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Heartfelt
gratitude from Biloxi
PRAISED BE JESUS
CHRIST!
(Now and Forever)
Even though
television brings us pictures of disasters around the world within hours
of when they take place, it is most difficult for us to grasp the
devastation involved. Unless we were there on Sept. 11, 2001, when the
planes crashed into the World Trade Center or shortly thereafter, it is
next to impossible to grasp the vastness of the devastation. The same is
true of earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, tornadoes, hurricanes,
whatever.
In August and
September 2005, the dioceses of the Gulf South suffered the worst
natural disaster in the history of our nation. Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita caused indescribable catastrophic devastation. In the coastal
counties of Mississippi, for example, 91 percent of all homes were
damaged and 65,000 homes were destroyed. More than 1,900 businesses were
swept away. Most tragically of all, more than 200 people perished.
Recently I
received a report from Bishop Thomas J. Rodi of Biloxi, outlining the
experience of his Local Church. Biloxi is only slightly smaller than our
own diocese at 9,653 square miles. With 42 parishes and a Catholic
population of 57,221, the Catholics of the area represent 7.8 percent of
the general population. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the diocese had 433
buildings; 428 of those were damaged or destroyed. The cost of repair
and rebuilding far exceeded diocesan insurance coverage of $35 million.
The
Archdiocese of New Orleans suffered a similar fate, with significant
damage also experienced in the Dioceses of Lake Charles (Louisiana) and
Beaumont (Texas).
You may
remember that in 2005, a national collection was taken up throughout the
country to aid those who had been devastated by the hurricanes. The
Catholics of Northcentral Indiana were outstanding in their response. A
total of $427,633 was sent to Catholic Charities USA, the distributing
agency. Of that total, 50 percent was designated for humanitarian
assistance (direct financial assistance, counseling, housing, child care
and elder care), while the remaining 50 percent was earmarked for
institutional needs (repair to church property not covered by
insurance). In addition, through the Catholic Extension Society, a
Parish Partnering Program was initiated. The parishes of our diocese
were urged to consider the possibility of partnering with Gulf States
parishes. A number of our parishes did that and continue to do so. In
addition to financial support, parishioners have gone to the Gulf Coast
area to assist local people who are still struggling after two years to
rebuild. I accolade those who are reaching out in this way to their
brothers and sisters. They witness to how fulfilling it has been for
them. They also underscore how after these many months, so many people
continue to suffer the effects of the hurricanes of 2005.
Bishop Rodi
reports that despite horrific losses, the people of the Diocese of
Biloxi quickly began the daunting task of rebuilding. Recovery will take
many years, he affirms, “but the faith, strength of character, and
determination of our clergy, religious and laity make me certain that,
with God’s help, we will rebuild.”
Bishop Rodi
and the other bishops of the Gulf States area repeatedly express how
grateful they are for the support received from people across our nation
and beyond. “Our recovery in large part is being made possible because
of the prayers, material, money and volunteers which have been sent to
us,” Bishop Rodi reports. He stresses that the national collection was
more than material help. It was a priceless sign that the people so
devastated by the hurricanes had not been forgotten. “Far from it —
Catholics throughout our country showed their compassion and generosity
in an outpouring of concern which was unprecedented.”
The Diocese
of Biloxi received $12,139,000 for individual assistance. A diocesan
Office for Long-Term Recovery continues to aid people, especially in the
repair of homes. Bishop Rodi reports that since November 2005,
volunteers have worked on 198 homes. Furniture or appliances were given
to 935 families/individuals. Over $1.2 million has been given as direct
emergency assistance to 6,000 families and individuals in $200 amounts.
And, these efforts are continuing.
After using
all funds from the national collection, insurance and FEMA, the amount
the Diocese of Biloxi needs to rebuild totals $35.5 million. The people
of Biloxi are striving to rebuild by means of other donations, a
diocesan campaign, and the sale of property. Help is coming from
Catholics throughout the nation and beyond, and especially from the
volunteers who have gone to Mississippi.
This brought
tears to my eyes: “The Diocese of Biloxi was prepared to begin a
diocesan fund-raising campaign in September 2005, with a goal of $14
million. Hurricane Katrina’s impact one week before the campaign was
scheduled to begin prevented the campaign from being conducted. The
campaign resumed in October 2006 and concluded in May 2007. The people
of the Diocese of Biloxi exceeded the pre-Katrina goal with pledges
totaling over $17 million. This response was inspirational and
exceptionally sacrificial. The success of the campaign is a clear sign
that the people of Mississippi, while most grateful for the support
given to us, wish to make it clear we are doing all we can to foster our
recovery.” I thought to myself, this is the Gospel story of the widow’s
mite cast into the realities of our own time (Mk. 12:41-44).
I do not have
data from the Archdiocese of New Orleans, but we can be sure the
situation there has been even more overwhelming, given a much higher
population density. Missing, too, is the hurricane impact on the
Dioceses of Lake Charles and Beaumont, to say nothing of the
expenditures of dioceses that assisted in the relocation of people who
found themselves homeless.
I thought
those among my readers who contributed to the national campaign back in
2005 and whose parishes have continued to extend help through the
Catholic Extension Society’s Parish Partnering Program would appreciate
these words of heartfelt gratitude from the people of the Diocese of
Biloxi through their bishop.
On Holy
Thursday evening, feet were washed during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper.
When Jesus said at his Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me,” he
referred not only to the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass,
but to the service which that sacrifice calls us to provide one another,
especially those in need. Outreach to the people of the Gulf States is
an example of how the washing of feet on Holy Thursday is more than a
dramatic liturgical moment. It truly resonates in the hearts of God’s
people. |
