Football fans watching the Redskins play the Ravens on Saturday night saw an unusual sight. The game was delayed and then canceled because of severe weather conditions, including lightning and torrential rain. Despite the storm, the Washington area has endured one of its hottest and driest summers in recent memory. That is not the case in other parts of the country. Minnesota, Wisconsin and Ohio have felt the brunt of heavy rainfall in recent weeks.
Rivers and creeks in southern Ohio swelled and overflowed their banks, forcing the governor to declare states of emergency in eight counties, according to a report by Catholic News Service. Dozens of parish properties in the Toledo Diocese experienced water backing up into basements. Luckily none suffered severe structural damage. Toledo Bishop Leonard P. Blair asked Catholics to join him in prayer for the victims of recent flooding that devastated communities across the diocese.
"All throughout the 19 counties of the Diocese of Toledo, the people of God have been affected," the bishop said. "Some have had their homes damaged, their personal property destroyed, their farm fields seriously spoiled and their hearts broken."
Downtown Carey, home to Our Lady of Consolation Shrine and Basilica, was submerged under three feet of water Aug. 21 and the basements flooded in the basilica, friary, cafeteria and the original shrine church, where gift-shop inventory was stored.
Most of the water receded the next day, but the cafeteria basement was without electricity and still had three inches of water in it two days later. Many parishioners and pilgrims called to offer help with cleanup, according to administrative assistant Donna Johnson.
Ironically, farmers prayed for rain earlier this summer when much of Ohio experienced drought conditions. More than nine inches of rain fell in Upper Sandusky in a 24-hour period Aug. 20. Father Kent Kaufman, pastor of Transfiguration of the Lord Parish, recalled that the same thing happened years ago when the region was facing a drought. First Catholics were praying for rain, then the Lutherans joined in and finally everyone was praying for rain. Then, as now, rain flooded the area. "I think it's a backlog of prayers for rain," said Father Kaufman. "I learned from a wise old farmer that you don't pray for rain, you pray for favorable weather."
Catholic Charities USA's Disaster Response Office has sent Catholic Charities of La Crosse, Wis., and Catholic Charities of Winona, Minn., $10,000 grants to help the agencies meet immediate needs such as gas, food, clothing and cleaning supplies.
"Catholic Charities USA is also working with other Catholic Charities in the Midwest to assess their needs and will make additional grants available as necessary," said Kim Burgo, the agency’s director of disaster response.
Catholic Charities USA has been commissioned by the U.S. Catholic bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster. The agency responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Its Disaster Response Office connects the Church's social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation.
To contribute to Catholic Charities USA call 800/919-9338 or visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org. Send checks to: Catholic Charities USA, General Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 7068, Merrifield, Va., 22116-7068. Catholic Charities USA is unable to accept contributions of food, clothing, blankets and other relief supplies. Its federal ID number is 53-0196620. — M.F.F.

(c) Copyright 2007 by Arlington Catholic Herald