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Finding God in the storm
Patti Mansfield, who lives in New Orleans, shares her reflections on the effect of Hurricane Katrina on the lives of its inhabitants
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This is underlined by the 90 chapels of Eucharistic adoration in the archdiocese of New Orleans, 20 of which have perpetual adoration. There are tremendous works of charity. New Orleans has many vibrant evangelistic ministries, and one marian pilgrimage site received so many pilgrims from New Orleans that they thought it was a state, or country not just a city. Our CCR office too sponsors vibrant outreaches to teenagers and adults and has led thousands into Baptism in the Spirit. Outreach to men is also strong and there are more teens attending youth events in our state than any other place I know. In short, our city is a city of grace. Rather than see this disaster as a punishment for our corporate sin, I believe the Lord is using this to call our nation and our world to repentance. Because of the financial impact on everyone in our nation through increase in oil prices, New Orleans and especially its poor cannot be ignored. My husband has reminded me of the Rome prophecies given in St Peter's in 1975. Since I no longer have access to files or resources, I'm quoting from memory: "Buildings you see standing will no longer be standing… The comfort you have now will be far from you but the comfort you have will be the comfort of my Holy Spirit. And when you have nothing you will have everything… lands and brothers and sisters and peace and love and joy.." How much the word of God has strengthened us in these days. Our people who are now "refugees" all over the country have asked us what the Lord is saying to us through these times. For me the message is : We must praise Him in all circumstances. "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ, Jesus for you." (1Thess 5:16-18). We must offer ourselves and our suffering in union with Jesus. "I appeal to you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind so that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom 12.:1-20 We must allow God's amazing providence to be released as we trust in Him. "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire you shall not be burned and the flame shall not consume you." (Is. 43:2) We must exercise our faith in God's promises. "We know that everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose." (Rm 8.28). I believe we must re-consecrate our city to Our Lady and invite the Holy Spirit to "hover over the chaos". I recall that the early French explorers called the Mississippi River the River of the Immaculate Conception. While the early Spanish explorers called it the River of the Holy Spirit. May the Holy Spirit and Mary meet once again at the mouth of the Great Mississippi River and may Jesus be born anew in the city of New Orleans and exercise his Lordship over our land. Please pray for us.
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In
the ten days of waiting for news of home, we have grieved for our people
and our city. These are streets we have walked, people we have loved
and a region we have laboured in for over 30 years. And how wonderful
the people of New Orleans and the Gulf South are. Some have speculated
that this flood is God's judgement on New Orleans since it has a reputation
for loose living with its Mardi Gras madness and occult practices. The
very weekend after Katrina came, there was a huge gathering for homosexuals
called "Southern Decadence" planned for New Orleans. Yes,
our city has been known for sin. But that includes the sin of all its
inhabitants as Romans reminds us "All have sinned and fall short
of the glory of God" (Rom 3.23) But we are also reminded in Romans
"Where sin abounds, grace abounds still more." (Rm 5.20).