Nassau parish 'adopts' Mississippi family

Catholics at St. Mary's Church in Nassau have adopted a family in Mississippi and pledged to support them as they recover from Hurricane Katrina.

Dom and Annie Devaney initiated the process by calling the Diocese of Biloxi to "reach out as a faith community of Christians," Mr. Devaney told The Evangelist.

St. Mary's in Nassau was linked with the Husley family from St. Mary's parish in Biloxi. They had lost everything in the storm, including a relative. The Husleys are David and Yvonne, and their 12-year-old son, Jack.

Losses

Mr. Devaney said that the family lost their home, which was flooded to the attic rafters.

"They had been forced into the attic by rapidly rising water," he said. "The husband's brother, Francis, an amputee, was staying with the family and drowned while they were waiting to be rescued. David is a disabled Navy veteran and couldn't hold his brother's head above water long enough to save him."

Once rescued, the Husleys went to Gulfport, Miss., to stay with Yvonne's sister.

"Yvonne and their son Jack, who is an altar server at St. Mary's, prayed the Rosary continually until the family was rescued," Mr. Devaney said. "The first thing they asked for from us was a family Bible, as theirs had been destroyed by the floodwaters."

Offering aid

The Nassau Catholics also found out the Husleys' other needs.

"The Husleys were hesitant at first to accept any help," Mr. Devaney said. "They said they didn't know us and did not want to be beholden to anyone. But we convinced them that our intentions were pure, and we were offering assistance as a gift, out of Christian service. They finally admitted that they could use some money, so we sent some to them.

"The wife is fortunate that she still has her job. She is the main breadwinner, and it will obviously take them a very long time to get back on their feet, find a place to live, get their lives back to normal."

Help from Nassau

A parish-wide collection and weekend pledge campaign in the Nassau parish netted $1,715 in cash and pledges of $6,140. The family has received two checks from the parish to get them started in their recovery process.

Parishioners will send checks monthly to match the Husleys' fluctuating financial needs.

"They will eventually need to find a place to live and then buy another car," Mr. Devaney said. "We want them to rest assured that others care what happens to them and that they are not alone. This family has been devastated, not only with the loss of everything they had, but also with the death of their [relative].

"But they are hope-filled. That message came across in our phone conversations with them. Mrs. Husley told us that they know they didn't suffer the worst of Hurricane Katrina and that some others are much worse off than they are.

"We believe that living the Gospel values is part of our responsibility as Catholics. This is what we've been directed to do: help our brothers and sisters."

Said Rev. Antone Kandrac, OFM Conv., pastor of St. Mary's in Nassau: "As Christians, it is our duty to try to live the Gospel directive to help the suffering, in this case, those victimized by the effects of Hurricane Katrina. To see our parishioners living that Franciscan charism is wonderful indeed."

(10/20/05) [[In-content Ad]]