Many families were already struggling economically before a powerful flash flood swamped towns in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Kentucky the night of July 28. Catholic Extension Society has and continues to support the Catholic Church as it helps communities where poverty is endemic and where less than one percent of the population is Catholic.
On top of mourning the 43 people who died, the community is reeling from the sudden loss of their homes and possessions and the Catholic Church remains in solidarity with them.
The trauma remains fresh.
The home of Patricia and Bill, a couple living in the region, was nearly submerged—the floodwaters rushed away their luggage, food and clothing. They were to leave for vacation that morning. She and her neighbors retrieved a canoe and kayak from a garage. They went to a home-bound neighbor, water up to her neck who had resigned herself to drowning. They pulled her and her oxygen tank out a window.
Another neighbor evacuated 11 elderly residents from two homes by breaking down its doors.
Catholic Extension Society has supported these parishes in the Diocese of Lexington for decades and was also able to support their emergency outreach efforts in the wake of the flooding. Though small in numbers and with few resources, these mission parishes have every intention of walking with the hurting families on the long road to recovery.
Visible Catholic presence in times of disaster
The Catholic Church is one of the most capable and reliable institutions in times of disaster. The Church, with Extension help, has long served faith communities impacted by floods, hurricanes and other natural disasters by responding to their humanitarian and pastoral needs. When the flood hit eastern Kentucky, its victims turned to the Catholic Church for help.
Bishop John Stowe of Lexington made a statement following the flood:
Our parishes are doing all they can to support their neighbors.”
Lori and Dan Helfrichs’ ministry at Mother of Good Counsel Parish in Hazard, Kentucky, are among those doing all they can. The lay couple, whose parish positions are funded by Catholic Extension Society, are operating a food pantry and helping people find housing.
Through it all, the Helfrichs demonstrate a willingness to help anyone. They are inviting people to do laundry at their parish. Some are temporarily residing there while they find more permanent shelter. People are finding continuity, security and constancy at Mother of Good Counsel.
Missy, a parishioner, said about Lori Helfrich,
She knew what people are crying in their pillows about.”
Missy (right)
Missionaries of Charity, who serve the Extension-supported St. George Church in Jenkins, remind us that aid also comes in the form of comfort. They carry on the mission of their foundress, Mother Teresa, in serving the “poorest of the poor.” They spend their days visiting families, the elderly or the disabled, bringing lifesaving supplies to help people get by.
Chastity, a mother of four boys, is living in a motor home after her house, tucked on the hills, completely flooded. The family barely escaped with their lives. But these Missionaries, who build relationships in the community, are offering support to families like Chastity’s.
“We always have hope,” said Chastity of her family. “[My] kids just went back to school and their lives are inching towards normal.”
Like many Jenkins residents, Chastity needs to recover everything damaged in her home—flooring, insulation, and an exhaustive list of additional repairs. She has been fighting to get a response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after she applied to receive financial assistance for her home.
In the community of Oneida in Manchester, Kentucky, a team of volunteers at St. Ann’s Mission became a lifeline to residents. The flood decimated 220 homes, overturned 18-wheelers and washed out bridges in this small town. A Catholic Extension Society emergency grant swiftly provided essential aid to the parish in the form of food, shelter, clothing and even trauma counseling.
One Oneida resident expressed gratitude for the dedicated volunteers at the church:
It’s like Christ, walking among us.”
Catholic Extension Society will continue to help the Church in Appalachia respond to the needs of their community
Please donate today to help communities in Appalachia.
