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Our
Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church was situated on high ground and
still got four feet of water and sustained serious damage. Our
church lived up to being the area's mother church, as it officially
absorbed eight other closed parishes. It was the only church
of any denomination operating in the civil parish of Chalmette.
The challenges
are monumental, but Father Digal's bright outlook is more than
a match for them
This is
a difficult time and yet form me an exciting, hopeful time,"
he said. "What is most touching is Katrina brought many
families closer together. We may have lost almost everything,
but one thing hasn't been lost. The connection with the Church
and faith in God is remaining, constant. That's the most amazing
thing."
Displaced
parishioners even drive from as far as Houston and Georgia to
reconnect with their parish and to their pastor of two years.
Born in
the Philippines and ordained there in 1978, Father Digal (Dee-GHAL)
came to the United States and the Archdiocese of New Orleans
23 years ago. While administrator of Nativity of Our Lord Church
in Kenner, LA., he helped to found Nativity of our Lord Council
11921, of which he is a member.
"In
life there are difficult times for all of us," he recalls
the words of "Footprints in the Sand," saying, "The
one set of footprints you saw are not yours, but mine carrying
you then,' says the Lord. That is a source of courage, of hope
for those who believe."
It's part
of the lessons he draws from Katrina's aftermath. "There
are more questions than answers, but all I know is that God is
living," he said. "I have no reason to blame God. I
have a reason to trust him, his divine providence."
"This
may be our wake-up call," he added, in a tone of hope, "for
all of us to be vigilant, to be careful, to be united, to be
more living and to trust in God."
Father
Digal finds God's mercy and compassion touching his parish in
unexpected ways. He calls the helping hands reaching out from
across the United States a miracle.
He didn't
expect a surprise phone call from a Catholic youth group in Illinois
saying the members raised more than $1,000 for his parish, were
praying for him and his parishioners, and wanted to be partners
with them for a long time.
A representative
from St. Paul Church in Phoenix called to say that despite the
church's own debt, parishioners promised to help Our Lady of
Prompt Succor monthly for a year. Then three parishes in upstate
New York pledged an initial $75,000 and adopted many of Father
Digal's parishioners, person-to-person and family-to-family,
in spiritual and emotional partnerships.
"All
the things that are happening are like rosary beads," explained
Father Digal. "Who would have ever thought a youth group
from Illinois would think of us? What they did becomes a prayer.
It's like rosary beads. It affects us. It becomes a special attachment
to God, to the Mother of God, and to people."
Another
patron paid for 900 new folding chairs for worshipers because
Katrina wiped out all the pews. After Mass in which he mentioned
these partnerships, a couple visiting from Chicago surprised
him by offering their services and assistance for the parish
school. A Knight brought 500 bags of notebooks and pencils that
were ready when the school reopened in March - the only Catholic
school holding classes in the entire region.
"Many
inspiring, very wonderful connections make the world so beautiful
because of what's happening." Father Digal observed. "I
always try to be positive because there is so much beauty, so
much goodness around us."
All the
demands have actually energized Father Digal."My desire
to serve the Church increases," he said. "I don't worry
about the burdens or responsibilities ahead of me. We will be
smaller in numbers and resources, but I believe we will be a
better community."
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