I had the chance to speak at a retreat for St. Dominic (New Orleans) CYO on December 30. It was a privilege for me for a few reasons:
+ these young people lived in an area (Lakeview) which was affected greatly by Katrina
+ Their youth director, John Smestad, is a class act. He is also the diocesan director of youth ministry. I respect his work so much, as well as the professional and personal challenges Katrina has placed before him.
+ Returning to Camp Abbey is always a grace for me. I spent many retreat weekends and a few summers.

I was so touched to learn that another parish in the area (St. Matthew’s of River Ridge–I did their Lenten mission last spring) gave a very nice amount (I mean a very nice amount!) of gift cards to these 62 teens.

I still struggle to “get it”. The reality of it all is so far beyond me…

Another friend, Michelle Hernandez sent me this link to a short article about the need for folks to “lobby” their lawmakers to allocate the finacial resources needed to rebuild New Orleans. Please take a look…and please take 10-15 minutes to contact your lawmakers. It matters.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/252800_neworleans21.html

I was checking my e-mail when my father brought me the daily mail. He gave me a thick envelope and told me he had to sign for it.

I saw a Missouri address on it, one which I didn’t recognize. When I opened the envelope I was floored by what I found.

When I was at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Atlanta this past October, I reconnected with Cindy J. I had met her at a workshop in the diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau. She came up to me and asked me about New Orleans. We talked for a little while when she said that her youth group(s) had decided that the proceeds from their annual Advent wreath sale and give it to me to give to people affected by Hurricane Katrina.

I opened the package to find a Christmas card along with over $500 of gift cards to department stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, etc.

Thanks to the adults and youth from St. John’s and St. Anthony’s for their generosity and for the kindness to me and to the people of my area.