[StBernard] Archdiocesan/Catholic Charities Recovery and Response Update

[Westley Annis]

UPDATE ON ARCHDIOCESAN RECOVERY AND RESPONSE

Humanitarian aid and pastoral care first priorities of Church response
 NEW ORLEANS, La. – The following is a list of updates and important 
announcements from the Archdiocese of New Orleans.  The archdiocese and 
Catholic Charities remain committed to the region’s recovery and to its 
mission that all people are treated with dignity and respect.  Through 
collaboration with governmental and other nonprofit partners Catholic 
Charities is on the front lines of the humanitarian aid to those 
returning to the area.

 PASTORAL CARE OF PEOPLE

     Archbishop Alfred Hughes and Bishop Roger Morin along with priests 
of the archdiocese were part of a delegation of clergy that met 
returning evacuees at Union Passenger Station this morning.  Throughout 
the day today, the Archbishop, Bishop Morin and Bishop Fabre will be at 
the station to greet people returning to the city and priests of the 
archdiocese have been assigned to minister to the evacuees at the CAEP 
neighborhood drop-off points. 


 
HUMANITARIAN AID

     Catholic Charities has stationed a team of case managers at Union 
Passenger Station and case managers and counselors at the 17 CAEP 
drop-off sites.  Through Second Harvest Food Bank, a Catholic Charities 
agency, water and food is being provided to those going through the 
check-in points. 
     Second Harvest Food Bank has provided food to Grace Harbor Church 
in Port Sulphur to prepare hot meals as well as to St. Bernard Parish 
Habitat for Humanity.  There are an additional 10 truckloads of food on 
the way to the region from Feeding America and two from FEMA to be 
distributed as quickly as possible.
     Teams of out of state nurses have arrived in the area to assist in 
the recovery effort.
     To make a donation for Hurricane Gustav Recovery, go online to 
http://www.ccano.org/DonatetoHurricaneGustavVictims.htm.  


 
ARCHDIOCESAN RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES

     Christopher Homes, Inc., today reopened Christopher Inn in New 
Orleans.  Residents may return anytime today.  This reopening means 90% 
of the 1200 Christopher Homes residents may return to their apartments 
now.  The only Christopher Homes property remaining closed at this time 
is Place du Bourg in LaPlace because power has yet to be restored 
there. 
     Christopher Homes will be serving meals throughout the weekend to 
provide for their residents and families.
     The archdiocese is working to return their nursing home residents.  
Wynhoven Health Care residents returned to their Marrero facility 
yesterday and residents of Chateau de Notre Dame will return to their 
New Orleans facility late this afternoon today.
     Padua Pediatrics, the Catholic Charities home for individuals with 
profound disabilities, will return to their Belle Chasse facility 
tomorrow.
     Sierra House, another Catholic Charities residential facility are 
returning today. 


 
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

     All schools are scheduled to reopen Monday, September 8 unless 
power has yet to be restored.
     Parents are asked to call 1-866-346-2617 for the most up-to-date 
information on school closures or check www.archdiocese-no.org.


 
REGIONAL OUTREACH

     Colleen D’Aquin, archdiocesan/Catholic Charities Director of 
Emergency Management, is stationed in Baton Rouge with a team of CCUSA 
disaster management experts.
     Tom Costanza, archdiocesan/Catholic Charities Director of the 
Office of Justice and Peace, is stationed in Assumption Parish to 
coordinate relief efforts in collaboration with Catholic Charities 
Baton Rouge.
     Aaron Portier, Catholic Charities Director of Planning and 
Evaluation, is stationed in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux to 
coordinate relief efforts with Catholic Social Services. 
 
ARCHDIOCESAN ADMINISTRATION

     All archdiocesan administration employees should return to work as 
normal on Monday, September 8.


 
COMMUNITY CENTERS TO REOPEN MONDAY
The following Community Centers will be open for business beginning 
Monday, September 8, 2008.  Services provided will be listed under each 
center.
 
HOPE HAVEN – Marrero, LA                      ST. LUKE – Slidell, LA
1101 Barataria Boulevard                      901 Cross Gates Boulevard
Marrero, LA   70072                           Slidell, LA   70461
Food, Counseling, Case Management             Food, Counseling, Case Management
 
 
ST. JEROME – Kenner, LA                       ST. JOHN – New Orleans, LA
2400 33rd Street                              1920 Clio Street
Kenner, LA   
70065                                         New Orleans, LA   70113
Food, Counseling, Case Management             Food, Counseling, Case Management
 
 
The following Community Centers will be open as soon as power is 
restored and staff return:
 
ANNUNCIATION – Washington Parish              HOLY FAMILY–Washington/Tangipahoa 
517 Avenue B                                  1213 14th Avenue
Bogalusa, LA   
70427                                         Franklinton, LA   70438
 
INCARNATE WORD – New Orleans, LA              GERT TOWN – New Orleans, LA
8326 Apricot Street                           3425 Audubon Court
New Orleans, LA   70118                       New Orleans, LA   70125
 
ST. GABRIEL – New Orleans, LA                 ST. BERNARD – Chalmette, LA
4700 Pineda Street                            1519 E. Judge Perez Drive
New Orleans, LA   70126                       Chalmette, LA   70043