ext. 206, for information.