Katrina Tales: Community Gathers to Remember, Give Thanks on Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary

Twenty years ago, Hurricane Katrina taught people unforgettable lessons about how fragile life is and how strong human and community bonds can be in response. The Baton Rouge community gathered to remember, give thanks, and share messages of hope during a service hosted by the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton (IFGBR).

The service took place on Aug. 28 at Shiloh Baptist Church in Baton Rouge.

"Somehow it burns in the memory like it was just yesterday, and sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago," said East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards in his welcome comments.

Edwards graduated from Redemptorist High School in Baton Rouge. He served as coach there, as well as at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Jesuit High School in New Orleans, and Central High School in Central.

Mayor Edwards pointed out that the storm brought out "a lot of badness" but it also brought out "a lot of goodness." 

"Sometimes the hardest times bring people together from all races, religions, and affiliations when people need help," Edwards said. 

Images were shown of the hurricane's aftermath and recovery. Rev. Robin McCullough-Bade, former executive director of the IFGBR, said they are "images of damage, but also images of hope in the midst of the storm."

Rev. McCullough-Bade quoted lyrics from the song "Pat Soniat sings the Katrina Blues:" "When you tell your Katrina tale to your friends, man, it never fails, you cannot keep your eyes dry."

"As we gather here today, many cannot join us," said Rev. McCullough-Bade. "Because the trauma of Hurricane Katrina, the breach of the levee, Hurricane Rita ... it's still all too close, it's still too raw."
Top photo: Carol Spruell, lights a candle for those who are involved in search and relief efforts. Spruell actively assisted evacuees through Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge after Hurricane Katrina. Photos by Debbie Shelley | The Catholic Commentator
Above photo: People from various sectors who are involved in hurricane recovery sing a hymn during the service.
She emphasized that memories of Hurricane Katrina stir up deep emotions in people and elicit "sighs too deep for words."

"We gather here in this place at this time to hold faith for those who still feel the impact of the trauma; to pray for them and for us," Rev. McCullough-Bade said. "We gather on behalf of Greater Baton Rouge, which acted in extraordinary ways with steady compassion, acts of kindness, hospitality, generosity, beyond description."

She encouraged attendees to check in with their neighbors, co-coworkers, and those who "have a Katrina tale to tell."

Civic leaders, emergency responders, the medical community, and non-profit agencies took turns lighting a candle in a candlelight ceremony.

An additional candle was lit for the community as it moves forward. 

Among the agencies represented was Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge (CCDBR).

"The most vivid memory I have is of the crowds of people in the parking lot coming to Catholic Charities for assistance," said Julie Fontenot, executive assistant of CCDBR. "There were days when it was difficult to get to the front door because so many people were there waiting for our doors to open. We worked seven days a week for quite a while to help people as quickly as we could. Folding tables were set up in offices and in the hallways where staff from Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans were working. Everyone got an office buddy for several weeks."

Fontenot learned personally and professionally how important it is to genuinely walk with those in need.

"Those first days were chaotic. We did not have all the information or resources that were so desperately needed. But I remember how we focused on being there for each other and for those who came needing help and we committed to figure it out, whatever 'it' was at the time. I remember seeing how much it meant on the faces of people to know they were not alone. We know that on some level but experiencing how profound it was during that time has remained with me and continues to influence how I respond to people today. "

Susan Hymel, a member of the board of directors of the IFGBR, witnessed miracles of generosity as she fielded call for the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations (LANO).  

George Bell plays a trumpet solo during the candlelight service."People wanted to do something," said Hymel, a member of St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge. "They would say what they wanted to offer and asked how they could do it."

She noted a realtor from Colorado and others who regularly attended New Orlean's Jazz Fest came up with a creative idea for raising hurricane relief funds.

"He said, 'Since we're not going down there, we want to find a way to help some part of New Orleans. Can you ship me three dozen Hugbig Pies?" Hymel said.

He also needed Mardi Gras beads and CDs featuring New Orleans music so he could throw a party. Each attendee donated money to help New Orleans.

"Thousands of dollars were raised," said Hymel. "We found an organization near St. Joseph Church on Tulane Avenue that was mucking out houses. All the money was used to buy cleaning supplies to help that organization connected with St. Joseph."

The LSU Tiger Fan's renown for "bringing the party" to Omaha for the NCAA Men's College World Series prompted others to help them in their time of need.

"When you look at a per capita basis of the number of people who live in Nebraska and how many donations came from Omaha to Louisiana, it was the seeds planted by baseball fans. That became flowers of giving is that way," Hymel said.

Another call came from a defense contractor outside of Washington D.C. His company changed out furniture in their building and donated the used furniture to non-profits.

People emptied their freezers and shelves and gave what little they had to help others, stated Hymel. She felt blessed in managing people's flood of generosity.

"When you have unexpected gifts, how do you use them? It was like Jesus feeding all those people with some bread and fish," she said.