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From the Editor
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October 29, 2021Hurricane Ida unleashes its fury on Houma-Thibodaux
This issue of Bayou Catholic magazine is dedicated entirely to coverage of Hurricane Ida which slammed Louisiana's coast at Port Fourchon, Sunday, Aug. 29. We begin the issue with stories from people who were directly impacted by the storm. The articles from the Bayou Stories section come from individuals who live in Grand Isle, lower Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes. Some stayed for the storm; others evacuated. Those who stayed recount the terrifying sounds of the wind and rain pelting their homes, ripping apart roofs, uprooting trees and making them wish they had evacuated to a safe place. Other stories tell of what some people found upon their return home. Many came back after the storm to find their homes were uninhabitable. There was a widespread power outage that went on for weeks. In some lower communities, power was out for over a month. This was an epic storm which will be a life changing event for many of this area.
In this issue, there is also a diocesan report which lists the damages sustained by church parishes, schools and satellite locations throughout the diocese. Just about every church parish in the diocese received some type of damage from Hurricane Ida.
There is a section that covers the reopening of the Catholic schools of the diocese. The Bayou Catholic was fortunate enough to receive help from the staff of the Clarion Herald, the official newspaper of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. Their editor, Peter Finney Jr., associate editor Christine Bordelon, and Kid’s Clarion editor Beth Donze, came down to our diocese and reported on the reopening of the Catholic schools. They helped our staff in a time of need. Without their help we wouldn't have been able to offer the amount of stories, and provide the storm coverage that appears in this issue. The staff of Bayou Catholic thanks them for writing outstanding stories and giving of their time while still having to put together a publication of their own.
Our parish priests have done an outstanding job of helping people in their communities during the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. We have stories from different priests who had to deal with many issues, some of a personal nature, while all helping to distribute goods and much needed supplies to storm victims.
There is also a section that features the work of the Diocesan Disaster Response Team. From the moment when it was safe to venture out, the Disaster Response Team members began assessing the needs of the people affected by the storm, and receiving and distributing goods for storm victims. There are many photos showing the devastation that Ida left behind. This issue of Bayou Catholic documents the first month after Ida.
This is an event that will have a long lasting effect on people's lives here in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Our coverage of Ida and how our people are recovering from the hurricane's fury will be an ongoing event for months to come. We pledge to tell the story of those who have lost so much from this powerful storm. There are many, especially those living in the southern portion of the diocese who lost everything they owned. There are people in the communities of Pointe-aux-Chenes, Dulac, Chauvin and along Bayou Lafourche who could easily be forgotten. We will do our best to tell their story, and let everyone know the plight of the people who live in the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux.
Remember, after reading Bayou Catholic, pass it on to a friend or relative who might not be attending Mass. It’s one of the great ways to do your part in spreading the Good News!
