Posted on 08/31/2005 4:50:12 PM PDT by NYer
BATON ROUGE, Louisiana, AUG. 31, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Archbishop Alfred Hughes of New Orleans gathered with the governor of Louisiana and religious leaders to pray for the survivors and victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"We are so overwhelmed, we do not know how to respond,'' Archbishop Hughes said today in Baton Rouge, according to the Times-Picayune newspaper.
The prelate did offer a suggestion: Turn to prayer. The archbishop read from the Letter of St. Paul to the Romans: "We know that all things work for the good of God ... if God is for us, who can be against us?''
Governor Kathleen Blanco concurred. "We need a higher power right now," she said. "There are a lot of people to pray for."
The governor asked residents to spend the day in prayer.
"That would be the best thing to calm our spirits and thank Our Lord that we are survivors," she said. "Slowly, gradually, we will recover; we will survive; we will rebuild."
Thousands feared lost
The mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, meanwhile, warned that the hurricane probably killed thousands of people in the city. Two levees were breached a day after the hurricane struck the region, leading to the flooding of the below-sea-level city.
At least 100 people were reported dead in the neighboring state of Mississippi.
Catholic Charities USA is preparing to help in the rebuilding process in the Gulf Coast.
"The mission of Catholic Charities USA is to rebuild lives; our niche is long-term disaster response," spokeswoman Shelly Borysiewicz told ZENIT.
"We are now trying to decide what the best response will be, whether it's housing, resettling people in other cities or job placement," she said. "We're in for the long haul."
Typically in emergency situations, such as the aftermath of a hurricane, Catholic Charities USA offers mental health counseling, temporary housing or housing assistance vouchers and emergency cash assistance to those who have lost jobs, Borysiewicz said.
Aid programs
Catholic Charities USA has a Web site for relief aid at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/news/katrina.cfm, and the phones have been "ringing off the hook," Borysiewicz said.
"Once we determine everyone's needs, we'll distribute all donations to the local Catholic Charities agencies in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina," she said.
The U.S. bishops have asked that dioceses make a special collection for the hurricane victims to be distributed through Catholic Charities USA.
Meanwhile, the Connecticut-based Supreme Council of the Knights of Columbus provided initial relief funds for the victims of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida today.
Knights of Columbus members and the general public are asked to donate to a disaster relief fund administered by Knights of Columbus Charities.
Donors in the United States should make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Charities USA and send them to:
Knights of Columbus Charities USA Inc.
Gift Processing Center
PO Box 9028
Pittsfield, MA 01202-9028
Attn: Hurricane Katrina Relief.
Donors in Canada should make checks payable to Knights of Columbus Canada Charities and send them to:
Knights of Columbus Canada Charities Inc.
Gift Processing Center
PO Box 7252 Station A
Toronto, ON, M5W 1X9
Attn: Hurricane Katrina Relief.
The Knights, the world's largest Catholic lay organization, says that 100% of contributions will go directly to hurricane relief, and all donations to Knights of Columbus Charities are tax-deductible.
Papal Telegram on Behalf of Hurricane Victims
VATICAN CITY, AUG. 31, 2005 (Zenit.org).- Here is the telegram of sympathy, for the victims of Hurricane Katrina that hit the Gulf Coast of the United States, sent by Benedict XVI through Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Vatican Secretary of State, to the country's civil and ecclesiastical authorities.
* * *
Deeply saddened by the tragic consequences of the recent hurricane in the United States of America, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI assures all those affected of his closeness in prayer. The Holy Father commends the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and upon their grieving families he invokes divine blessings of strength and consolation. His Holiness likewise prays for the rescue workers and all involved in providing assistance to the victims of this disaster, encouraging them to persevere in their efforts to bring relief and support.
Cardinal Angelo Sodano
Secretary of State
You have asked a very good question. With a Democratic Mayor and a Democratic governor, I don't have much confidence that the recovery will go smoothly. Both of these civil servants seem to be more bewildered than focussed. It's as thought they ran for ofice as a honorary title. Now, when work needs to be done, they will be put to the test and I fear the Peter Priciple will rear it's ugly head. For those of you who are under 30 years of age, that's the principle that incompetence somehow is always found eventually in an organization due to advancement of people beyond their capabilities.
Praying constantly for the victims and our country.
Where is the leadership of this city?
Where is the mayor walking among the people who elected him?
Where is the Governor? She was on Larry King last night, where is she now when a whole city is in anarchy? Why is she not commanding her National Guard as a commander should?
Where are the elected officials of this parish?
This people, is a lack of leadership. Not one person in that state with a few exceptions can even DEFINE leadership, must less practice it as such. This calls for leadership and adult supervision. The Governor, the Mayor and the elected officials have failed to lead. It borders on criminal.
Elected officials like Mayor Giuliani, who step out amongst the citizens of their county, city, state, are rare indeed. You can be sure that the folks in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and other parts stricken by this storm will vote in new leadership the next time around. It's so easy to lead when there are no problems that need to be resolved.
"Knights of Columbus Charities USA Inc."
Great charitable organization.
"Where is the mayor walking among the people who elected him?"
The major, the Governor and most of the local politicians who control NO and LA should be kicked out of office and replaced by real leaders.
I think this governor got herself unelected by the handling of this situation. Also the mayor of New Orleans.
"Please pray with me for United States of America-hurricane"
Prayers for Romulus, Askel 5, and others from New Orleans and Louisiana
Prayers for the Victims of Hurricane Katrina
Catholic Caucus: Virgin of Prompt Succor - Hurricanes and Dangers
How about a Prayer for the Kat Hurricane folks Drstevej former freeper
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