I am at a juncture where I am facing crises of sorts in several dimensions of my life--nothing dire, but huge decisions that need more brain-power and heart than I seem to be able to muster. (Probably because they affect so many different aspects of life.) If you would remember particularly in your prayers a need for discernment in at least three modes--vocational, career, and home life, I would greatly appreciate it.
It seems as though the people along the water in Texas may have a visitor. These things are by no means certain, but let's pray that the visit be not so bad as our recent landfalls.
I hope that I am not breaching any confidence in sharing these communications, but there may be some of my Carmelite brothers and sisters who are not receiving these messages, and I think it is important to stress the urgent need for prayer for this Carmel, but for all of the people affected. I know you all know it, but this makes it family for me and I feel the need to share the burden. This is very, very hard.
From Sr. Andree of the New Orleans O. Carm Community
I am a distance from the devastation in New Orleans and am fine, Kevin. Yes, our motherhouse is underwater at lowest two levels. Angele and Gwen stayed there during the storm and were rescued by boat yesterday and shuttled to various transportation spots until they got to Baton Rouge where we picked them up yesterday. No one had heard from them all during the days so we weren't sure where they were. They were exhausted and in post traumatic shock with stories eventually to tell! Several sisters have not yet been contacted, but phones are great difficulty. Two of them are probably at the hospitals where they were working. They are probably safe. One sister we are not sure of. No one knew her plan. She could be fine somewhere, but communication is impossible. That is our hope.
My immediate family---siblings and their children's families are accounted for in terms of their plans for early evacuation, but still not able to get contact with all. They all lost all---their homes were near the motherhouse, near the lakefront where the levees broke and inundated the area. Total losses of all but their lives! It will be difficult months ahead.
All of our elderly sisters in nursing homes or in motherhouse were moved early and though they spent days in a school gym, we have now found a nursing home that could take them in Texas.
Loss of schools and ministries will have powerful impact on our future and its adjustments as a Congregation.
Pray for our perseverance and courage. Thanks for your concern.
From the governing body in this province for T.O. Carm, please pray.
The first item is regarding the Carmelite Sisters in the New Orleans area of Louisiana. Sr. Libby and Sr. Mary (OCarms in the Lay Carmelite Office here in Darien) have asked me to share with you part of a message they are sending to friends and family.
"We haven't really been able to get first hand communication about the sisters in Louisiana. It looks as though mostly all of them left the area ahead of time, or, if they stayed behind, that they are safe. We do know of one sister who can't be located. No one knows anything of where she might be.
Television talks about the breach in the 17th Street Canal (just a few short blocks from our Motherhouse) but we are not able to tell by the TV images whether or not our Motherhouse and school have been destroyed. Perhaps when the water is contained and they continue showing videos of the area, we will have a better idea of our situation. Even our sisters who are in Louisiana (those who left the New Orleans area, I mean) don't really know a lot of what we see on TV regarding the flooding and devastation. "
Please keep in prayer all those, esp the poor (of which are are many in Louisiana!). It has been "our "tsunami" as one person put it. Massive and deep flooding is the primary disaster The area is below sea level, so widespread flooding damage from the broken levees are the worst nightmare in the New Orleans area after the storm had long gone!
