GRACED IN MISSISSIPPI, PART 3

Here is the whole gang!

by Sister Karen J. Hartman, SFP

It seems like a long time ago, (it was June 9 – 16, 2007)  that I made the third trip to Bay St. Louis, MS to assist in some way with the rebuilding of homes after the tragedy of Katrina in 2005.  This year there was again a  large group of 61 strong and dedicated people from three parishes in our neighborhood who made their way to MS.  Several of us boarded the bus after the 5:00 p.m. Mass at St. Bartholomew’s and made our way through the dark hours of the night.  Others drove in cars, vans and pick-up trucks.  The four parishes that participated this year were: St. Bart’s, St. James in the Valley, St. Vivian’s and St. Gabriel’s.  The ratio of youth to adults was about 50-50. 

We arrived in Bay St. Louis at around 9:30 a.m. and settled in at St. Augustine Retreat Center.  It was the boarding site for folks who participated with St. Rita’s Outreach and Recovery program.  This year we had three bunk beds per room and the convenience of full bath facilities in each room.  St. Rita Outreach and Recovery is an Americorps program; we worked very closely with them on about 16 different projects.  This year the philosophy had changed a bit.  When a group arrived at a site to do work the group would stay till the job was done. They would help the family move back into the home or  do whatever needed to be arranged for the family to occupy the home again. 

The areas of work were with families of Our Lady of the Gulf Church, St. Clare in Waveland and St. Rose of Lima.  Each parish had a co-coordinator who was the overseer to be sure that supplies were available and that everyone had a job.   My particular assignment was at St. Clare’s with a group of about eight other workers.  I primed and painted the pastor’s laundry room, hallway and bathroom.  One day I helped paint in OLG’s school cafeteria.  One of the art teachers was painting several murals from the Old Testament on the walls.  She was really talented. 

Some of our group laid hardwood floors, others did insulation work, there was electrical work that needed to be completed, drywall to be hung along with indoor painting as well as outdoor painting. 

Our meals were in a large “mess hall” and were prepared by Americorps members.  The meals were simple and nutritious.  The weather was HOT and HUMID, but we survived –we drank lots of water. Each evening we concluded with recreation and prayer. 

As I reflect on the experience I am grateful for having had the opportunity to return to Bay St. Louis to see the progress, but a bit saddened to see how much still needs to be rebuilt.  Speaking with the coordinator at St. Clare’s, he says “It will take another 15 years to complete the tasks.”  The funding remains a major problem;  federal funding is very slow in coming and people do not have the funds to rebuild on their own.  Other volunteer groups were present in the area.  Still -- much of the work is done by volunteers.  Supplies are readily available if one has the funds to purchase them.  Many of the people suffer from depression due to the fact that life has been disruptive for more than two years.  The excitement is fading during this long  haul. 

One of the highlights for me was to visit the families we assisted in the summer of 2006.  They were at Mass on Sunday morning waiting for our arrival.  It was a joyous reunion and celebration.  During the past year Margaret has written a book and it will be published this fall.  We were able to visit in her home to see the furnishings and decorations that had been completed.  That was very satisfying to realize that in some small way our group was instrumental in helping her return to a bit more homey environment.  Again, I look back with deep gratitude for having been able to go to MS and help, especially at this time.