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OBLATE PARISHES IN SOUTH FLORIDA BRAVE HURRICANE WILMA |
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There are five parishes in the Miami Archdiocese that have Oblate priests at their service. St. Stephen’s in Miramar seems to have suffered the most, with significant roof damage on the parish school and the toppling of many trees. The former prenovitiate also sustained some slight damage.
The two parishes in the Diocese of Palm Beach also sustained some damage to trees and buildings, but not nearly as much as last year’s hurricanes.
All of the Oblates involved will experience being without electricity for some time to come. They are making valiant efforts to salvage frozen food and are cooking on gas grills and Coleman stoves. Hurricane season lasts until November 30!
A meeting of U.S. Province superiors was to have taken place in North Palm Beach on the very day that Wilma struck. Knowing that she was on the way, the provincial, Fr. Louie Lougen, OMI, canceled the meeting. The Superior General, Fr. Wilhelm Steckling, OMI, was to have attended, but he was able to get a flight back to Rome before the storm hit.
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The
Oblates who minister in South Florida had their second experience of a
hurricane this season. Katerina blew into and out of Miami very quickly in
late August. But Wilma had other ideas. With an eye 75 miles wide, she
managed to show her force in all of the areas where the Oblates live and
work.