About this time four years ago, life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was business as usual. Tourist on the beach, gamblers in the casino’s and coast residents were going about the daily grind. Starting in the early morning hours of August 29^th, 2005, life as we knew it changed forever. It was not only our lives that changed that day, but the landscape along the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast changed as well.

The first wave of support came in the days immediately after the storm in the form of food, water and shelter, the basic necessities for life. The next wave of support started pouring in the months following Hurricane Katrina and continues to this day. That is the VOLUNTEEERS! Volunteers came from, not only across the United States, but internationally. I have always said “If it was not for the volunteers that give their time and skill, we as Mississippians would not be as for along in our recovery as we are today”. Thank you!

To mark the 4^th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Diocesan Office of Long Term Recovery had several home blessing. The first was on August 28^th. The Wroten family home suffered heavy damage because of Hurricane Katrina. As a result of the damage, DOLTR had to rebuild the Wroten family residence in Moss Point, MS. Volunteers put in 900 hours of their time and skill into rebuilding the home. The volunteers were from St. Aloysius, Hickory, NC and “In His Foot Steps” from Jonesboro, AK. The DOLTR team was in attendance along with Mr. Wroten’s pastor, who participated the blessing of the home.

The other two home blessings took place on August 31^st in Lucedale, MS. The DOLTR Team packed up and set out for the home blessings a little earlier that morning. Mrs. Jack was living in a mobile home at the time of the storm; it also sustained major damage. DOLTR was contacted by El Paso Gas Company in Picayune, MS who wanted to donate a few mobile homes to Katrina survivors. Mrs. Jack was a recipient of one. Mike Roberts and representatives of El Paso Gas Company made the trip to participate in the home blessing ceremony. It was standing room only in the home. Mrs. Jack had family and friends in attendance to be apart of this wonderful occasion. There were five generations of the family on hand.

The third home blessing was that of Mrs. Long. Her home had to be completely demolished as result of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. The family home was replaced with a mobile home. Mrs. Long and her two sons could not have been happier that day.

Representatives form the City of Lucedale, Mrs. Cathy Johnson and Mr. Frank Johnson attended both of the home blessings on Monday. The city was most helpful in facilitating the recovery of these clients. Mrs. Johnson shared the importance of community and people helping people at both locations.  

There is a considerable amount of reflection during this time year by many people that live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, with most people recalling the immensity of the destruction that occurred on that fateful day. But this year, DOLTR reflected on the many clients we are still able to assist in their recovery from Hurricane Katrina.