LEXINGTON, Ky. — In latest weeks, Father Bob Damron has spent his time driving down winding jap Kentucky roads, stopping by anybody he sees cleansing up mud and flood particles to supply each religious and bodily help — a shoulder to cry on and a shovel to assist dig.
“I’ve been visiting folks, letting them cry on my shoulder, and I allow them to inform their story of the flood — what they skilled, what they did — and simply being with the folks listening to their tales, crying with them, and speaking with them. After which, in fact, you get your shovel out, and also you begin shoveling mud and do no matter is required,” Father Damron informed The Pill.
Father Damron is a retired priest within the Diocese of Lexington. He’s a lifelong resident of jap Kentucky and subsequently has skilled many floods, however nonetheless stated his “coronary heart broke” with the most recent storms due to the historic lack of life.
Within the aftermath of the destruction, Father Damron stated he hopes his visits with those that have been affected most give them hope that they’ll rebuild and reassurance that God continues to be with them.
“To hearken to their tales signifies that their tales, what they skilled, have worth, and that’s necessary for folks to listen to, that God has not deserted them, that God is correct right here within the midst of all of this devastation,” Father Damron stated. “That we have to have that religion that sure, it’s going to take years to rebuild, however we’ve been by means of this earlier than as mountain folks, and we’re survivors, and we are going to survive.”
Father Damron is only one instance of the best way jap Kentucky Catholic communities, the Diocese of Lexington as an entire, and other people nationwide have stepped as much as assist these impacted by the flooding. Up to now, Catholic Charities of Lexington has acquired over $670,000 in donations, which doesn’t embrace a latest second assortment at Mass.
They’ve additionally gotten about $250,000 from Catholic Charities USA. Even at an area degree, donations have poured in. Kirsten Thorstad, the interim parish life director at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Jackson, informed The Pill that they’ve acquired over $20,000 in donations from the Jackson group and close by Campton. The cash goes instantly right into a flood aid account and is used to order important objects folks want, she stated.
Already, the basement of the small church that solely sees 6-10 parishioners each week is stocked with diapers and different child provides, blankets, towels, non-perishable meals, boots, gloves, hygiene provides, garments, sleeping luggage, and extra for folks to come back and get at their comfort. Thorstad and volunteers additionally make meals obtainable, and within the parking zone, there’s a Catholic Charities USA laundry truck arrange for folks to make use of.
Although lower than 1% of the native popula- tion is Catholic, Thorstad emphasised the significance of the Church caring for your entire group. “It’s not concerning the folks within the church constructing,” Thorstad stated. “We’re all youngsters of God, and a parish is anybody in your space, so the true Catholic that means is to serve all folks in your space.”
Thorstad stated the largest wants proper now are monetary help and assessing options for individuals who have now had houses destroyed by floods for 2 consecutive years. She famous the significance of serving to folks discern “the place they will reside safely in a sus- tainable home.”
“I believe final 12 months most have been at some extent the place they have been going to remain right here and lift the inspiration in the event that they acquired the funds, however now I’m listening to from individuals who don’t wish to be close to a water supply,” she stated.
To that finish, Catholic Charities Lexington is now shifting to a long-term restoration response to assist folks make these selections. Meg Campos, the chief director of Catholic Charities of Lexington, informed The Pill that they’re bringing in case managers to information and assist flood victims perceive their choices. The group can be wanting to usher in counselors to sure areas to satisfy folks’s emotional wants, she stated.
To proceed serving to with short-term wants, they’ve began giving out reward playing cards to these affected to allow them to buy objects they want. “In the end, it’s about serving to folks rebuild their lives,” Campos stated.