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HURRICANE KATRINA TOUCHES OBLATE LIVES |
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The news coming from Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi about Hurricane Katrina has put special anxiety into the hearts of Oblates. Katrina hit Florida near Hallandale Beach, just 7 miles from St. Stephen’s Parish where the Oblates minister. Oblates live and work at the famous St. Jude Shrine on the edge of the French Quarter in New Orleans and at the diocesan seminary in the “Crescent City.” For many years, young Oblates were trained at Pine Hills, a scholasticate that was located, until 1968, not far from Gulfport, MS. Oblates have friends and family in all of these areas.
The reports received so far are sketchy and incomplete. But all of the Oblates seem to be safe.
In Florida, the biggest inconvenience reported was a lack of electricity for several days, not only by St. Stephen’s parishioners but even by the parish priests, Frs. Alex Roque and Jonathan Closner.
In New Orleans, the pastor of St. Jude’s Shrine, Fr. Mike Amesse, along with long time seminary professor, Fr. Frank Montalbano, took refuge in the Cathedral rectory Sunday night and Monday. They are now staying with a friend of Fr. Bill Morell. Fr. Clarence Menard, another seminary professor, was able to stay at the seminary and is fine. However, with the governor’s mandatory evacuation order, it is uncertain what their next move will be.
The other Oblates at St. Jude’s, Fr. Tony Rigoli and scholastic Bro. Porfirio Garcia, made an attempt to drive to Belleville to get ahead of the hurricane. After 12 hours on highway 55, they got nowhere and ended up in a hotel lobby with dozens of other “refugees,” sleeping on the floor amid cats and dogs. Porfirio said it felt like he was in Noah’s ark! They eventually headed toward Dickinson, TX, where Fr. John Castro offered them hospitality at the Oblate retreat house there.
Fr. Sal DeGeorge’s two elderly aunts in New Orleans are fine. Fr. Kevin Collins drove from Houston to Gulfport, MS, to rescue his mother. The rescue effort was successful but the family home is ruined. (SEE MORE ACCURATE ACCOUNT BELOW!)
We will try to keep you updated as news arrives. |
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FRS. MIKE AMESSE AND FRANK MONTALBANO AND LASSEIGNE FAMILY MOVE TO HOUSTON (02 September 2005)
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On September 2, 2005, Frs. Mike and Frank were expected to move on to Houston, TX. We have also had word that the parents of Fr. John Lasseigne have escaped their hometown of New Orleans for the Houston area. |
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E-MAIL FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL TO FR. LOUIS LOUGEN, PROVINCIAL (01 September 2005)
Dear Fr. Louis,
Just to say that my prayers are with you in the US, especially the Oblates in New Orleans, at the catastrophic events over there. I am animating some retreat days of the Italian Province at Camaldoli and all the Oblates here join you in solidarity and prayer.
Fraternal greetings
Fr. Guillermo Steckling, OMI
Caro Padre Guillermo, Thank you so much for the kind message of solidarity. Our Oblates seem to be all well, but some of their families have lost everything. I am waiting for more information. God bless you and know that we appreciate so much your words. Fr. Louis Lougen, OMI |
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UPDATE FROM KEVIN COLLINS, OMI (01 SEPTEMBER 2005)
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Hello,
On Sunday afternoon my mom and I left her home to spend the night in her office which is on high ground. We spent Monday there and were more worried about wind than the water.
Everyone in my immediate family is safe. Last night my mom, my sister, Martha, and her family, and I left Biloxi and are staying in Pine Mountain, Georgia. My sister has a cottage up here.
We will be here for a couple of days or up to a week. I have heard that the water is back on in the neighborhood and power may be on soon. Our homes have been beaten up, but are still there. I don't know about my other relatives.
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