Eighteen months after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, the damage is still beyond belief. Choosing to spend their winter break helping that city, 15 students and 5 faculty of La Salle, Providence, arrived in New Orleans on Feb. 17 and settled into what would become their home away from home for the week. At Mater Delarosa Senior Citizens Housing (run by Catholic Charities), the 20 volunteers had sparse accomodations including air mattesses - a vivid reminder of the everyday living conditions for so many New Orleans residents.
On Sunday, February 18, Mr. Ken Tedesco (President of De La Salle HS) and Ms. Gina Hall (Principal of DLS HS) welcomed the volunteers for a traditional sharing of King Cake and a briefing on how the hurricane has affected the Lasallian family there.
The assignment given to the La Salle Academy twenty by Catholic Charities in their "Helping Hands" program was to help restore a 27-room house that had been in one family for five generations before the neighborhood flooded. You can see for yourself the great work done during the week, as the participants are producing a video of their experience. If you are interested in having a presentation at your school or ministry, or if you are seeking further information, please contatct Maryann Donohue-Lynch, Director of Campus Ministry at La Salle Academy: 401-351-7750x130.
Thank you, Maryann, for organizing this important week of helping our brothers and sisters. Thank you to the twenty of you for your noble and holy work all week long.
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