Tony Nkhoma, from Zambia, Africa, a novice at the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Novitiate in Godfrey, rode his bike from the novitiate on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River to check out the flooding on the Great River Road below. In August he and the six other novices will make their first vows at Our Lady of the Snows in Belleville.
Only one church suffered damage due to flooding on the Mississippi River, and Catholic Charities in the Springfield diocese is prepared and doing all it can to assist flood victims in the diocese along the Mississippi and Wabash rivers.
St. Patrick Church and rectory in Grafton came through the recent flooding on the Mississippi River dry and intact, with the exception of the church restroom and a small storage room that did suffer some damage. Father Patrick Gibbons, parochial administrator, said weekend liturgies at St. Patrick will resume Saturday at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m.
"Water had gotten up to the step into the sacristy door entrance, and neighborhood kids were fishing nearby," said Father Gibbons. St. Patrick Parish Hall, which is on a lower base than the church, had three feet of water inside, but everything that could be had been removed from the hall prior to the flooding, and the church property has flood insurance.
Catholic Charities' immediate response to the flooding on the Mississippi and Wabash rivers was to give additional money to the food pantries of Catholic Charities area offices in Madison County, Quincy and Mattoon.
"So far, what we've gotten have been requests for food," said Mike Sakolsky, director of operations for Catholic Charities. "Once the dust settles, and we know what the damages are, if we have the resources, we generally help whomever we can. When people come to us with other issues, we will respond as an organization, or we know where to turn to help them with assistance agencies."
Barge traffic on the Mississippi River under the Kansas City Southern Railway Bridge resumed July 5, after being shut down since June 19. At one point only 17 inches from the water, the railroad bridge is a little over a mile south of the U.S. 54 Champ Clark Bridge at Louisiana, Mo.
Many people who live along the flooded Great River Road, north of Alton, were finally allowed back in their homes over the Fourth of July weekend. The extent of their needs has yet to be known, said Maureen Robinson, area director of Madison County Catholic Charities.
"The Great River Road north of Grafton just opened today (July 8). People don't know how much they've lost. We're willing to do a mobile food bank if we need it. We're prepared, ready and waiting. In our resale shop we've held back household goods from resale that we think flood victims might need."
Sandy Clark, area director of Catholic Charities of Coles, Douglas and Edgar Counties, in the last couple of weeks has already seen victims who do know what they've lost. "We're trying to help them get back on their feet," she said.
Catholic Charities resale stores sell items at low cost, but in emergency situations the agency gives out vouchers for household items, clothing and furniture available in their stores. The vouchers allow those in need to receive items free of charge.
"We evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis, and whether or not we have donations available," said Steve Roach, Catholic Charities executive director. "Last year we served 29,000 people through our voucher assistance program."
People interested in making a donation to help Catholic Charities in its flood relief effort can contact their local Catholic Charities office, to inquire what specific items are needed. Monetary donations are also welcome.
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