This Christmas will not be the same for many people in western Kentucky who were devastated by massive tornadoes earlier this month.
Many are displaced from their homes, and water remains a scarce commodity.
But amid the felled buildings and endless mounds of debris piling up—there is still Christmas hope.
On the ground in Mayfield
The Catholic Church has been on the frontlines of this disaster ever since the tornadoes struck on December 10.
The Diocese of Owensboro has turned its pastoral center into a call center fielding requests for aid.
People instinctively know that if you need help, the Catholics—who are a minority in Kentucky—stand ready to do whatever they can.
People of all cultural and religious backgrounds are welcomed at the four relief centers operated by the Catholic Church in the hardest hit communities.
This includes Mayfield, Kentucky, whose downtown district was destroyed beyond recognition.
St. Joseph’s Parish is located in the midst of the worst destruction and is operating a relief center. The parishioners know that it’s not enough to just run a relief center—which is already bustling with activity at all hours of the day.
Parishioners like Freddy Gonzalez, who has called Mayfield home for the past 20 years, have banded together a group of volunteers to go door to door, assessing peoples’ needs.
Every time Freddy goes out he comes back empty handed, having distributed everything he could. Freddy is missing work to perform this service and doesn’t plan to quite anytime soon.
He said,
This church is my house, and these people are my community.”
Freddy has reason to be thankful. His brother, Rico, nearly died after the vehicle he was driving was picked up and thrown by the tornado and its windshield impaled by a light pole. Rico was badly concussed but thankfully alive and now volunteers with Freddy to help others less fortunate.
The parish continues to receive truckloads full of food and clothing that they’ve used to help thousands to date.
But, what they really need now is cash to be able to give people gift cards for the things they need most.
A common need is fresh fruits and vegetables which are critical in this community where diabetes is rampant and nonperishable food donations tend not to be dietarily appropriate for this population.
The Catholic Church has made it clear: they are in this for the long haul. They plan to accompany their people as they begin the long process of putting their lives back together.
Everyone volunteering in the disaster zone agrees that by doing this, they are putting their faith into action, which means they are not letting up.
It is our privilege at Catholic Extension Society to support these people on the ground as they showcase the Church at her best.
A makeshift Christmas Mass
Meanwhile, this Christmas Eve at Resurrection Parish in Dawson Springs, Kentucky, Mass will be different. Their church (built with support of Catholic Extension Society in 1970) was blown apart.
But the living stones of the church, namely its people, remain standing.
Bishop Medley will celebrate Christmas Eve Mass in a small outdoor shed being offered by a parishioner.
It will be like the first Christmas. Perhaps a little drafty and uncomfortable, but Christ will be present nonetheless.
In another similarity to the first celebration of Christ’s birth, which was attended by the poor shepherds, many of the people gathering for Mass in the shed in Dawson Springs will be parishioners who have lost homes and possessions.
Donnie Miller, who is hosting the Mass and set up the makeshift sanctuary, said:
We are just trying to keep the heartbeat going of the Church.”
Although the physical church is knocked down, the spirit of the church pulses strongly through the hearts of these suffering people.
Please consider a donation to help the Church offer relief and hope to these devastated communities of western Kentucky this Christmas season.
