The Rainbow After The Storm
Reflections on The National Black Catholic Congress Visit to New Orleans and Mississippi
By Kathleen Merritt,
Director, Office of Ethnic Ministries, Diocese Charleston
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 The National Black Catholic Congress hosted a solidarity visit to sites of historical significance for
African Americans in the Gulf Port, April 18th-April 20th, 2006. A team of thirty-one leaders in the Catholic community representing various ministries across the United States participated with the hope of finding ways in which the community can be of greater support in rebuilding after the storm. The facilitating efforts of our Bishops, Most Reverend John H. Ricard and Joseph Perry was instrumental in allowing us to process what we saw and heard with empathy and Christ-like compassion. Ms. Valerie Washington, Executive Director of the National Black Catholic Congress, coordinated a schedule that allowed participants to experience the financial, mental and spiritual impact of Hurricane Katrina and Rita on survivors six months later.
While driving through the many areas devastated by the hurricanes, I found comfort by engaging in a search for the rainbow that is believed to always appear after a storm. My newly acquired learning in "Appreciative Inquiry" has transformed my way of seeing negative situations in a different light. The first rainbow revealed itself during our visit to the MAX School of New Orleans. Three of our Historically Black Catholic High Schools in New Orleans banded together to provide a combined learning institution called the MAX School. The leaders of St. Mary's Academy, St. Augustine High School and Xavier University Preparatory High School formed an educational collaboration that exemplifies true educational success based on our relationship with God. Located in the center of a city in chaos, order and organization exist at the MAX school. During our visit we received a warm welcome and a copy of a book written by the MAX family. The title of the book is MAXimum Faith and it consists of prayers and reflections of the young Katrina Survivors who are now students at the MAX school. The editors of the book, Rev. Tony Ricard and Mr. Chris Quest, II, created in the book an avenue for experiencing true faith in action. The book is available to the public and the proceeds goes towards providing academic scholarships and assisting with youth ministry programs. For more information on the book and how you can be of assistance to the youth at the MAX School please visit website
www.FatherTony.com.
It is hard to come up with words to describe the physical condition of New Orleans as it is today. Visual cues such as tons of abandoned cars under bridges, create flashback images of people rushing to protect their prized belongings before the storm. We saw little activity on removal of much of the debris and abandoned cars in the city. A rainbow again peeped through as we were informed that the Chancery for the Archdiocese of New Orleans was just reopened since the storm. The Most Reverend Roger P. Morin graciously spent time with our delegation and explained the many challenges they are facing in the recovery process. The future of some of our traditional African American parishes is uncertain. Some Diocesan decisions being made on which parishes will remain open, and which will be consolidated or closed are being based on a pastoral plan developed prior to the Storm. The question now remains; will this pre- Katrina plan adequately meet the evangelization needs of the African American Catholic community in post-Katrina?
The future of Xavier is of great concern to the African American Catholic community. The university's President, Norman Francis, welcomed us and told us his story. Unfortunately he has not received much financial support from the community in rebuilding. After much debate with the insurance companies, they finally paid up and the university is open and educating our future leaders. Still there is not enough money to cover all the damage from the storm. A chapel is greatly needed for the students. Katharine Drexel was the founder of Xavier University which is the first and only Black Catholic University in the United States. It was Katharine Drexel that gave financial resources so freely whenever needed without question of repayment. Dr. Norman Francis is calling out to all of the Katharine Drexel's of today. Xavier is moving forward slowly after the storm and its future depends a lot on the "Momma Factor"; will mothers send their children back to Xavier in the fall? We must all pray that parents do send their children back and we must become advocates in our communities for Xavier University. We can also help by telling others of its academic excellence every opportunity we get. Although prayers will also be of tremendous help and foremost, sending in our dollars would be even better.
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