[press] Exponent On Fro

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 1 of 10

Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page

LOCAL FEATURES Friday, June 02, 2006

Helping Hands restore hope in New Orleans’ neighborhoods By Rick Walker Special to the Exponent NEW ORLEANS — Operation Helping Hands (OHH), a home re-building program of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, plans to refurbish by the end of this year 1,000 of the 200,000-plus homes in New Orleans that need to be restored after the 2005 devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Since the storms, Catholic Charities had to lay off 75 percent of its staff. The program depends on volunteers drawn from across the United States. To date OHH has gutted more than 325 houses and, in May, begun re-building some of these homes. The volunteers form teams of 10-15 people working for five days removing debris, moldy wallboard and insulation from the once flooded homes. The residents who benefit from this charitable work are for the most part elderly or disabled and cannot accomplish the work themselves or are homeowners who cannot afford to hire commercial labor. On May 1 and 2, I worked with one of the Operation Helping Hands restoration work teams. Our work week began at the flooddamaged St. Raymond Church in the Lakeview area at 8 a.m. Deacon John Ferguson provided a half hour orientation in the parking lot of the church. He pointed out that the houses, many of which had been flooded over the eaves, have been mostly untouched since the 2005 summer storms. He emphasized important safety measures, such a wearing a protective mask to filter mold spores when in the houses. Leather work shoes and gloves are also a must. The work is physical, very dirty, hot, and can be overwhelming.

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

Other Articles of 2006 Capital Campaign making a lasting impact on Diocesan Church ‘Voice of Hope’ speaker: Charities gives help, hope to millions Stop! In the name of God, stop! Ulster Project’s ‘Brother Iggy’ visits diocese, shares insights See the saints as companions for the sick and disabled, author urges New fund created to support counseling for abuse survivors Rootstown St. Peter community to dedicate new church Nov. 26 Hispanic presence in Ashtabula County grows, challenges status quo 10th Red Mass, dinner honors legal professionals Diocesan Youth Convention draws

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 2 of 10

During the orientation, work team supervisors loaded tools and supplies into the work vans and trailers. Shovels, crowbars, hammers, wheeled trash cans, and brooms are the main tools. Cases of bottled water, a first aid kit and antibacterial wipes rounded out the cargo to be unloaded once at the site. A box of chips, snack crackers and fruit, and a cooler with sandwiches provided by a local church group are included for the lunch break. Our team was assigned to Adam Laudun, one of four Work Team supervisors. Each one supervises several teams during the work day. Laudun, a native of the Northshore area, has worked for Catholic Charities for eight years, first at Hope Haven for at-risk children and most recently until Katrina for the P.A.C.E. program, a state of the art elder care center in the Bywater area of New Orleans. Laudun returned to New Orleans a week after Hurricane Katrina did its damage and traveled the archdiocese assessing the damages of various church properties. It was his understanding of the extent of the damages that enabled him to assume the great responsibility of Work Team supervisor. Laudun leads five carloads of multi-faith volunteers – all from Iowa except me – to our first house in Ponchartrain Park, a subdivision between the New Orleans East and Gentilly Woods neighborhoods. Ponchartrain Park developed as a neighborhood in the 1940s and 1950s. It is situated between two breeched canals – the London Street Canal and the Industrial Canal. It is just south of Lake Ponchartrain. The area had water as high as or higher than some of the house roofs. Scum marks remain where the water level settled just below the eaves. The neighborhood remained flooded until it could be pumped out 10 days later. The first homeowner we met was Mary Alston. She was living in the Ponchartrain Park home in which she grew up. She and her sons Daniel (19 years) and Deshaun (16 years) evacuated to Mesquite, Texas, three days before the storm and were not able to return for a month. The drive took 14 hours. She was able to view her neighborhood online while in Texas and realized the extent of the flooding. That did not prepare her for what she witnessed when finally retuning home a month later, “Oh… it was devastating,” she said. As of May 1, 2006, the house had remained unchanged since the flood; molding, with the left-behind contents scattered from having floated in the ceiling high water. As many in Ponchartrain Park, Alston is a parishioner at St. Gabriel Catholic Church. I noticed when I was emptying ruined clothing out of the closet in one of the bedrooms a

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

hundreds with ‘brick’ theme Youngstown St. Casimir celebrates 100th with Mass, dinner Catholic Charities redefines a ‘typical day’ as new needs surface 86 couples honored in wedding anniversaries service 16 Lay Leaders of Prayer to be commissioned in North Jackson Pauline priest, now RFR co-chair, serves Institute in retirement Into the swamp: My use of video on the Internet Randolph/Suffield St. Joseph Parish marks 175 years St. Thomas Aquinas to honor third HOF class Nov. 11 Ursuline auction set for Oct. 28 New column to focus on liturgy and its importance in our lives Hungarian Revolution Remembering 1956: 50 years later, freedom fighters recall Hungarian Revolution

Diocesan Youth

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 3 of 10

prayer cut from the archdiocesan newspaper, “The Clarion Herald,” taped to the wall above the light switch. It was a prayer to Our Lady of Prompt Succor, the patron saint of New Orleans, and in part it read, “…spare us from all harm during this hurricane season.” There were many other religious artifacts strewn about: holy cards, pictures of Jesus, a rosary. When I asked Alston about the state of her faith as she deals with the destruction and the disruption in her family’s life, she replied quickly, “My faith is fine, strong; I look at this as a new opportunity.” Our Lady seems to have “prompted” this woman, who has never evacuated for a hurricane before, to leave New Orleans and avoid harm. Our team was able to take out from the Alston house all of its contents to the street, including the appliances. Broken and water-soaked furniture, TVs and stereos, framed photos, broken dishes – everything a family might have in their home – were all destroyed by water and time. We removed all of the cabinets, sinks, walls and ceilings, including the nails; the floor tile and swept it all out. The debris pile was four and a half feet high and approximately 50 feet by 20 feet when we were finished. Amazingly, we completed the job in nine hours with the finishing touch of saturating all of the wooden surfaces with a first-of-several bleach and water solutions. Having finished the Alston house Tuesday morning around 11 a.m., we followed Laudun to the next home on Providence Place on the opposite side of the Ponchartrain Park neighborhood. The home of Augusta Mogilles had been completely under water once the levees broke. The octogenarian had lived in this home more than 50 years. With her son, Derek, she fled the storms to Oklahoma, returning about a month later to the devastated neighborhood. Derek Mogilles said that when they came to see the house there was nothing but ruined homes and quiet – not a bird, a dog, or the sound of a child; just stillness. He added, “Mama’s doctor told me, ‘This is the worst thing that could have happened to her.’” She suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. They are still living in a motel room. The inside of the Mogilles home looked as if there had been a whirlpool there. Even the chest freezer in the kitchen had come to rest with one end on the stove and the other on the sink! We were able to salvage some special china from the china cabinet, but everything else was a loss. The rear picture window had been broken by debris, so we totally removed it to facilitate removing the larger pieces of broken furniture and mattresses. In spite of the immense mess, we were able to empty everything out and get a good start on

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

Convention scheduled for Nov. 12 at Mooney Yo. St. Patrick sponsors Nov. 5 benefit for Katrinadevastated parish ‘Last convicted Youngstown Mafia hitman’ grows in grace Dialogue on immigration at Walsh shows Catholic/Lutheran unity Theologian: ‘New direction’ evolving in Jewish/Christian relations Bp. Franzetta’s unpreached Easter homily affirms his faith, view of world’s future Diocese bids farewell to native son during Oct. 3 liturgy Friends of Bp. Franzetta recall his life of service and love Gentle Ben: His ministry touched the lives of everyone in the diocese Diocese bids farewell to native son during Oct. 3 liturgy Walsh dedicates freestanding OLPH chapel during services New assignments announced for three diocesan priests

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 4 of 10

removing the flooring and wallboard before the second work day was done. A deacon for 29 years in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, John Ferguson is the OHH Work Teams coordinator. “Having done pastoral ministry for those years,” Deacon Ferguson said, “I was praying for a change…a different view of the world and my ministry. I get an e-mail, sent to all of the deacons, requesting help. I responded…for what was to be 20-30 hours a week.” He continued, “It is a very demanding job; I’ve never done anything that demanded so much. Our limitation is the number of volunteers.” Deacon Ferguson works double the estimated hours a week. Responding to my question about how people can cope with their huge losses, James R. Kelly, CEO of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, said, “We have over 300 counselors going door to door and in community centers around the city counseling folks. It’s all about individuals. You have to take the massiveness of the storm, but look at how it has affected each individual. Your children, brothers, sisters, every family [in New Orleans] has been touched.” Kelly concluded, “With God’s grace, only with God’s grace can we get through this.” According to Deacon Ferguson, Operation Helping Hands will probably need volunteers for at least two more years. The extent of the destruction from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in urban New Orleans alone equals a combined area of these cities in the Diocese of Youngstown: Ashtabula, Canton, Columbiana, Conneaut, Kent, Massillon, Ravenna, Salem, Warren and Youngstown. How would we recover with a loss that immense? The property loss plus the economic and spiritual losses are beyond imagination. Timetable uncertain as parishes continue to recover By Rick Walker Special to the Exponent SLIDELL, LOUISIANA – Many areas outside the city of New Orleans suffered severe damage as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Hard-to-classify book offers compelling insights on Gospel living Poland Holy Family marks 50th with new Habitat house Walsh Cavs ready to take next step toward MSFA Mideast title Hispanics changing the face of Catholicism in Yo. Diocese Two women from Youngstown Diocese enter SND community during service Sister Pat Flores to begin novitiate with HMs in Sept. 10 ceremonies New assignments announced for three diocesan, one order priest High schools open with new staff, special programs Sr. Judith Nero to mark 50th with open house, vespers service Ursulines announce new director for Ursuline Preschool, K

Nine elementary schools welcome When I visit my step-daughter in Slidell I attend new principals St. Genevieve Church. It is located on the north shore, two miles from Lake Ponchartrain. St. Little Flower Genevieve Church was flooded with 4-1/2 to pastor recalled as five feet of water, scattering the 1,000 parish humorous, gifted families to all parts of the country. The church priest building, the rectory and the social hall, now used for church services, were all flooded. The church has been gutted, but the rectory is just Niles Our Lady of

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 5 of 10

now being cleaned out. When asked how many have returned, Deacon Dan Haggerty, whose ancestors donated the land for the church, said, “We have had a number of parishioners relocate, but also an influx of new parishioners from [the badly flooded] New Orleans East and other areas. Right now we’re holding right at 900 to 1,100.” Father José Roel Lungay, pastor of St. Genevieve for five years, was in the Philippines with his ailing mother when the hurricanes struck. He returned in February after her death, thinking, “Coming from the Third World, I thought nothing would shock me; you live in poverty. I can handle this easily. But, no matter how much you try to block it [the disaster], you’re in it. I’m a parishioner too. If we pastors say we are not affected, there is something wrong.” Asked about his parishioners, Father Lungay said, “It’s amazing! I asked my deacons. They [the parishioners] don’t talk about each other any more. They ask each other how they’re doing. They help one another.” Since he returned in February, Father Lungay has lived with three different parish families; each move was a little closer to the church. He now has a loaned RV that has taken the place of a rectory, parked right beside the social hall where parishioners attend Mass. The people of St. Genevieve greet each other joyfully on Sunday. The welcoming conversations still, eight months later, begin with, “How much water did you get?” Or, did you hear what happened to…?” The concern for one another is palpable. Worshipping in the social hall does not dampen their spirits. “Glory to God in the Highest” rings out from a congregation surrounded by artifacts from the church, a St. Vincent de Paul table filled with household items parishioners might need but not buy, and a table with all kinds of helpful information. St. Genevieve Parish is on its way back, but the timetable is uncertain. Back to Exponent Menu Printer Friendly Page

Mt. Carmel marks centennial year N. Canton St. Paul to celebrate in newly-renovated church We have a new mailbox … online, that is! Conoboy ordained for diocesan priesthood in cathedral rites Parishioners and friends remember Father Fete New ‘rebuild church’ collection scheduled for Aug. 26-27 Youth discuss moral decision making at Diocesan Youth Congress Jubilee celebration scheduled Aug. 6 for three Ursuline sisters Girard center turns lives around Diocese calls for donations to assist Ashtabula flood victims Couple awaits first child, stresses benefits of NFP for married life 20 Notre Dame Sisters set to mark jubilees July 23 Question: What would the Orthodox have to do to have unity

Four Dominican sisters to mark

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 6 of 10

golden jubilees July 23 Jefferson native Shawn Conoboy to be ordained to priesthood July 29 Y maintenance director heading for Benedictines aspostulant Sr. Brendon Zajac leaves diocesan post for role with order Four Dominican student brothers took varied paths to religious life Wedding Anniversary celebration marks 8,100 years of marriage Last Vincentian to serve St. Matthias reflects on order’s heritage Chaney High grad ordained a priest Two priests receive new assignments Helping Hands restore hope in New Orleans’ neighborhoods Catholic/Orthodox dialogue group hears founding speaker ‘Church at Home’ combined collection set for June 3-4 in parishes Fr. Mankowski, Fr. Wehrlin accept new assignments as parish administrators

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 7 of 10

Fr. Lavelle named pastoral director for Catholic television in diocese Regina Coeli music director turning to a new ministry Walsh Cavs place 8 on All-AMC North baseball team; Matsui honored Cathedral service honors officers killed in line of duty Annual Diocesan Art Festival honors grade-school talent Visit to Rome with religious vicars: ‘Going back home’ Annual ‘Night to Honor Mary’ draws hundreds to Cathedral Youth/Young Adult Ministry to hold Diocesan Youth Congress Peace Corps director keynotes 43rd Walsh commencement Annual ‘Rabbi Meyer Memorial Lecture’ set May 31 Parish staffs learn challenges of ‘welcoming the stranger’ ACTION banquet draws hundreds to hear new mayor Catholic Charities’ First Step

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 8 of 10

programs bear witness to God’s love Ursuline to wrap up centennial year . . . look to bright, everchanging future Declining enrollment closes Youngstown IC, St. Matthias schools Diocese names administrators for St. Clement, St. Bernadette parishes Statement of Director of Government Programs 23 teens to be honored with ‘Eagle of the Cross’ award April 27 Walsh ‘Natural Law’ lecture focuses on its relevancy Diocese ‘in full compliance’ with Charter for Protection of Children/Young People Walsh teams with Mercy Medical for Clinical Pastoral Education program Sancta Clara nuns sell soup and bread, build community Bp. Hughes to mark 60th jubilee Who is my neighbor? Reflecting on immigration and Catholic social

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 9 of 10

teaching Diocese wraps capital campaign, launches 2006 Annual Appeal Baptismal dress has been worn by 152 babies…and counting Diocese announces upcoming retirements for five priests IC dinner/auction raises funds to keep center-city school alive 383 prepare to become members of Church at Easter Missions, penance services, Medjugorje visionary on Lenten schedules Catholics respond generously to historic Diocesan Capital Campaign Hispanic/Latino initiative at Walsh will help El Salvador Missions, passion play, retreats top parishes’ Lent agendas Speaker: Christians need to be aware of culture of death Church Overseas Combined Collection set for Feb. 18-19 in diocese Liturgy Day keynoter: Christ present in four ways

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006

Diocese of Youngstown

Page 10 of 10

Working for Catholic press brings out standards, camaraderie, humor Volunteers plan second trip to New Orleans to help in clean-up Eagle of the Cross nominations sought Annual White Mass set for Feb. 12 at St. Columba Sisters of Charity Foundation of Canton announces grants totaling $712,931 St. Louis Parish dedicates Jerry Bolanz Memorial Peace Garden St. Dominic celebrates golden jubilee of first Midnight Mass Diocesan Capital Campaign captures honors at ICSC convention Friends salute Exponent cartoonist Ed Sullivan Past Articles From 2005

© Diocese of Youngstown All Rights Reserved Powered and Designed by cboss Inc.

http://www.doy.org/viewpast.asp?ID=1996

12/4/2006