From a priest on the ground in NO. We pick up the story in Matairie, then he takes us with him into the city:

I stayed a few days helping, there is no power, and water came back on a few days ago. It’s rather hot and uncomfortable at night, and extremely dark there, though it is patrolled much better than in the first days after the storm. There are residents staying throughout the area, most own guns and even carry them with them through the day. I alternate between Metairie and St. Joan of Arc in LaPlace, depending on where I am at curfew time.

Yesterday I went into New Orleans and it is truly an unbelievable sight. There are still poeple making there way to the convention center to get out, and the smell is horrible. There are dead bodies in the street, which I of course prayed over, and many people do not want to leave, or are trying to leave but don’t know how to get elderly relatives all the way to the convention center.

There are walls of buildings down on top of cars, most trees are gone, boats litter the streets, and many windows blown out. Though some areas it looks like almost nothing happened. Lafayette Square is pretty treeless now, but Gallier Hall looked fine. The Fench Quarter is relatively unscathed. The beautiful trees behind the Cathdral are history for the most part, but very little damage to the area. And amidst the rublle of the Cathedral garden, the statue of Christ remains standing with armns out stretched magnificently.

In the river was a huge battleship, with about 10-12 helicopters, many fully armed, coast gaurd boats circling, an unbelievable scene. Helicopters are huge and threatening, but on camera they look like mosquitos. What is up with that?

A Fr. Finn from St. James Major was evacuated by helicopter as the water is very bad there, many people are still stuck in their homes, and even on roofs a week later. There was an alligator eating a dead man on Gentiilly Boulevard. It is a horrible place right now, but so much need for spiritual presence and support . The military and press presence in the city is phenomenal, and at times scary, especially when they arrest gangs or people at rifle point very near you. Though it is much safer now, and I of course know which areas towards which not to even venture. Especially when you see boats and rifles becoming more prominent.

I will go back into the city tomorrow and pray with more people and say Mass for some of the remaining. Perhaps try to start getting names and addresses for Catholic Charities to work with. Assuming they let me in again…. tho so far clerics with a passport and celibret in the front pocket work wonders.

Some unfortunate personal news is that my Dad passed away right after the storm, though luckily I saw him before I went into the city. Amidst the confusion I am only able to go today to find the funeral home in Lutcher and make arrangements. A funeral home in New Orleans was to have handle things. He will be cremated and was to be buried from Mater Dolorosa; we wiill probably wait until that re-opens and my family is able to return from California. Dire circumstances.

Life is changed, not ended.