Graced in Mississippi by Sister Karen Hartman, SFP
The Call… The National Association of Catholic Chaplains sent a message via internet requesting any chaplain who had the Red Cross Disaster Training to offer themselves. Unfortunately, I did not take the disaster-training course when it was offered several years ago. So that was a “dead end.” Catholic Charities asked for people who had experience in working with volunteers. I thought that could be an avenue to explore. I submitted my name, but did not receive a response. Channel 9 in Cincinnati aired an interview on Sunday, September 4, with a lady from St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Covington, KY. Employees organized and prepared to leave that day. The team consisted of fourteen nurses, two doctors and a respiratory therapist. They left for Thibodaux, LA on Sunday and were to return on September 9. I contacted Paula Miller, the nurse who organized the first team. I learned that another team was in the preparation stages, but “on hold” till they could clear the shelter where the volunteers were housed. The team was to leave on September 26 and return October 2. Paula was willing to place me on the team as chaplain and I could be a member of the team that went to the hospital in Thibodaux, LA. Howeer, at that moment they were on hold and would not know for a couple of days. My last resort was to email a campus minister friend in Starkville, MS. When I expressed my desire to help the survivors of Katrina she assured me that there was an influx of people from the coast and I could be of real service to them in many ways. I expressed my desire to serve as a certified chaplain, indicating that I could come on September 25 for two weeks. I spoke to Sr. Joanne Schuster, US Area Congregational Councilor, who gave me the blessing to continue the planning. The Response… He then told me that my friend Fran Lavelle could not come to the airport to meet me and had arranged that I stay at the “Kindelan Castle” for the night. Fran had called the airport and had me paged to inform me of the change in plans and to reassure me that the Kindelan family was very trustworthy. Juan and I drove to his home where I met his wife, Brenda and daughter Katie, the three cats and a dog, Abbey. The family planned to attend the 5:30 p.m. Mass at the University of Memphis so I joined them. On the way to the campus Brenda received a phone call from her daughter in Starkville to learn that a tornado had struck on campus at 3:10 p.m. The weather had been threatening all day. That had been the reason why Fran could not drive to Memphis. After Mass we enjoyed dinner with students from the university Monday morning Fran arrived to take me to Starkville, MS to begin my volunteer experience in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and now the tornado in Starkville. While en route to Starkville I learned the shelter in which I was going to serve had closed on Friday. The staff was able to place the survivors in more permanent temporary housing and we began to discuss other options where I could best serve. A phone call to The Salvation Army proved to be very welcoming. I reported to The Salvation Army on Tuesday morning and was welcomed by the staff. They were overwhelmed with donations of clothing as well as by many people who were in need. My duties were to sort and hang clothes, restock the racks with clothing so that the people could “shop” for what they needed and to talk with the survivors who came for clothing, food and other necessities. Some mothers had babes in arm, so I held the little ones while mother shopped for what she needed to provide for her family. I had opportunities to chat with many of the shoppers to hear their story, learn of their needs and offer support and prayers. I knew from day one that this is the ministry that the Lord had designed for me while I was in Starkville, MS. Speaking with a young father who was at The Salvation Army with his wife and twin baby boys, Davidshan and Danashan, I asked,” How are you doing?” His response: “We’re ok; we’re going to make it – we are ALIVE.” The tone of his voice revealed the struggle they endured and the faith that helped them to survive and be together. The Salvation Army was designated as a central place for survivors to sign up for financial assistance. On Wednesday we processed approximately 200 people and distributed vouchers and debit cards so they could obtain gas and other needed items.
During the month of September 2005 The Salvation Army processed 295 cases; served 656 individuals, distributed 445 food boxes; distributed 3989 clothing items, 43 furniture items and gave $19,250.00 in debit cards. Statewide The Salvation Army served over 2,000,000 hot meals and over 3,000,000 sandwiches, snacks and drinks. The food supply ran short by Friday, but on Monday several male students from Mississippi State University (MSU) brought seven pick-up truckloads of food that had been collected by the students. My time and energy were divided between sorting and stocking the food pantry and restocking the clothing racks in the Thrift Shop. While in Starkville I had the opportunity to visit with some of the students at MSU. Students from MSU had come to Cincinnati on two occasions to participate in the Franciscans for the Poor Volunteer Program. Four of the young women remembered me and were delighted to visit. It was a joy to share dinner with the students from the Catholic Student Association on two occasions and pray with them at liturgy. One Tuesday evening I was the guest speaker at the dinner. Since it was the feast of St. Francis it was not difficult to come up with a topic!
The staff of The Salvation Army were very kind, gentle and generous people. The attitude of the Director was: “If we have it, and you need it, it is yours.” She spared no effort to respond to the needs of the people who came. The compassion and attention were given to each person. For many of the survivors this was the first time in their lives that they had needed to ask for assistance. It was a very humbling experience for them, but each need was given attention. Deedee, the Director, at The Salvation Army, was so grateful for my presence and assistance. She continually expressed her appreciation for my being there. Other staff members were very friendly and cordial. They, too, expressed deep appreciation for my being with them. Reflection… What has changed in my life by the experience in Starkville, MS? As I ponder the question I continue to pray for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Rita and the tornado that came through Starkville, MS on September, 25, 2005. I was lovingly cared for physically and spiritually during my entire experience. I am grateful to the Congregation for their blessing on my request to serve and am grateful to all the people who made this experience possible. I was honored to bring the healing charism to Starkville, MS and the people in need as a Franciscan Sister of the Poor.
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Franciscan Sisters of the Poor
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