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Sisters Participate in November Nuns' Build

On Nov. 14-18, 2011, Sisters Pat Marie Bernard, Mary Fran Davisson and Joyce Richter took part in the St. Bernard Project’s Nuns’ Build in New Orleans, La., assisting with the restoration of homes destroyed six years ago during Hurricane Katrina. The three Sisters of Charity stayed at the SC Federation’s House of Charity, an intentional community that offers visitors the opportunity to experience the Charity charism. Their reflections follow:

The November 2011 Nuns’ Build in New Orleans, La., was a blessed experience in every way.

• To arrive and stay at the House of Charity amid so many other unknowns was comforting – along with the great hospitality of Sisters Monica Gundler, SC, Renee Rose, DC, and Claire Regan, SC-NY;
• Living and working with the Halifax, Nova Scotia, New York, Cincinnati and Nazareth, Ky., Sisters – 16 in all – was a real joy, and included Community prayer and evening reflection, plus New Orleans side trips and great laughter during card games;
• Learning new skills applicable to rehabbing a home drastically affected by Hurricane Katrina included preparing “mud” (a sort of plaster mix) and applying this to screw/nail holes, corner seams and window edging; drywall application to window frames and walls; as well as rasping, sanding, sweeping, and insulation application. The majority of us had never done any of these procedures before, and obviously had good site trainer/supervisors in Megan and Eddie;
• We began to understand the struggles and sufferings and the joys and hopes of the people of New Orleans. While Hurricane Katrina brought out the worst in some people (fraudulent contractors), it also brought out the very best in so many. We experienced a deep appreciation from those we met for our assistance with the reconstruction;
• Approximately 90 Sisters, Associates, friends and relatives were part of the November 2011 team. The prayers and love from our Charity Family that accompanied us meant so much – along with the $850 gift collected for the St. Bernard Project, which was gratefully received;
• We arrived home a “happy tired,” and encourage others to try this venture.

 

 

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