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
(Page 3 of 3)
Ways in which you can help
1. Form partnerships with parishes in New Orleans or Mississippi, this partnership can include providing monetary assistance to a parish through second collections and other types of donations on a regular basis.
2. Going to New Orleans or Mississippi can provide a physical presence in helping to clean up, make repairs, paint and other types of physical labor. Many parishes have been able to return to some type of normal operation because of the labor provided by various groups from all over the United States who have been engaged in repairs, restoration or rebuilding.
3. Provide ways where people can continue to be aware of the needs of Katrina victims which are not being met.
4. Actively engage in advocacy on behalf of Katrina victims with contact to U.S. Senators and Representatives, to assure that proper federal funding is given to areas which cannot recover on their own.
5. The National Black Catholic Congress through its web page will continue to supply information and congressional alert in order to help African American Catholics know what is going on at the federal level and enable all of us through proper lobbying of our representatives in congress to respond to the needs of Katrina victims.
6. Warren Bell, media staff from Xavier University in New Orleans can assist with identifying the needs of Xavier University. Feel free to contact him at (504) 520-7568 or email
wbell@xula.edu. Visit Xavier's web site:
www.xula.edu
7. Sr. Sylvia Thibodeaux, superior general of the Sisters of the Holy Family in New Orleans, has requested Wal-Mart and Home Depot gift cards to purchase items needed for the convent and sisters and additional help with cleaning their buildings. Please email Sr. Sylvia Thibodeaux, Superior General:
sylviathib@aol.com for more information.
8. Contact Catholic Charities in New Orleans to find out what else is needed in the New Orleans area. Catholic Charities will provide housing and meals while in New Orleans if you wish to send a delegation. You can contact them at (504) 523-3755.
9. If you wish to help in the Biloxi, Bay St. Louis Mississippi area you may want to contact Bishop Rodi's office.
Bishop Thomas J. Rodi
Diocese of Biloxi
Pastoral Center
1790 Popps Ferry Road
Biloxi, MS 39533
(228) 702-2100
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