ISAAC ARRIVES

At noon today, Tuesday the 28^th, Charles came into the kitchen to announce that Hurricane Isaac [an upgrade from tropical storm] had made landfall between Mississippi and Louisiana.  Br. Bob, Matt Beben, John Petrullo and Travis Wain were eating leftover pasta and discussing a foray out to look for food.  Br. John kept insisting the electricity will fail and the community needed something to eat.  We have water, bread, cereal, and cake—basic food groups here.  One banana and a few nectarines remain.  A foraging party is forming up.

 

In other preparation, the cars are parked within our parking area—some on the lawn; this area does not flood—so they say.  We have a tiny grill and a fair amount of charcoal.  We have moved anything that might become airborne on the property into the first floor, so have done what we can.

Now the air conditioning is still on, but winds are picking up, and we have had some rain showers.  We expect more.  We had “natural rising” this morning to take advantage of the air conditioning in the bedrooms—which will fail when the power goes off.  At least we’ll have had one comfortable night.

John’s flight to Vancouver today via Atlanta, and Minneapolis was cancelled yesterday but he re-scheduled for last night with a 10:15 PM departure and a 10 hour layover in Salt Lake City!  When John got to the airport at 8:00 PM he found that flight being cancelled also.  He got rebooked for Wednesday—but that is doubtful, also.  So he is back to share the experience.

This morning the community gathered around 10 AM for prayer, then for a sharing of personal history—“getting to know you” was the theme.  The orientation has begun—rather differently than Bob planned but everyone is adaptable. 

 

Last evening preparations for the storm were evident in our area and in the drive to the airport.  The neutral  ground [grassy strips between lanes of traffic on major roads] were full of parked cars—it is the highest ground in many areas that take water before the pumps can take it all out.  Many store and restaurant fronts, and even some homes in our area, are boarded up too.  The TV stations are keeping everyone informed and we even got an electronic notification on the house phone from the Mayor’s Office.  More as things move along—if we have electricity!

URSULINE LINKS AND VOLUNTEER ARRIVALS

Ten young people from the United Kingdom, with six Ursuline Sisters came to dinner with us on Saturday evening, August 25.  Sr. Kathleen Colmer, and Sr. Catherine Kelly accompanied the students who included one young man, Scott Willans, who stayed with us on a previous trip in 2010.  His girl friend, Sarah, was on both trips.  The group volunteered with the St. Bernard Project, which continues efforts at rebuilding flood ravaged areas of New Orleans.  The coordinator for the trip, Sr. Regina Marie Fronmuller and Sr. Ginger Cirone joined us as did Sr. Carla Dolce, Prioress, and Sr. Donna Hyndman from the Ursuline Convent.  We usually house several young men who come with the group but other accommodations were found for Scott.  We wanted to keep our connection with the project, so we had the dinner!

Some of our guests [the Sisters] had to leave early for the Saints game!

Our young guests laid flooring and learned a lot about construction during their week of service.  Saturday was a free day and many went to the French Quarter.  They commented on the number of people, young and old, dressed in New Orleans Saints colors for game day.  The amount of powdered sugar on the beignets at Café du Monde, and the street musicians and artists also made lasting impressions.  We Americans complimented our British guests on the superb Olympics and the budding acting career of the Queen.

We trust our visitors noted that the Saints won over the Houston Texans, 34-27.  Geaux Saints!

Br. Charles is due in Sunday evening at 4:40 PM after a week with relatives in Seattle.  Our volunteers are also due.  Matthew Beben has been in town a week and a half; Travis Wain and John Petrullo are on the way from Memphis.  There is a lottery for rooms developed and run by Brother Bob.  There is one rather small room but that person gets a big closet across the hall.  

Now we are watching weather reports of Hurricane Isaac.  John leaves Tuesday to facilitate a retreat at Vancouver College, British Columbia, hopefully ahead of Isaac!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:  From a letter to the editor of the Times Picayune this week:

“As the first home game for the New Orleans Saints approached -- even though it was only preseason -- I was reminded of an old news story that poked fun at New Orleans. It basically said that "we don't get it down here.”

Drew Brees and son after Super Bowl win

It is my belief that they don't get it up ­-- or out -- there. People can visit New Orleans, people can read about New Orleans and people can hear about New Orleans, but unless you live here, or have lived here, you won't get it. 

That is why we were able to rebuild after Hurricanes Betsy, Camille and Katrina. This city gets in your blood, this city gets in your soul -- and THAT is why we can come together and celebrate any occasion, especially the Saints.

Those poor out-of-towners with their counties will never understand a parish, will never grasp lagniappe, or a roux, or a second line, or the Saints and what they mean to this city. From the front office people to the coaching staff, this team has done more for this city's spirit than any outsider could fathom. This team concept is what makes New Orleans the great city that it is.

We are diverse, but we are one. We are of different races, backgrounds and creeds, but we are one. We are New Orleanians. Geaux, Saints, geaux! “

SUMMER 2012

First floor center hall

 Summer meant travel, reflection, and renovation of energy and surroundings.  At the end of June, John spent some time in the New York area to learn more about a new role with Christian Brother sponsored schools.

Back here in New Orleans, Bob continued his work renovating areas of the first floor and Charles expanded his service to Lantern Light Ministries by taking on a new responsibility getting mail to the many homeless who depend on the Center for an address so they can receive support checks and contact their families.

On the 4^th of July we had folks in for dinner.  Our guests included Sr. Nancy Hale, CHF and Presentation Sisters Vera Butler, Enid Storey and Anna Raimon.  Glenn Lirette, a neighbor, and a friend also joined us. 

John, Sr, Enid, Jacques, Sr. Anna, Charles, Sr. Vera, Glenn Lirette, Sr, Nancy

 On the 12^th, we went out for dinner with Molly Sherry and Allison Maraldo; Molly has returned to the Northeast while Allison is hoping to find work in New Orleans.  On the 13^th, Holly Odo, who taught with John at St. Philip Neri and now teaches at All Hallows in the Bronx visted.

Mr.LeJeune, John, Tom and Mrs LeJeune on steps of the church

 On the 14^th of July Charles left for retreat and the parish of St. Henry celebrated its feast day with a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Gregory Aymond in the church, which now is open for weekday Mass at 6:30 AM.  Br. Tom Lejeune was back, having driven his parents from Houston for the annual reunion celebration—they are from this parish.  On the 20^th Bob began his drive to retreat at Jericho House in Canada, just across the border from Buffalo, New York.  John flew to Buffalo Sunday, where Bob picked him up and they went to retreat together.

Glenn Lirette kept an eye on our house, and when Charles returned on the 28^th everything was in order, Glenn even sorted the mail!

John was back on August 4 and prepared for meetings on the 9^th with the School Leadership Center about DISCOVERY WALKS and on the 10^th facilitated the opening school retreat for the 45 teachers and staff from St. Francis Xavier Elementary School. The following week, John met with administrators at Holy Cross High School and St. Mary’s Academy whom he will be working with this year.

Bob continues work winding down operations at Operation Hands and assisting with the books at St. Joseph’s Church on Tulane Avenue, while preparing for our new volunteers, and visiting possible volunteer sites for next year.

Bob and John got to see family members after their retreats; Charles left for Seattle on Saturday the 18^th and due to poor weather and the vagaries of air travel got to Seattle at 1:00 AM their time.

Side yard in the back of the house--needs weeding!

 We have had a WET month in Louisiana.  However, the drought north of us has diminished the flow of water into the Mississippi and salt water is backing up. Measures are being taken.

We did get some good news--New Orleans is now third on the list of cities with the most blighted properties--Detroit and Flint, Michigan lead the way.

There is still much to rebuild--homes and communities.