The Dominican Family Responds

It would not be possible to name all the ways in which the Dominican Family responded to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina. We are very aware of the visible examples of compassion, support and action taken by Dominican sisters, friars, associates, nuns and laity in the United States and around the world. One goal of the Faith and Hope in New Orleans series is to share what did happen to the Dominicans in New Orleans well after the events of August, 2005. Some efforts may not be described here, but this is a simple illustration that the world is indeed connected and we are family to one another.

Among the volunteers are Northeast Six congregation members who helps with reconstruction

Many sent email messages of sympathy and encouragement, contributed donations and volunteered time and talent to assist not only the Dominican Family in New Orleans, but the whole city.

The Dominican Sisters of Hope sent teams of medical volunteers and supplies in the spring of 2006. The volunteers set up shop at Audubon Zoo in uptown New Orleans. The Remote Area Medical group of RAM became an “oasis of hope” and relief to those with myriads of medical needs. RAM provided over 9800 units of care. The Dominican Sisters of Grand Rapids sent sisters to work among us during Holy Week of 2006. The sisters were awed and humbled by their experience, especially the cross made from wood from the storm’s debris and used for Good Friday services.

Great Bend Dominican volunteers arrived in the summer of 2006 to assist in restoring Resurrection of Our Lord Church and School in New Orleans East. Ten young women and their chaperones, including four Dominican sisters of the ministry Mission of Hope arrived in the heat and humidity of the deep south.

Springfield Dominicans also sent aid in the form of medical assistance to residents of the Gulf coast setting up shop outside the First Baptist Church of Biloxi, MS. St. Dominic’s Health Services of Jackson, MS received and treated displaced patients from effected hospitals along the coast . St. Dominic physicians, clinicians and staff traveled to Biloxi to serve at makeshift primary care clinics.

Lower Ninth Ward home (January, 2007) Photo Credit: Ray Casey

Adrian Dominicans began arriving in the fall of 2006 and committed themselves to two to three months of work among members of the Dominican Family to help with rebuilding community.  READ MORE

Dominicans from the Northeast Six congregations visited in July, 2007 to volunteer in a number of projects. They included Dominicans of Hope, Sparkill, Amityville, Caldwell and Blauvelt. Over a five-week period, 26 sisters served in housing, food pantry service, tutoring in a summer children's camp, home visiting, clerical assistance, library assistance and special services. They spent time visiting affected areas of the region, particularly the Lower 9th Ward where the Eucharistic Missionaries serve. 

When the Dominican Communicators' Network visited New Orleans in January of 2007, over and over again we heard the same reminder: Don't forget about us, don't forget New Orleans."

We haven't and neither has the rest of the Family.

Anne Lythgoe, OP (Catherine de' Ricci)