It
is not possible to name all the ways in which the
Dominican Family responded in the immediate wake of
the disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina and the
resulting floodwaters. We are very aware of the
visible examples of compassion, support and action
taken by Dominican sisters, friars, associates, nuns
and laity in the United States and around the world.
Many sent e-mail messages of sympathy and
encouragement; others offered donations of time,
talent and treasure to assist not only the Dominican
Family in New Orleans, but the whole city. One goal
of the Faith and Hope in New Orleans
series of stories is to share what did happen to
the Dominicans in New Orleans well after the events
of August 2005. Not all efforts can be described
here, but this story is a simple illustration that
the world is indeed connected and we are family to
one another.
THE
DOMINICAN SISTERS OF HOPE, in the NORTHEAST U.S.A.,
sent teams of medical volunteers and supplies in
Spring 2006. The volunteers set up shop at Audubon
Zoo in uptown New Orleans. The Remote Area Medical
group of RAM became an “oasis of hope” and relief to
those with myriads of medical needs. RAM provided
over 9800 units of care.
THE DOMINICAN SISTERS OF RACINE, WI sent
sisters during Holy Week of 2006. The sisters were
awed and humbled by their experience, especially the
cross made of wood from the storm’s debris and used
for Good Friday services.
Great
Bend, KanSas Dominican Volunteers arrived
in the summer of 2006 to assist in restoring
Resurrection of Our Lord Church and School in New
Orleans East. Ten young women and their chaperones,
including four Dominican sisters of the ministry
Mission of Hope, arrived in the heat and
humidity of summer in the Deep South to assist in
recovery and rebuilding work.
Springfield
Dominicans, IL also sent aid in the form
of medical assistance to residents of the Gulf Coast
setting up shop outside the First Baptist Church of
Biloxi, Mississippi. St. Dominic’s Health Services
of Jackson, MS received and treated displaced
patients from damaged hospitals along the coast.
St. Dominic physicians, clinicians and staff
traveled to Biloxi, MS to serve there at makeshift
primary care clinics.
Adrian
Dominicans, MI began arriving in
the Fall of 2006 and committed themselves to two
to three months of work among members of the
New Orleans Dominican Family to help with
rebuilding community.
Dominicans
from the Northeast Six Congregations
volunteered in July 2007 in a number of projects.
The volunteers included Dominicans of Hope, Sparkill,
Amityville, Caldwell and Blauvelt. Over a five week
period 26 sisters served in housing, food pantry,
tutoring in a summer children's camp, home visiting,
clerical assistance, library assistance and special
services. They spent time visiting affected areas of
the region, particularly the Lower 9th Ward where
the Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic serve.
Nuns and
Knights in New Orleans
Without a doubt this 21st century world
will continue to need care and healing. And without
a doubt, the international Dominican Family will
continue to care about and for each other and all
those with whom we share life on our home planet –
including and especially our Family in New Orleans.
Story by OPCOMNET
Dominican Communicators
Know the Whole Story:
Go to
www.domlife.org to read the entire story
of
Dominicans in New Orleans after Katrina
and to view all the
photos.
Click here to return to the
Caldwell Katrina "Table of Contents" page.
"Faith and Hope in New Orleans: