The horrifying news came in from Joplin, Missouri throughout Sunday night. A devastating tornado — the most powerful ever to touch down in Missouri — had ripped through this city of 50,000, destroying everything in its path, leaving death, injuries and flattened buildings.
Fr. Bobby Hall, Vicar of St. George's Anglican Church in Bentonville, Arkansas, along with his wife Patricia, made their way to Joplin to give whatever assistance they could. Fr. Hall sent this account:
Fr. Phillips:
Patricia and I have just returned from Joplin, Missouri, fortunately being able to miss the secondary hail storm that hit that devastated community late this evening. I felt we might take this opportunity to bring you up to speed on the Joplin event.
Upon learning of the disaster last night we elected to go to Joplin early this morning to offer whatever assistance we could. Patricia at one time having been the clinical coordinator of a large multi doctor clinic in Houston most certainly could offer needed administrative skills. In my past life I had been trained at Brook Medical Center as a Mass Causality Specialist so along with being a priest it was hoped that there might be some opportunity for both of us to be of service.
The forty-eight mile to Joplin this morning was an event in itself, being conducted during a driving rain storm with highway speeds down to fifteen miles an hour in some places. Coming into the area we first passed the Flying J truck stop which was in an absolute shambles with trailers and their tractors tossed like little toys stacked one upon another. As we journeyed on into the city proper the police directed us to a recovery site which was once a large Wal-mart Super Center, and just down from it the remnants of a Home Depot. A few walls were standing on the Wal-Mart and efforts were being made to locate more survivors among the debris. Cadaver dogs were being brought in to assist in the recovery. I spent some time here at the request of the police, counseling and ministering to individuals who had loved ones in both locations.
I later asked where the Disaster Operations Center was located and we were told to report to the Student Life Building on the campus of the local university. On arrival Patricia and I filled out the requisite information form, listing areas of skill and the ever-present hold-harmless liability release. We were then directed to a crowded holding area which was evidently the cafeteria. After being there for a period of time it became apparent that no one had any idea of how or when to move the people out of there on to their respective assignments, should some be assigned. By mutual agreement we both elected to return to the recovery operation.
The tornado had left a swath across the middle of the town of Joplin running from West to East leaving a trail of destruction six miles long by three quarters of a mile wide. In doing so, it effectively cut the community in half, destroying homes, churches, apartments and commercial operations which some estimates account to thirty percent of the city. The path created was absolutely level with a block wall or two standing here and there. Live power lines down all over the place. Some marked, some not. Large trees across the road with passage for a single vehicle cut through the debris. Remnants of some trees still standing, completely striped of foliage and bark. The area looked like some of the pictures one saw of bombed German cities during World War II. People were being allowed to return to what was once their homes under close police supervision. One would see a person occasionally pick up something here or there that wasn’t completely destroyed by the storm. Some simply wandered about, completely dazed, among the remnants of what had once been their home. Most of them have only the clothing that is on their person. They will be in dire need of the basis essentials of life, toilet items, underclothing, outer clothing, shoes, etc. Their basic needs of housing and food will most certainly be met by disaster teams such as the Salvation Army, Red Cross Disaster Kitchens and local churches.
On our movement through the area we were on Moffet Avenue which had been the location of Saint Mary’s Catholic parish and school. This parish had been an anchor of life for the neighborhood for many years, having relocated to this location in 1959 when it outgrew its old location. Nothing is left of the church or school structures. There is only a large metal cross still starkly standing at its site. At this early point in time no one knows what steps will be taken in reference to the parish. The Bishop of Springfield is to arrive tomorrow and tour the area. Perhaps following this some more definitive plans will be made.
Right now everything in the area is in flux, with disaster units from all over the surrounding states flooding in. The main effort is recovery, with the continual prayer that more survivors may be found. Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, where I serve as a volunteer Chaplain, has been receiving patients all day as they are transferred in from St. John's in Joplin. As it is my day tomorrow to make rounds we will most probably minister to several.
The toll at Joplin to date is 116 dead, 7 recently rescued and 1,150 injured. Unfortunately, the number continues to rise in each category. Let us all keep this community in our prayers.
Here at home we were able to dodge several tornadoes last night with only high wind, heavy rain and hail. However it is looking tacky again as we speak. The TV has just flashed a severe T storm headed our way with winds at 60 mph plus with flash flooding. The fun never stops! Keep us in your thoughts also.
Bob+
This link will take you to a story from the Catholic News Service, describing the present state of the Catholic hospital and the nearby parish.
You can donate through many charitable organizations. If you wish to give through Catholic Charities USA, click on this link, or you can send your check directly to Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri, 601 S. Jefferson Avenue, Springfield, MO 65806, and make a note that the donation is for "Joplin."
(Fr. Hall and St. George's Church plan to enter the U. S. Ordinariate when it is established.)
Related posts:
Anglican-Use Catholics of Springfield MissouriStatement of TAC Bishop in Japan on TsunamiArkansas Anglican Church Declares for OrdinariateThe Church in the MarketplaceWest of the Border…
Fr. Christopher G. Phillips is the pastor of Our Lady of the Atonement Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas, where he has served for the past twenty-seven years. He is the founding pastor of the first Anglican Use parish, erected in 1983 under the terms of the Pastoral Provision. Fr. Phillips was ordained as an Anglican for the Diocese of Bristol, England, in 1975. After serving as Curate for three years at St. Stephen Southmead, he returned to the United States and served in two Episcopal parishes in the Diocese of Rhode Island. In 1981 he left the Episcopal Church and moved with his family to Texas, where he was subsequently ordained as a Catholic priest in 1983. Fr. Phillips and his wife, JoAnn, have been married for forty years. They have five children, all grown and married, and two grandchildren. 
0 comments:
Post a Comment