Catholics here aiding storm victims

As President Clinton declared the northern counties of New York State a federal disaster area, Catholics from the Albany Diocese pitched in to bring needed relief to their neighbors.

The Northern Points Cluster of the Albany Diocese -- made up of St. John the Baptist in Chestertown, Blessed Sacrament in Hague, and St. James in North Creek -- delivered a pickup truck full of needed items to shelters in Malone.

In addition, all parishes in the Diocese were asked to participate in a second collection, being administered by Albany diocesan Catholic Charities, that will benefit Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties. They are located in the Ogdensburg Diocese, which was once part of the Albany Diocese.

On scene

Rev. Anthony Diacetis, pastor of Our Lady of Grace parish in Ballston Lake, experienced the disaster first-hand. A member of the National Guard, he served in Jefferson County for five days last week.

"Pictures on CNN or newspaper accounts don't give it justice," Father Diacetis told The Evangelist. "It's total devastation. There is not one tree that is unaffected; the pine trees are topped. There's not one telephone pole standing. It is incredible destruction."

While people are anxious to have electrical power restored, many face even more challenges once they have returned home from the temporary shelters. "Once the power is turned on, the pipes burst," Father Diacetis explained. "The meat is spoiled. There is fear of homes being looted."

Troubles

The use of kerosene generators and coal to heat homes has caused sickness and death, the priest said. Other challenges include dairy farmers trying to milk all of their cows so that they don't die, and communicating with family members since downed phone lines makes communication nearly impossible.

Despite the problems, Father Diacetis was impressed by the people he met.

"There was tremendous human response," he said. He pointed out that emergency medical technicians came from as far away as Ohio to help; Niagara Mohawk employees worked 24 hours a day to restore power; and the National Guard has provided much needed support.

Helping out

Rev. Joseph O'Brien, administrator of the Northern Points Cluster, was impressed with the generosity of Catholics there. He said the collection of needed personal items was the idea of parishioners, who also orchestrated the project.

"The parishioners came up with the idea and then discussed it at our cluster meeting," he said. "They were really conscious that people up there were going without."

A phone tree was established in all three parishes so that people could be informed of the collection and bring the needed items to church last weekend. Given the devastation, parishioners didn't want to let a week go by before they could be of service, Father O'Brien said.

"It's a good cluster story," he said. "It's a story of people cooperating and being conscious of the needs of others. It fit in with [Sunday's] Gospel -- generosity and love being expressed to others."

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