My dear parishioners,

While away on evacuation, you probably wondered if you would have a home to return to or how much damage you would have from the hurricane. We all know that hurricanes cause much stress in our lives.

Just as you did upon return, I went about the diocese with some staff members to evaluate the damages. It is heartbreaking to see so many of our parishioners whose homes have been affected. Quite a number of our parishes have been affected as well. The areas of the diocese hardest hit were Bridge City, Orange, Fannett, China, Sabine Pass.

In Bridge City, St. Henry Church took in at least 18 inches of water. I was looking forward to dedicating St. Therese Church in Orange, which had just been rebuilt after Hurricane Rita destroyed it. The new Church also took in quite a bit of water.

In China at Our Lady of Sorrows, the brick veneer and vapor barrier on the east wall collapsed. At St. Mary in Fannett, the entire roof was blown off and the rear of the Church was severely damaged and was exposed to the elements. St. Paul Mission in Sabine Pass was again destroyed.

St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica also took in a great deal of water. The windows in the dome and in the choir area were blown out. We are doing our best to save the art work inside.

These are the areas most affected by Hurricane Ike. We have many more parish buildings that were also damaged, but not as severely.

As I went around the diocese looking at the damaged churches and homes, feeling a bit down, I thought about God speaking to the despondent Job through the storm (Job 38). God told Job to look at the marvels of creation, the sky, the earth, the color of the clay, animals, etc. God wanted Job to come out of his despondent state and realize God was with him.

Like Job, especially during times of tragedy, we tend to focus only on our own situation. We forget to look at the total picture – in spite of tragedy, there are blessings. Remember the cooler than usual temperatures and the dry weather we experienced the week after Ike, including the full moon which provided light in the darkness.

During the past few days, I have been going around visiting the sites where Catholic Charities is providing food and water and assisting those most in need. I am inspired by so many people willing to help others and provide encouragement, especially our young people. Their enthusiastic presence reminds us that God works through them, and this gives us hope for our future.

With so many people, locally and nationally, reaching out to help, we are able to experience that God is compassionate and wants us also to share that compassion. The root of the word “compassion” in the Hebrew language has reference to the womb. This suggests a bond between a mother and the child in her womb. God’s compassion for us is life-giving, like the womb. As a child depends on the mother, so we depend on God.

During this recovery from the hurricane, let us respond to others with compassion, especially to those who lost their homes. Let our prayers, words of consolation, and deeds be a support and comfort to one another.

Sincerely in Christ,

Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory, S.V.D, D.D.
Bishop of Beaumont