We will post ongoing messages from her
experiences in New Orleans, please scroll down:
July 25, 2008
Dear Sisters & Associates,
Greetings from New Orleans!
After a full month in NJ which included a spiritually enriching
Retreat as well as our inspiring, joy-filled intercultural
Gathering and sharing I feel reenergized to engage again in
ministry to the elderly Katrina survivors here.
On the morning of the day of my return (July 17) extensive
progress was already being made in the City. Early that
Thursday, social workers from UNITY of Greater New Orleans
cleared the homeless camp that provoked the ire of city
officials and attracted people who tried to help from across the
nation. (I regularly passed by the encamped homeless on my
usual route to and from the two parishes I visit in and
occasionally shared food and clothing with them.) These
caseworkers had spent the past months gradually removing
severely disabled people from the camp covering two blocks
underneath the Caliborne Avenue overpass near downtown Canal St.
Many who pitched tents under the overpass came from abandoned
houses and other smaller camps across the city. Most of
them were drawn to the site by the steady meals and donations
delivered by church people, sorority women and schoolchildren.
By 7:30am the caseworkers had transported the 38 remaining
people, and, at sunrise 2 rumbling garbage trucks and pressure
washers eliminated the last evidence of life on the concrete
slabs. The daily newspaper wrote that "the quiet endpoint
contrasted starkly with the crowded, fetid encampment of a few
months ago when a rotating group of about 200 lived amid raggedy
tents, scattered mattresses and rat-infested couches."
As Fr. Mike, Edmundite
pastor of St. Peter Claver parish has said, "We continue to
recover and we want to move forward...The community thrives off
the homeowners and seniors who claim their neighborhoods and
want to feel safe and secure." He encouraged them to make
telephone calls to whomever is responsible for broken sidewalks,
missing street and traffic signs, abandoned and blighted
property, and whatever makes them not feel right. On
Tuesday I visited a Corpus Christi parishioner who was recently
widowed. Three weeks ago she moved back with one of her
daughters into her former home her sons had gutted and renovated
with beautiful cabinets, painted walls, tile floors, etc.
Directly across from her house is a small abandoned brick church
building whose roof is gone and piled high inside with debris
spilling out of the missing front door and broken windows.
As we stood outside saying "goodbye" a car drove up and someone
added to the trash there.
Yesterday, I attended my 5th People Health's workshop on
Diabetes. In early June it was "Diabetes and Exercise,"
this time "Diabetes: Avoiding the Complications." The
workshops are free and include blood level & blood pressure
checks, lunch, a speaker and time for questions. Each time I
learn something new.
I have enjoyed sharing with you "Life in New Orleans."
Let us continue to remember each other and the people to whom we
minister in prayer.
In Jesus' love,
Sr. Consuela
January 23, 2008
Dear Sisters and
Associates,
Best Wishes for a blessed and good health New Year of 2008!
We are having some very cool weather in New Orleans at this
time (30's and 40's overnight), mixed with a day or two of
temperatures returning to the 60's and 70's. Since I did not
think I would need a winter coat in Louisiana I've been
"layering" my clothing for warmth.
At this time of year there's a lot of pre-Mardi Gras
announcements and notices, both in the newspapers and on the
local TV stations. Many parades and festivities have been
planned not only in the New Orleans area but in counties and
cities far and wide. It has been reported that the floats
will be even larger this year than usual, carrying many more
riders to toss the expected trinkets - Medallion beads,
tri-color skull beads, doubloons, etc. - to the large crowds.
The traditional Zulu Parade will have as its 2008 Queen a
graduate from Xavier Prep School and the Xavier Prep Marching
Band will perform in front of it as they lead the way. If you
are interested in additional information you can log on
to wdsu.com and click on the Mardi Gras section.
Three bus loads from New Orleans went to the Pro-Life rally in
Washington, DC this week, including a Blessed Sacrament Sister
from the convent here. She was well prepared for whatever
cold weather might come their way (ear muffs and all). Her bus
left last Friday with planned stops at several historic sights
and at Mother Angelica's place on the return trip.
My ministry with the elderly survivors continues to expand.
This morning I had a first visit with an 81 year old
parishioner of St. Peter Claver who is recovering from open
heart surgery. Because her home was flooded inside up to the
roof she returned from Texas to stay with her daughter in a
lovely town house owned by her son. He and his wife decided
to remain in Texas after the hurricane; he is a pharmacist at
Walgreen's and their children are attending a very good school
in Houston. As we shared and prayed together I felt blessed
as she spoke of her deep faith and trust in God's care.
I thank you all again for your prayers in support of my
ministry and the parishioners I am visiting. Be assured of a
remembrance in mine as well.
In Jesus' love,
Sr. Consuela
October 18, 2007
Peace to you and all good!
The Blessed Sacrament Sisters convent and their St. Francis Xavier Prep School
take up a full city block, with the front of the Convent and the
short part of the L shaped school building both facing Magazine
St. This leaves space
in the back for parking and yard space for student activities.
Most school days the band practices outside and the tubas
and trumpets sound the beginning of their marching patterns.
The cheerleaders also have their practice outside as well.
It’s a unique and novel experience for me and I’ve easily
made the adjustment.
Since living at my present address I’ve been attending Sunday Mass
with several of the Sisters at nearby Blessed Sacrament Church.
The Church is only slightly larger than our former Chapel
on the hill in West Paterson.
Approximately l75-200 parishioners were in attendance for
the l0am Mass. In the Bulletin under the heading “Please Pray For
Our Beloved Sick Members” the request to remember those in need of
the Lord’s healing mercy listed 36 persons.
I felt sorry that I would not have the time or energy to
visit in that parish
also since right now I’m keeping in touch with 70+ parishioners
between Corpus Christi and St.
Peter Claver.
This week I was able to visit two especially important helping
facilities. Covenant
House has been a safe haven for at-risk and homeless youth ages 16
to 21 and their children for 20 years.
Their doors are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is
the only open-intake facility allowing access to this age group
without identification.
Youth who are in need stay overnight and receive a hot
meal. Those who
choose to become residents embark on a journey to independence or
family reunification.
Yesterday I shared a generous supply of jars of peanut butter and
cans of tuna fish from
Corpus Christi parish with the food pantry
at The Rebuild Center At St. Joseph Church which opened in August
2007, a downtown
center of hope for the St. Joseph neighborhood serving people made
homeless by Hurricane Katrina, the chronically homeless and
immigrant workers from Mexico and Central America who are pouring
into the city seeking work in rebuilding the city.
Religious Communities participating in this endeavor are
the Vincentians, Jesuits, Presentation Srs. Of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, and soon, the Daughters of Charity.
The Presentation Sisters I met told me that there are five
of them from individual Presentation groups and they come
from Ireland,
Nova Scotia, Canada and the U.S.
Besides providing job services, meals, groceries, emergency
and mental health assistance there are also vouchers for housing,
laundry and shower facilities, telephone, mail and legal services.
There’s a nice area for people to sit however long they
wish between 8am and 2:30pm and on Wednesdays different Jazz
players come to entertain from 11am until 1pm.
I look forward to seeing some of you when I come up to NJ on
November 1st for a two-week stay which will include visits to the
doctor, dentist, eye doctor and a Retreat.
Perhaps some of you will also be attending Region 1st
Program on November 3rd in Ringwood.
See you then!
In Jesus love,
Sr. Consuela
October 1, 2007
Best Wishes of peace and joy as we celebrate the Feast of St.
Francis!
This past week I had another "re-location" event. The Poor
Clares, who after Katrina opened their monastery to displaced
Sisters of other Orders, recently made the decision to return
to their practice of enclosure. So, those of us there had to
re-locate. I'm about 14 blocks away from the monastery where
the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament have a convent on the
property of their Xavier University Prep School (high
school). The 7 Sisters gave me a warm welcome on Saturday
evening - with wine for the occasion.
Some of our Sisters in the southwest shared ministry with
these Sisters at their school in New Mexico (I think).
Yesterday they invited me along for one of their Fund Raisers
"The Stars of Xavier Prep Soiree" from 4-7pm at the home of a
benefactor (who among other things owns a Racing Stable).
AT&T was listed among their sponsors. The performers were
exceptional and included a Barbershop Quartet, an
internationally known Diva, local talent and the Xavier Prep
Chorus.
Since I last wrote I was able to attend Sunday liturgy at the
only Franciscan parish in New Orleans located in what is
called "the upper 9th Ward." The hurricane left that area in
deep water - over the top of the tall street signs. Fr. Bart
is also trying to reopen their school as a "Charter" school.
I've also learned a bit more of New Orleans "talk."
Grandmothers and grandfathers are often addressed as "Maw Maw"
or "Paw Paw." They also have another address for Godparents
but I forgot what they're called.
Remember the archbishop of New Orleans' Pastoral "Made in the
Image and Likeness of God" which Kate sent to you? I recently
attended the Cathedral Deanery meeting on the pastoral where a
power-point presentation was made. This is the deanery which
includes both Corpus Christi and St. Peter Claver where I'm
visiting the elderly. A coordinator has been appointed to be
in touch with all the parishes and to help them to implement
the document.
This week I look forward to welcoming Srs. Veronica and
Livramento to New Orleans. Fortunately the temperatures are
now in the high 80's so they will not have to experience the
very hot and humid weather for which New Orleans is known.
Sisters, I again thank you for your prayerful support of us
here.
In Jesus' love,
Sr. Consuela
August 29, 2007
Two years ago on this day the city of New Orleans and its people
experienced Hurricane Katrina. Many special programs "of
remembrance" have been arranged, including the groundbreaking for
a special Memorial, numerous speakers (including a visit by
President Bush), with song and other arts too. I attended
the Katrina Memorial Concert II at Our Lady of Good Counsel
Church.
Recently our daily prayers to our merciful God and to our blessed
Mother were answered when we were spared the devastation of
Hurricane Dean. Because those in charge of evacuation
planning called back their employees who were on vacation that
weekend, and, there were statements in the newspaper regarding the
possibility of evacuation, I quickly reviewed the routing for my
own evacuation. In July I had contacted the Sister who is
Vicar for Religious to see what she would suggest I do in case of
evacuation. She arranged for me to be listed on the last
available bed at the Benedictine Abbey's Life Center in Covington,
LA located across Lake Pontchartrain. This is where her
Community went when they had to evacuate because of Hurricane
Katrina. I've been told that the bridge across the Lake is
25 miles long. And, unlike the bridges in NJ/NY all the
supporting framework is attached under the bridge - none is above.
It makes me feel a little sorry that I do not have a life jacket
since once you're on the bridge all you will begin to see in all
directions is water, water, water.
A few weeks ago I took my first drive across the Industrial Canal
Bridge into the Lower 9th Ward where the greatest flooding took
place. I visited the Goin' Home Community Care where every
day hundreds of people make their way to enjoy home-cooked meals
prepared by volunteers. The Cafe is the latest to be opened
by Emergency Communities, a nonprofit founded by 2 college
graduates in November 2005 to provide services to thousands of
people whose lives were devastated by the hurricane. The
Cafe provides 3 meals daily, as well as a place to wash and dry
clothes, take s shower, use computers or just sit and rest.
Emergency Communities has been so successful that it has garnered
the support of the United Way of Greater New Orleans, a well-known
local chef, Bette Midler and donors across the country. I
was able to share with them cases of peanut butter, jelly and tuna
fish from Corpus Christi parish where, after giving away hundreds
of these jars and cans, many are in the storeroom.
I still continue to visit approximately 60 parishioners between
Corpus Christi and St. Peter Claver parishes in their homes, or
trailers and sometimes in the hospital, rehab or nursing home
facilities. They often express their appreciation of my
presence with them especially in the embraces and tight hugs as I
leave.
Sisters, thanks again for all your prayers for us. You are
remembered as well in mine.
In Jesus' love,
Sr. Consuela
August 2, 2007
Greetings! Just wishing to share with you news of happenings
here.
On July 4th I enjoyed a festive cook-out/eat-in with the 101 year
old parishioner and her family. Before the delicious meal
Mrs. D. was full of joyful conversation, sharing memories of her
early experiences of faith, her mother's example to the children
in living out her beliefs and how Mrs. D. did the same with her
children (who are active in their parishes).
Last month the 2007 meetings of both the National Black Sisters'
Conference and the National Black Clergy Caucus met in New Orleans
as a show of support and care for the people of the city.
Although this year the meetings were not the Joint Conference
which we share every 3-4 years we ended up in the same hotel,
overlapping some of the days of our meetings. Because of
this I had many happy moments of re-connecting with priests and
Brothers whom I had not seen for years. The Opening Mass for
both groups was held on Monday evening, July 23rd, at St. Peter
Claver parish. And, I was pleased to welcome the Sisters,
Priests, Brothers to one of "my parishes."
Our NBSC group was about 50 Sisters from all over the U.S. and one
from Canada as well. The meeting days were very productive;
one day was set aside for a morning Tour of the city and, after
lunch at the Holy Family Sisters' Motherhouse, hours of Service
helping the Sisters to complete the work needed in the move of
their St. Mary's Academy from their temporary location back to the
Motherhouse property.
Yesterday I took my first bus ride from our corner of Henry Clay &
Magazine downtown to Canal St. where there are many
shops/hotels/business offices. At our Conference I had won a
$15. voucher ticket to breakfast, lunch or dinner at the hotel
where it was held. When I went in to have lunch there was
very loud construction going on behind a heavy drape near the
dining room. The loud noise continued throughout my
delicious meal of red fish, etc. I'm sure the several other diners
found it hard to converse with each other. As I finished my
meal and began to pay for it the waiter said there would be no
charge due to the "inconvenient noise" and I should keep the $15.
voucher for another time. What a happy surprise!
Today, the Feast of Our Lady of the Angels of Portiuncula, we had
a special Morning Office using the Franciscan supplement and
Marian hymns for Mass which were new to me. I went back to
the Monastery to share a festive 12 noon meal with the Nuns.
This evening a special Novena in honor of St. Clare begins at 7pm
in the main Church. Many mailings were sent out with an
invitation to attend. On the feast day, August 11, Mass will
be at 9am followed by a Reception in the Monastery Garden.
Well, that is all for now. Keep us in your prayers as I do
all of you.
In Jesus' love,
Sr. Consuela
May 17, 2007
In many of the neighborhoods where I visit parishioners a lot
of the houses are still unoccupied, often boarded up, some are in
various stages of repair, or, are just standing with windows and
doors missing or broken. A third of the parishioners I visit
live in trailers in front of or beside their homes still waiting
on the promised FEMA or Road Home monies to complete the repairs
needed.
Since day one of my being in New Orleans, I have been told by
the Sisters, by some parishioners to "be careful" as I go about in
the city. Often when I leave their homes parishioners will
continue to stand at their front doors until I am inside the car.
There seems to be daily reporting of people being shot (and
killed) - an incident about 4 blocks from the Motherhouse when a
man was found dead in his car one morning, and, my passing through
an intersection about 2 hours before a man pulled up to a
red traffic light and shot to kill a man in the car next to him so
that blood was splattered on his sister riding in the passenger
seat. And, some of the parishioners I visit have told me of
hearing gun shots at night in their neighborhood.
