The Christine Mueller Memorial Drive, UPDATE 1

About this time last month, I posted info on the efforts C was taking to get St. Ann's school, in Metairie, Louisiana, back on their feet.

A few weeks back now (1.10), a truckload of items were delivered to the school...YEAH! This is just the first truck...more to come.

This past Friday, John and his wife Carol, members of the St. Ray's Hurricane Relief Committee, held a dinner party at their house in honor of St. Ann's Pastor, Fr. Michael Schneller. He flew into town to meet the good folks of St. Ray's that have come together to help St. Ann's. It was so nice to meet him and to hear about how they are coping first hand. What great faith he has in getting his parish through this difficult time.

The dinner party was attended by about 25 peeps that are all part of the relief committee. It was great and inspiring to hear how others on the committee are giving their own time to help negotiate contracts for new text books, bookcases, desks etc. These people are so giving...spending their free time helping others in need.

Before dinner, we had a chance to chat with our Pastor Fr. Bernie. He asked how we are and chatted a bit about things...getting through tough times. After Fr. Michael said grace, John noted that it has been a great thing that St. Ray's faith community has gotten to know Fr. Michael and the St. Ann's parish, but it's sad that it took a disaster to bring the communities together. But it is so nice to see that there are good people in these faith communities that are willing to help the relief cause.

At dinner we sat and chatted with a couple that had taken their son to the same day care we took Christine. We recognized them, but did not know them well. We found out we have a lot in common. They too are both grads of Illinois and so we chatted about the days back in the 80's in good old C-U. Was nice to hear how they are helping keep the finances rolling for the relief effort. She is also writing grant application to companies soliciting $$ for the effort.

C was hesitant to attend the gathering, but I'm sure she's glad we went. Fr. Michael is so grateful and humbled by the support from her and those at St. Ray's. Truly amazing!!

At mass the next evening, Fr. Michael gave the homily and did an amazing job of weaving the meaning of the Gospel to the new relationship between St. Ray's and St. Ann's. He spoke of God's people becoming disciples to follow Jesus and that the journey St. Ann's is experiencing, with the help of St. Ray's disciples, is a marathon and not a sprint. I of course equated that marathon reference to the grief process as well. The homily spoke to me on many levels. As he spoke about St. Ray's disciples, I knew C was one of these people. Giving of her time to help others she does not know. She won't *brag* about this, but it is amazing the supplies she's getting others to *donate* to St. Ann's...so that the funding raised by St. Rays' can go to other causes. It's amazing that these contacts C has had for so many years are willing to donate their products. People are good!!