The
Dominican Sisters of Adrian, Michigan, through the
generosity of their prioress, Sister Donna Markham,
OP, (pictured at left) have been a visible and
lively presence in the New Orleans area since
Katrina hit this city. They are here assisting the
Eucharistic Missionaries, the St. Mary’s Dominicans,
the friars of the Southern Province and the people
of New Orleans. They have volunteered their time and
energy to help in any way they are needed.
"There
is a time and a season for everything," says
Ecclesiastes. And the image of seasons has deep
resonance for Sister Mary Ann Caulfield, OP. Mary
Ann is one of several sisters from the Adrian,
Michigan Dominican Congregation who has come to New
Orleans recently to assist in the recovery efforts
and ministry of the Southern Province. Sr. Mary Ann
says that in her time here she sees the people
experiencing the seasons of life - sometimes they
experience dryness and difficulty of winter, other
times it’s the newness, growth and hope of summer.
Mary
Ann has been missioned to Xavier University of
Louisiana to work in Campus Ministry with Jeffery
Ott (Chaplain) and the campus ministry staff. She
ministers to the needs of the faculty by being a
pastoral presence in a time of great chaos and
upheaval in their lives. “I wanted to share my gifts
of listening and emotional support,” says Caulfield,
who is still on sabbatical after being Chapter
Prioress for six years. “I thought I could be of
some assistance, especially since I lived in nearby
Slidell and worked in education there.”
Other
Adrian sisters are working with the friars in their
various ministries. They plan together how to best
use their talents and abilities. Srs. Margaret Lane,
OP and Marilyn Uline, OP are ministering with the
friars at St. Thomas More Parish at Tulane
University. Srs. Carol Johannes, OP and Celine
Regan, OP work in the community of St. Dominic
Parish. Not only here to assist the friars, Sr.
Carol Louise Hiller, OP serves the community at St.
Mary’s Dominican High School. Sr. Joan Mary, OP
serves the elderly residents, including retired
priests and religious at Chateau de Notre Dame.
At
St. Maria Goretti, a parish in New Orleans East, Srs.
Eileen Meyers, OP, Noreen O’Connell, OP and Mary
Elizabeth Crimmins, OP minister with the Sisters
from the Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic in
a door-to-door effort to support the people who are
rebuilding in the area. Only one house in ten
is occupied and many residents are struggling to
rebuild homes and lives while living in FEMA
trailers. They are the "lucky" ones because
residents must have water and electrical hook-ups in
order to get a trailer. Some sections of New
Orleans are still - 2 years later - without water
and/or electricity.
In
the outpouring of help to New Orleans, Sr. Donna
Markham, OP, sent a letter to the whole congregation
asking for sisters to help the Dominican Family and
the people of New Orleans. There was a great
response to the call, says Sr. Kathy Nolan, OP,
Councilor of the congregation who was asked to
mission or send the sisters to various OP ministries
in the City. “The sisters really want to be here,’’
said Kathy. “All of them are very gifted women who
bring a diverse set of skills and abilities from
their years of ministry.”
The
sisters have found their time in New Orleans to be a
blessing. “It’s amazing to see the people here at
Xavier,” says Sr. Mary Ann. “They have been
overwhelmingly open and gracious with their
hospitality.” Among the things that have impressed
Caulfield the most is the faith of the people here.
“These people are living that faith to the fullest
in order to get through it. They need God who is
greater than all the heartache and tragedy they are
going through, otherwise they wouldn’t make it,” she
says.
“It’s the
faith of the people that keep this City alive.
And this is a time for me of reverencing their lives
and their witness.”
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: