Nuns' Build 2009
Ten Dominican Congregations Join Building Project in New Orleans

ST. BERNARD PARISH, LA -- September 11, 2009 --Sisters from ten Dominican congregations will be installing drywall, plastering, painting and engaged in other labors of love in one of the most devastated areas of New Orleans, St. Bernard Parish.

Nuns' Build 2009, is a project that rebuilds the lives of Katrina survivors, "family by family". From October 5-9, 2009, Catholic sisters from across the country will congregate in New Orleans to volunteer with the St. Bernard Project and help return families to their homes.

St Bernard civil parish was completely flooded out by the 2005 hurricane. The St. Bernard Project is an ongoing effort to rebuild homes and return the area to health.

Sr. Mary Keefe, OP (Adrian), who is coordinating the Nuns' Build Project, said, ""The area of St. Bernard civil parish flooded 100 percent as a result of Hurricane Katrina. During the last year and a half that I have been here, I have seen over and over again the courage and faith of the people here. I know that the Dominican presence will lift their spirits even more, because they know they are not alone or forgotten."

Sr. Mary ministers in house to house visiting in the eastern part of St. Bernard Catholic Church and Our Lady of Lourdes Church. It is an ongoing project to meet basic needs and offer support.

St. Bernard Project uses up to 250 volunteers a day to completely rebuild families' homes. Volunteers are trained by skilled supervisors to install drywall, plaster walls, paint and install floors. Any age or skill level can contribute.

Nuns' Build 2009 will bring sisters from a number of congregations to New Orleans including Franciscans, Ursulines, Cabrini Sisters and the Religious of the Sacred Heart. Dominican congregations include: Adrian, Amityville, Blauvelt, Hope, Mission San Jose, Peace, San Rafael, Springfield, Sinsinawa and Tacoma.

You can support this project by sending donations for gift cards from Home Depot, Walgreens and WinnDixie. DEADLINE FOR DONATIONS: October 9th. Sr. Mary will be grateful for your support now and any time during the year.

DONATE TODAY. Gift cards from Home Depot, Walgreens and Winn Dixie will be distributed to families in the area.

Checks payable to
Sr. Mary Keefe, OP
837 Short Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
(memo: OP gift cards)

Here is a list of participating Dominican Sisters:

Adrian: Fran Lombaer , OP, Ginny King, OP,  Lenore Boivin, OP,  Jeanine Boivin, OP, Grace Dougherty, oP, Catherine McKillop, OP, Margaret Lane, OP, Joan Mary, OP, Jean Keeley, OP,  Carol Elya, OP, Eileen Meyers, OP, Katie McGrail, OP, Eunice Drazba, OP and Gerry Megel, OP.
Amityville: Diane Morgan, OP and Joan Donovan, OP
Blauvelt: Didi  Madden, OP
Hope: Sharon Yount, OP
Mission San Jose: Pat Ann Smith, OP,  Mary  Perez, Mary Yan, OP
Peace: Diane Kozlowski, OP, Theresa Fox, Francine Schwarzenberger, OP, Catherine Bourgeois, OP, Denise Bourgeois, OP, Rose Bowen, OP, and Sue Bauer, OP
San Rafael: Judy Lu McDonnell, OP Colleen McDermott, OP and Lorraine Amodeo, OP
Sinsinawa: Eileen Brynda, OP
Springfield: Corde Lenn, OP, Mary Rose Schleeper, O and  Kathleen  Kenny, OP
Tacoma: Patty Morisett, OP and Agnes Huck, OP

Related Links:

Learn more about St. Bernard Project


Project founder is 2008 CNN Hero

Stats
on St. Bernard Project:

Over 220 family homes have been rebuilt since August 2006.

50 homes currently being rebuilt.

8-12 weeks to rebuild one home.

15,000 volunteers from around the world have participated.