Hurricane Katrina hit landfall, centered on New Orleans, LA and 100 miles in each direction, on August 28, 2008.  Hundreds of thousands of homes were damaged and in New Orleans alone over 40,000 familes are still rebuilding their homes, as of the fall of 2008.

Catholic Charities of the Dicoese of Youngstown has had a steady presence of volutneers assisting the rebuild through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans as well as with Habitat for Humanity and Crossroads Christian Minsitries.  While volunteers ages 14+ are welcome and have successfully served in this ministry, specific trip options are required when some members of a mission group are under 18 years of age.  Volunteers are assigned to tasks based on their skills and are encouraged to learn new ones, too.  It is always well to include people who have some repair/building skills in the formation of a group.

Volunteers have reported that they have grown in further sense of:

• Church mission and outreach
• Spiritual response to poverty
• Beauty of creation
• Community Building
• Personal appreciation of God's blessings
• Collaboration, teamwork and belonging
• Respect for others
• Career/vocation discernment
• Stewardship

If your parish is interested in a mission trip, it can be adapted to fit the needs of your parish/organization.  Fr. Edward Brienz is also available to make presentations on the trip or to educate your parish on how Catholic Charities responds to disasters throughout the country.  If you are interested in a group presentation or mission trip, please contact:

Fr. Edward Brienz, Mission Liaison
ebrienz@youngstowndiocese.org
Phone: 330-744-5233
Fax: 330-744-2282
Cell: 330-205-8632
 

If you or your parish are interested in putting together a mission trip,  you can download more information here. 

March 30, 2009 Update

Catholic Charities Mission Trip Proposal/Itinerary

Sample Journal for Your Mission Trip

Below you will find some links to places of interest in New Orleans