Members Rebuild Flood-Damaged Homes in Louisiana

The Federal Association's effort to help the "forgotten people" of Louisiana continued this past March. Some 20 members, family, and friends of the Order, representing all three U.S. associations, worked to repair the damaged homes of two needy families near Lafayette, LA.

 

Gathering for dinner the first night, we received a briefing on the homeowners and the work from our partners, Catholic Charities of Lafayette and Rebuilding Together Acadiana.

 

The next day began with Mass at the beautiful and historic Saint Martin de Tours Church in St. Martinville, celebrated by the Rev. Brian Harrington, Lafayette chaplain. Afterward, it was off to work in the towns of Duson and New Iberia.

 

The volunteers worked on two homes, owned by aging couples of limited means who were experiencing significant and debilitating health problems. Both houses had sustained extensive damage from flooding in August of 2016.

 

Our volunteers installed flooring, kitchen cabinets, and drywall, repaired exterior fascia and soffit, painted, and landscaped.

 

One day after work the volunteers attended Mass at St. John's Cathedral. After Mass, Bishop J. Douglas Deshotel warmly greeted the volunteers and thanked them for their service to the poor in his diocese. That night, Lafayette hospitaller Marla David and her husband Paul graciously welcomed the volunteers to dinner at their home.

 

This is the 13th year that the Federal Association and Rebuilding Together have combined to help poor homeowners in Louisiana, who would otherwise be "forgotten people."