"Faith and Hope in New Orleans:
Dominicans after Katrina"
The Power of Katrina
"At a Glance”
Snapshot #
7
C’est Si Bon:
Dominican Friars Fully Engaged
in Post-Katrina Recovery
BEFORE KATRINA
August 2005
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30 friars lived and ministered in New Orleans
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Friars preached the Good News in two parishes, through two campus ministry centers and in various outreach ministries
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The Provincial Office in New Orleans coordinated Dominican life and mission among the friars
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St. Dominic Parish facilities, home for 10 friars, and a strong base for a thriving Catholic community of 2500 families with a vibrant Chapter of Lay Dominicans was served by 4 friars on staff; parish weekly income of $18,000
AFTER KATRINA
2007
All thirty New Orleans friars, six employees and their families accounted for and physically safe but 25 friars left homeless after Katrina
Friars displaced to other cities, other states; they lost all of their clothing and personal items
Two OP churches, two priories and the provincial office building suffered major damage from flooding and looting
Wind and water destroyed most vehicles used for ministry
Campus ministries at Tulane University and Xavier University are indefinitely suspended
All 1st floor facilities at St. Dominic Parish have to be gutted and restored; every pew in the church has to be replaced; school furnishings and instructional supplies have to be replaced
The St. Dominic parish community now numbers 1200 families, has only 2 friars on staff, parish weekly income of $9,000, had to cut 1 staff member and 1 maintenance man
Snapshot text by Peggy Ryan, OP (Caldwell)