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November Nun's Build A Success

On Nov. 15, 2010, five Sisters of Charity and one SC Associate arrived in New Orleans, La., to take part in the St. Bernard Project’s November Nuns’ Build. With approximately 80 women religious from all over the country, the women offered their time and their talents to help with the continued rebuilding efforts of the city – more than five years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

During their stay Sisters Lois Jean Goettke, Paula Gonzalez, Ann Hunt, Joyce Richter, Winnie Brubach and Associate Elaine Krotine painted, caulked, hung insulation and drywall, mudded, sanded, swept floors and helped a family move into their completed home.

“What a memorable experience!” S. Joyce Richter exclaimed. “To come into a house that was gutted, and then to spend the week installing the insulation and hanging the drywall was exciting and rewarding; the gutted house was quickly becoming a home!”

“The manual labor was rewarding,” added S. Lois Jean Goettke. “As I worked I tried to remember the person who was waiting to move in and finally come home. For one couple, my team helped empty the Pods into their newly remodeled home. The items were moldy and mildewed but as we moved, Dominique would stop to tell a story about each item. At the end she wanted us to sing together. Needless to say, I shed a few tears.” 

The Cincinnati group stayed at the SC Federation House of Charity in New Orleans, home to S. Monica Gundler, S. Claire Regan, NY, and S. Renee Rose, DC. Along with eight other Sisters of Charity from Nazareth, Ky., and Halifax, Nova Scotia, they prayed together in the mornings, and in the evenings, enjoyed meals and relaxed.

“Nuns’ Build was a memorable experience,” S. Paula Gonzalez said. “Our ‘forming community’ with the other Federation Sisters of Charity – which occurred almost immediately – was truly inspiring.”

“I hope others will join the mission that St. Bernard Project is about,” concluded S. Lois Jean. “Age really isn’t a factor; if you can sweep and clean paint brushes, I say give it a try!”

To learn more about the New Orleans House of Charity, and to take a virtual tour, visit www.srcharitycinti.org/vowed/news.htm. For more information about the St. Bernard Project, visit www.stbernardproject.org and go to the “Rebuilding Program” section under the “ Our Programs” tab.

 

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