Hurricane Season Prayer
“Our Father in Heaven, through the intercession of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, spare us during this hurricane season from all harm.  Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature.  We ask this through Christ Our Lord.   Amen.”
 

Please join us in Mauret Family Life Center (MFLC) for the celebration of Mass.
Tuesday – Friday at 7:30 AM
Saturday at 4:00 PM
Sunday at 7:30 AM & 10:00 AM

RECOVERY PROCESS MOVING FORWARD DESPITE WIDESPREAD DAMAGE, PROTOCOLS AND METHODOLOGIES

by Janet Marcel
July Bayou Catholic

Ida Recovery Update

ATTENTION!!!
CHURCH RESTORATION COMMITTEE MEETING TUESDAY, MAY 23^RD
6:00 P.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM

St. Charles’ Facilities Restoration Update! (April 2023)
We have recently contracted with Axe National Management LLC to change the roof of Mauret Family Life Center.  The contractor should begin working on the roof soon. 

Regarding the roof on the Church: we will receive bids on the reroofing of the church-office complex on May 25, 2023.

I have formed a committee to help advise me on the esthetics of the church interior.  The interior structure will remain the same, and this committee will be looking at colors, sound, and other minor updating.  The members of the committee are: Yvonne Weimer (Committee Chairperson), Tommy Boudreaux (Architect), Sammy Acosta, Mona Adams, Jerome Boudreaux, Carolyn Bourgeois, Dawn Breaux, Patti Knoblock, Katina Navarre, Dawn Schexnaydre, Barry Waguespack, and Helen Zeringue.  I thank the members for their generosity.  If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact me or one of the committee members. 

I thank you for your prayers and patience as we continue with these projects.  As we move forward, I will continue to update you on the progress.
                                                                Fr. Carl
RESTORATION UPDATE (February 2023)
Dear Friends,
In early January, I wrote an article in the bulletin updating you with the information I had on the restoration of our parish facilities. Recently, our architect, Tommy Boudreaux, provided me with an updated schedule on the repairs of MFLC and our Church/Office Complex. The following is a projected four phase schedule of our building repairs.
Phase I: MFLC roof replacement is currently out for bid. We hope to have a contractor by early February and start work in March. The projected completion date is May 2023.
Phase II: Church/Office structural repairs and re-roofing is projected begin in May 2023, with a completion date of August or September 2023.
Phase III: Church interior repairs and renovation is projected to begin in November 2023, with a completion date of May or June 2024.
Phase IV: After the completion of the church, we will begin planning the repairs to the roof of Keller Hall and the interior of MFLC.
Please remember that this is a projected timeline. In addition to the insurance money we received, we are also receiving Federal funding. Therefore, all of our construction documents for repairs require approval according to FEMA guidelines. This and other factors can cause some delays in the schedule.  Although it may seem like it is taking a long time to complete these repairs, please know that we are working diligently through this process for us to once again worship together in our church. As we progress and new information comes forth, I will continue to update you. I thank you for your patience and your continued prayers for the success of this massive restoration project. As always, if you have any questions or need clarification, please contact me.

In Christ, Fr. Carl

One Year Anniversary Marking Hurricane Ida

     In last weekend’s bulletin we gave an update on the progress of restoring our facilities damaged by Hurricane Ida.  Monday, August 29^th will mark one-year since we experienced one of the most powerful storms to hit our area causing significate damage.
     Reflecting on my experience during the storm I felt, as did many people, fear and uncertainty. After the storm passed and seeing the devastation it caused throughout the communities in our Diocese I wondered, as many of you also asked, how will we recover and move forward.  Because of the tenacity and strength of the people of our culture, we have seen progress this past year in our recovery.  Immediately after the storm so many people working through Catholic Charities and other charitable organizations reached out and continue to reach out to assist people who need help rebuilding their lives.  We give thanks to God for their generosity in our need. 
     Some in our area have had their damages repaired and are closer to being fully recovered, so we rejoice with them and give thanks to God.  We are also mindful of the many in our diocese who still have a long journey ahead which could take some years before they are made whole.  We can continue to reach out through our assistance and prayers. If you are still in the recovery process, we ask God for patience and perseverance. 
     As we take time to remember, we mourn our losses caused by Hurricane Ida, but, we also give thanks for the blessings we have received through the generosity and support of many people.  I also want to thank you for your generosity in whatever way you reached out to our neighbors in need, whether it was through financial support, physical work, or your prayers and emotional support.  Let us continue to pray and support each other as we move forward.
     In Christ, Fr. Carl

 

CHURCH RESTORATION UPDATE PLAN (August 2022)
From: Fr. Carl; Tommy Boudreaux (Architect); Yvonne Weimer (Council President)
     
       Unfortunately, the road to having our church restored is going much slower than anticipated.  Funding of our church restoration is a combination of Catholic Mutual Insurance and FEMA.  Because FEMA is part of the necessary funding in order to make the churches and schools whole again, all restorations throughout the diocese are dependent on FEMA guidelines and timeframes.
       We are all frustrated with the length of time that we have been out of our church.  We thank all of you for the patience and commitment that you have shown as dedicated parishioners throughout this ongoing process.  As we approach the anniversary of Ida, it is even more difficult to remain patient throughout this process.
        Our church family is extemely fortunate to have the services of Tommy Boudreaux, who is a member of St. Charles Borromeo, and who served as part of the original architectural team of our church.
       The first actual construction on the church will be the roof restoration on both the church building and Mauret Family Life Center.  Because of the church structural damages. Mauret Family Life Center roofing will be addressed first, followed by the church roofing, followed by interior restorations.  Parishioners will be notified as soon as the information is received relative to the start date.
        Additional, and ongoing, information can be found on the Diocesan website.  (www.htidocese.org) On the website, click on REBUILD THE BAYOUS.  In addition, the Diocese Facebook page also has a video message from Bill Barbera concerning the rebuilding of churches.
        We ask that you continue to pray for all who are involved in this process.  When you see those pallets of shingles arrive, you will know that the physical process has begun!

Hurricane Ida Progress Report
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, the St. Charles Church community learned of the magnitude of devastation to our beloved Church complex. The damage to the Church was significant, along with the Chapel, Sacristy, and a portion of the Administration Office.
We, as a Church Community, like so many across the Diocese, have begun the process of cleaning, rebuilding, and moving forward. We ask for your continued patience, support, and prayers during this process.

February 19^th & 20^th

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR: 
Update on Church Repairs

 It has been six months since Hurricane Ida caused major damage to our area and to our church facilities.  I know many of you are wondering about the progress of the repairs.  I would like to begin by letting you know that the work needed to remove all water damage to our buildings was completed around the end of November and the beginning of December.  Catholic Mutual (the Diocesan Insurer) along with Adjusters hired by the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux have accessed the damages to our facility, and are currently compiling a report of the damages, along with a restoration budget. We are presently awaiting the completion of this report.

Several weeks ago, members of the Diocesan Staff in charge of facilitating our recovery process met with local architects who are interested in working with Diocesan Churches and schools that were damaged by the storm. Many of these facilities have plans that are in need of updating in order to meet building codes. Our church will need updated plans.  Mr. Tommy Boudreaux has agreed to work with us and help to oversee the repairs to our church.  While awaiting the completion of the report from the insurers, Tommy has been doing some preliminary work; for example, checking updated building and fire codes. 

We cannot move forward until we get the report, because the report will help to provide a budget and pertinent information in regard to the damages to the church and our other facilities.  I want to assure you that the Diocesan Staff is pushing the adjusters to get the reports completed.  We are also working with FEMA, which can also cause some delays as we move forward.
At the beginning of this process I asked that we have patience, because it will be a long journey.  I would like to repeat this request.  I am aware that it can be frustrating that we are not in our church, but we have never experienced a storm which caused such damage to our facilities and local area.  I myself have never experienced something like this.  Our church sustained major damage. 

Let’s pray for each other during this recovery.  I ask that you continue to pray for the many people throughout our area who are rebuilding their lives because of the damages caused by Hurricane Ida.

Fr. Carl

November 6^th–7^th, 2021

A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR!

     While our restoration efforts have stalled while waiting for insurance estimates, we are pleased to share that we have focused our efforts rebuilding our Church Community!

• We are excited to announce that we will be resuming Church activities as soon as this Sunday, beginning with a Hamburger and Chili Meal under the big tent. This is an opportunity to gather as a family once again!
• Youth Formation classes are back and begin on Sunday, November 14^th. We look forward to our Youth gathering here at Church once again!
• Also on November 14, the KC’s are serving Coffee and Biscuits after 7:30 AM Mass, and will continue each month.
• Our annual Christmas Social/Family Day has been scheduled for Sunday December 5^th! We have an exciting day planned with a meal and activities for our youth and adults. Santa will be here with treats for the kids. We will also have a photographer to take Christmas pictures. We will be sharing more in the near future, as we finalize plans.
• Our annual Memorial Mass will be held on January 12^th and 13^th. We are offering two Masses in MFLC to accommodate family and friends of our loved ones who have passed away in the past year.
• We are in the process of resuming Community Meals, KC Meals, and other opportunities to gather and worship as a Church Family

October 30-31^st 2021
After weeks of the constant sound of ceilings, walls, and floors being removed, we find ourselves at a crossroad as we are now faced with the painstaking process of awaiting insurance estimates.  Please be patient as this too shall pass. God created this beautiful earth in seven days. Unfortunately, we are not operating at that speed!

October 23-24, 2021
Restoration work is continuing. The Chapel and a portion of the Sacristy and Administration Office had water damage. The ceiling and floor of the Chapel has been removed. In the sacristy, the closet containing the air conditioners had water damage and the ceiling, walls, and AC units were removed. A wall in the Youth Formation office adjacent to the sacristy has also been removed.  We are awaiting insurance estimates at this time. The restoration of our Church and Chapel will be a long process. In the meantime, we are working together to resume activities within our Church community.

        

  October 9-10^th 2021
Restoration continues in the Church. All of the flooring has been removed and the sanctuary floor and steps have also been removed. Two large storage containers were acquired to store items removed from the Church. Mauret Family Life Center is now being used for all weekday and weekend Masses. Let us join together as a community to give thanks and praise to the Lord for our many blessings. We look forward to celebrating Mass with all of our parishioners and friends of St. Charles Church!