"Faith and Hope in New Orleans:
 Dominicans after Katrina"

Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic

 BEFORE KATRINA
     August 2005

• Celebrating and praying together in Eucharistic liturgies is the bond that unites the sisters and associates in their mission to carry the invitation and the Lord’s message of truth and love to all, especially the neglected poor, the afflicted, the oppressed, and those in any way distant from the Gospel

• 48 associates serve alongside the Eucharistic Missionaries of St. Dominic in various ministries, touching those areas of society that are in need of the Bread of Hope, Justice and Love as they minister in the areas of
  health care, home visitation,
  religious education, spiritual direction,
  social work, prison ministry,
  parish administration and a variety of pastoral services

AFTER KATRINA

         2007

• Katrina directly impacted half of the associates – their city, their lives, their homes are changed forever

• Katrina’s damage caused associates to evacuate and stay away for months in other parts of Louisiana or in other states

• 3 associates evacuated to other countries

• 14 associates from the Greater New Orleans area cannot return to their original homes

• The internet provided the key for the sisters to locate associates after Katrina, although it took some time to re-connect with everyone

• Sisters and associates struggle to stay connected and in contact with each other

• Associates find their home parishes closed with no definite plans to re-open

• Twice a month the mailing of EMD Update helps to keep everyone informed
   

Snapshot text by Peggy Ryan, OP (Caldwell)

 

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