by Father Mark Goldasich
The statement on its website was terse: The Basilica of St. Lawrence will be CLOSED September 30-October 4 due to the hurricane conditions (here) in Ashville. There was no parish bulletin for Sept. 29 online. The few pictures on the website showed a beautiful church with large stained-glass windows. It’s listed as a national historic site.
I was left wondering if it was damaged in the hurricane and how extensive the damage might be. And I’m sure that this is only one of many, many posts repeated throughout the southeastern United States in the aftermath of Helene.
Seeing the massive destruction in Asheville and so many other places embarrassed me. I confess to being mesmerized by the coverage on the Weather Channel as the storm progressed and intensified. Rather than thinking about all the people who would be impacted by this natural disaster, I was treating it as a form of “weathertainment,” sort of like watching a disaster movie.
It was only later that the reality of the situation struck me. This wasn’t something that ended as soon as I shut off the TV. Pictures of the devastation hurt my heart. As of this writing, there are 133 confirmed deaths and some 600 people unaccounted for. I can’t imagine what the people who have lost loved ones, homes and businesses are going through.
Every time I take a drink of water, I think of all the people there who lack even that. I’ve read accounts of rescue organizations having to use mules to get supplies in as roads are impassible or destroyed. Some people may not have power until the end of this week . . . maybe. For many people, there’s no cell service so they can’t call to reassure loved ones that they’re OK.
It’s uplifting to know, though, how quickly aid organizations across the nation have responded. According to Fox4 in Kansas City, Heart to Heart International has prepared thousands of hygiene kits for Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, and it’s sent a mobile medical unit to assist with essential medical care. Kansas sent a Type 1 swift water search and rescue team, Kansas Task Force 1, to Florida. Operation BBQ has prepared 14,000 meals for Floridians and expects to expand to other areas.
And, obviously, Catholic Charities from the Diocese of Charlotte is assisting in the area as is Catholic Charities USA.
When I say my heart goes out to all these suffering people, I call to mind this story told by Edmund Banyard:
“I once knew a village joiner in England who was also the undertaker when the need arose. His language and manners were crude and, as far as I know, he only entered a church when his professional duties required him to do so.
“Yet there was an occasion after a funeral when he heard a group of bystanders saying how sorry they were for the widow who had been left with a young family. Roughly, he pushed his way in and demanded, “How much sorry are you? I’m sorry five pounds!”
“And he took the money from his pocket and then proceeded to start a collection.”
(Story found in Anthony Castle’s “More Quips, Quotes & Anecdotes for Preachers and Teachers.”)
Read more on the situation in Asheville on page 10 of this issue. Afterwards, ask yourself, “How much sorry am I?” and consider sending a monetary gift to help. It’s easy. Google “Catholic Charities USA” to send a secure donation for Hurricane Helene relief (look for the large “Disaster Relief” button); text “Hurricane” to 20406; or send a secure donation to Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Charlotte at: ccdoc.org.
As I relax in my secure home, I’m sorry $100.
