The Presentation Sisters' Collaborative Ministry

In 2004, the Presentation Congregations in North America decided to begin a collaborative ministry project. The common values of living among the poor and living simply lent themselves to a collaborative ministry in New Orleans, La. The collaborative aspect of this ministry means all the congregations share funding responsibility, oversight and sisters serving in ministry there.

With over 2,200 households in the neighborhood served and an average family income of $6,743 per year, the needs in the Tulane/Gravier area are great. Due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina, the need is even greater.

After weeks spent with evacuees in Robertsdale, Ala., two hours from New Orleans, Presentation Sisters Joan White and Marie Roche (Newfoundland), Vera Butler (Union), Enid Storey (New Windsor) and Beth Driscoll (Dubuque) moved to New Orleans October 26. They are living at a retirement house owned by the Vincentian priests. This is a temporary home while their permanent home is being repaired after the hurricane.

November 26, 2005, marked the first day Mass was held in the neighborhood. There was no electricity, so they all huddled toward the front of the church, lighting the altar with a lantern from the sisters’ home. The sisters spent Thanksgiving week delivering hot meals to those in need, and served dinner in the church parking lot on Thanksgiving day.

In December the sisters sent home a letter encouraging everyone to pray for people in the area and to contact members of Congress to let them know that help is still needed in the region. Here is an excerpt of their concerns for the regions:
Electricity has not been restored in some areas of the city. People who are returning often have no place to live. The fortunate have taken refuge in shelters, while others live in the top floor of their damaged homes. Soil in specific sections of the city is toxic, making living there impossible. The city itself remains unsafe as long as the levee system stays as is - unchanged. People are grieving the loss of loved ones, some whose bodies have not been found. Stories of pain and heartache are as numerous as the people who have lost everything and need our help. Let us pray that the people of New Orleans can once more live in peace and security.

In March 2006 Aberdeen Presentation Sister Janice Klein visited the ministry and found much of the area still devastated by the hurricane. People who are able are trying to rebuild, others have not been able to return yet. However, the collaborative ministry is in full swing, delivering meals, seeing to the needs of their neighbors and bringing the love of God to those in need.

Read about Presentation Sister Vera Butler (Union) who recently was awarded the Lumen Christi Award by Catholic Extension.
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If would like to know more about the needs of this ministry and how you can help, please email: psdev@presentationsisters.org.