Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Matt's New Orleans Sermon
One of our favorite post-New Orleans traditions is our celebration Mass at St. Francis Church with lively music and lots of youth participation. This year we heard from Emily and Tia about what most touched them about this year's trip. As he does each year, Matt followed up their words and connected them to the day's readings in a beautiful and moving way. Watch and enjoy!
Thursday, July 19, 2012
ReNew has Returned!
We are back!
Well, technically, we've been back for four days now -- so long that some of us have already left on our next adventures. But as we settle back into cooler weather and sleeping in our own beds, we know that there will always be a piece of each of us left behind in New Orleans. We are also very aware that we will always carry our experiences in our hearts, long after the bruises and scrapes have healed, the drywall mud has been washed from our clothes and the paint from our hair, and the mosquito bites have subsided.
Since our last writing, the rest of the week was spent diving into work. Wednesday morning, we visited Mr. Dusuau, whose home we helped to finish in 2010. Mr. Dusuau was kind enough to let all 40 of us traipse through his home to show off the handiwork of our teammates, and told us about continuing to work his job at the water treatment plant during the Storm. For more of Mr. Dusuau's story, you can check out the 2010 video, accessible through our Links page.
On Wednesday afternoon we added an additional house to our lineup, a cute trailer owned by a sweet older couple named the Uplingers. At 70, Mr. Uplinger was in the house working when we arrived, despite his wife's scolding. A mini-team of four of us spent the remainder of the week working to finish up the home so that the family could move in by the end of this week. We also discovered that classmates from St. Ignatius High School had previously worked on the Uplinger's house during their Spring Break immersion trip! Wednesday was a day for switching tasks all around, as the Washington house progressed from mudding to priming, and the Buckner house team was able to begin drywalling!
Thursday morning, we visited Mrs. Phoenix, whose home we drywalled in 2008, and her sister, Mrs. Phillip, who lives next door. These wonderful ladies were our first introduction to the culture of New Orleans, cooking us down-home lunches of gumbo or fried pork chops daily from the tiny kitchen of the FEMA trailer they shared. Each year they have welcomed us back with open arms and fond memories, as the new team members look through the photo album of post-storm devastation the ladies chronicled.
On Friday we enjoyed a beautiful note from home sent by our "prayer buddies" of St. Raphael Church's JPC (Jovenes Para Cristo) young-adult group. we adventured to the French Quarter for begneits and shopping before heading off to our final workday. We returned home to an amazing dinner of 50 POUNDS of shrimp, along with crab, corn, and potatoes, that Mack had prepared for us as a token of his appreciation! After dinner, we gathered in a circle and each shared something that impacted us about our week. Our responses were often humorous (and sometimes interrupted by the killing of a passing cockroach) but always heartfelt. It is clear that none of us will be the same for having been, and that all of us are determined to continue to work to rebuild New Orleans and raise awareness of the ongoing need in the Lower 9th Ward and throughout the city.
We look forward to sharing our stories with you at our two upcoming Masses, as well as after Mass. This Sunday we will gather together at 9 AM at St. Raphael Church, and on Sunday, August 5 we will gather at 9 AM at St. Francis Church in Novato. We hope to see you there!
I'd like to close with a picture I spotted online as I was (procrastinating in) writing this post, that pretty much sums up how I think most of us feel about this trip:
Well, technically, we've been back for four days now -- so long that some of us have already left on our next adventures. But as we settle back into cooler weather and sleeping in our own beds, we know that there will always be a piece of each of us left behind in New Orleans. We are also very aware that we will always carry our experiences in our hearts, long after the bruises and scrapes have healed, the drywall mud has been washed from our clothes and the paint from our hair, and the mosquito bites have subsided.
Since our last writing, the rest of the week was spent diving into work. Wednesday morning, we visited Mr. Dusuau, whose home we helped to finish in 2010. Mr. Dusuau was kind enough to let all 40 of us traipse through his home to show off the handiwork of our teammates, and told us about continuing to work his job at the water treatment plant during the Storm. For more of Mr. Dusuau's story, you can check out the 2010 video, accessible through our Links page.
On Wednesday afternoon we added an additional house to our lineup, a cute trailer owned by a sweet older couple named the Uplingers. At 70, Mr. Uplinger was in the house working when we arrived, despite his wife's scolding. A mini-team of four of us spent the remainder of the week working to finish up the home so that the family could move in by the end of this week. We also discovered that classmates from St. Ignatius High School had previously worked on the Uplinger's house during their Spring Break immersion trip! Wednesday was a day for switching tasks all around, as the Washington house progressed from mudding to priming, and the Buckner house team was able to begin drywalling!
Thursday morning, we visited Mrs. Phoenix, whose home we drywalled in 2008, and her sister, Mrs. Phillip, who lives next door. These wonderful ladies were our first introduction to the culture of New Orleans, cooking us down-home lunches of gumbo or fried pork chops daily from the tiny kitchen of the FEMA trailer they shared. Each year they have welcomed us back with open arms and fond memories, as the new team members look through the photo album of post-storm devastation the ladies chronicled.
On Friday we enjoyed a beautiful note from home sent by our "prayer buddies" of St. Raphael Church's JPC (Jovenes Para Cristo) young-adult group. we adventured to the French Quarter for begneits and shopping before heading off to our final workday. We returned home to an amazing dinner of 50 POUNDS of shrimp, along with crab, corn, and potatoes, that Mack had prepared for us as a token of his appreciation! After dinner, we gathered in a circle and each shared something that impacted us about our week. Our responses were often humorous (and sometimes interrupted by the killing of a passing cockroach) but always heartfelt. It is clear that none of us will be the same for having been, and that all of us are determined to continue to work to rebuild New Orleans and raise awareness of the ongoing need in the Lower 9th Ward and throughout the city.
We look forward to sharing our stories with you at our two upcoming Masses, as well as after Mass. This Sunday we will gather together at 9 AM at St. Raphael Church, and on Sunday, August 5 we will gather at 9 AM at St. Francis Church in Novato. We hope to see you there!
I'd like to close with a picture I spotted online as I was (procrastinating in) writing this post, that pretty much sums up how I think most of us feel about this trip:
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
We Made the Local News!!
Fox 8 News of New Orleans came and did a human interest piece on us today! Apparently, we are one of a very few groups who have continued to come back each year from a far away destination, and a quick minute on the news was our five year anniversary present!
Hoping this works, here's the video:
New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations
Or you can link to the video on the Fox 8 page here:
http://www.fox8live.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7488310
Hoping this works, here's the video:
New Orleans Local News, Weather, Sports, Investigations
Or you can link to the video on the Fox 8 page here:
http://www.fox8live.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7488310
Monday, July 9, 2012
Heading to Work!
It's Monday, which means that today started our wonderful work week -- our reason for being here! Our orientation for the St. Bernard Project, the organization responsible for connecting us with homeowners in need of rebuilding and providing trained site supervisors, was scheduled for 12:30, but our morning was anything but relaxed.
We spent the morning cleaning and organizing here at "home," doing our best to pay back our hospitality by lending our many hands to make light work of all that needs to be done here. The Village is a wonderful place, but as soon as we arrived we could see that the staff had lots on their plate, and there was much we could do to help improve organization and functionality. We mopped and vaccuumed and scrubbed, rearranged furniture and replaced broken parts, all of which cost us very little, but will benefit so many.
Our large group was split into two groups for the workweek. Eighteen of us are beginning the first step in rebuilding a house for Miss Charlene and her elderly mother and teen daughter -- insulation and drywall which will transform the house from an empty shell into a functional space. The other twenty of our crew are working on the subsequent step for the Washington family -- drywall mud and priming to prepare for painting. While the Washington family has been plagued with medical and financial issues in the years just before and since Hurricane Katrina, they plan to do their own painting, rather than use volunteer assistance, so that they may always feel a sense of pride in completing their home together as a family.
We were thrilled to come home to a traditional New Orleans Monday night meal of Red Beans and Rice, and after dessert we partnered up team members from different job sites to share reflections on today. Despite difficult work, team members from both sites were impressed by the courage and positivity the homeowners posses, and most enjoyed their work, despite challenges they may have faced.
While still hot, the weather today was much cooler than it had been, with a soothing breeze that made being outdoors pleasant and relaxing after work, instead of uncomfortable and to-be-avoided.
Tomorrow we look forward to returning to our job sites to continue our work. We will also be able to spend the morning helping with the Village's neighborhood reading incentive program -- assisting children in selecting books, reading with them, and cultivating Pen-Pal connections.
For now, though, the 1 and 2 AM bedtimes of Sunday night have given way to 10 and 11 PM bedtimes tonight for many of us -- including myself.
We can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for us!
We spent the morning cleaning and organizing here at "home," doing our best to pay back our hospitality by lending our many hands to make light work of all that needs to be done here. The Village is a wonderful place, but as soon as we arrived we could see that the staff had lots on their plate, and there was much we could do to help improve organization and functionality. We mopped and vaccuumed and scrubbed, rearranged furniture and replaced broken parts, all of which cost us very little, but will benefit so many.
Our large group was split into two groups for the workweek. Eighteen of us are beginning the first step in rebuilding a house for Miss Charlene and her elderly mother and teen daughter -- insulation and drywall which will transform the house from an empty shell into a functional space. The other twenty of our crew are working on the subsequent step for the Washington family -- drywall mud and priming to prepare for painting. While the Washington family has been plagued with medical and financial issues in the years just before and since Hurricane Katrina, they plan to do their own painting, rather than use volunteer assistance, so that they may always feel a sense of pride in completing their home together as a family.
We were thrilled to come home to a traditional New Orleans Monday night meal of Red Beans and Rice, and after dessert we partnered up team members from different job sites to share reflections on today. Despite difficult work, team members from both sites were impressed by the courage and positivity the homeowners posses, and most enjoyed their work, despite challenges they may have faced.
While still hot, the weather today was much cooler than it had been, with a soothing breeze that made being outdoors pleasant and relaxing after work, instead of uncomfortable and to-be-avoided.
Tomorrow we look forward to returning to our job sites to continue our work. We will also be able to spend the morning helping with the Village's neighborhood reading incentive program -- assisting children in selecting books, reading with them, and cultivating Pen-Pal connections.
For now, though, the 1 and 2 AM bedtimes of Sunday night have given way to 10 and 11 PM bedtimes tonight for many of us -- including myself.
We can't wait to see what tomorrow holds for us!
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Sunday
Greetings from Day 2!
We all enjoyed our first full day in NOLA. After breakfast, we all headed off to our home Church here in town, St. Augustine Catholic Church in Treme (Truh- MAY), the area of New Orleans famous for being the birthplace of Jazz music. Fr. Moody, the pastor, welcomed us back for our fourth year going to Mass there, and gave a powerful sermon that led many of us to thoughtful discussion. Almost all of us were moved by the power of singing Bach's beautiful version of the Lord's Prayer in unison. And the St. Augustine Soulful Voices Choir is amazing -- it was like being at a concert within the Mass! While we didn't record them, you can hear a bit below, and find more on YouTube:
After Mass we returned to the Village for lunch and spent some time making chore charts and cleaning up our space before heading out on a tour of some of the local devastation and renewal that has happened in the last seven years. We are staying just two blocks away from a home we painted two years ago, so we stopped to see it, as well as the Flood Memorial, the area of the levee in the Lower Ninth where the most serious breach occurred, the "Brad Pitt houses" of the Make it Right foundation, and the Musician's Village. At several points, despite the threat of thunderstorms, we stopped to get a closer look at our surroundings and Matt, Tomas, Beth, and some of our veterans, were able to give some insight into what we were seeing.
Our six-vehicle caravan was quite a challenge to maintain, and must have been a sight for other drivers on the road! We did get separated at one point, as some vehicles stopped to take more pictures than others, but while waiting we found a cool digital-age playground and spent a little time goofing off, kid style.
After the tour, we headed out to Parkway Bakery for an authentic "Nawlins" po'boy dinner. Now, stuffed to the gills with fried catfish, shrimp, or roast beef po'boys, we are home enjoying some downtime before the real work begins tomorrow.
On a side note, my last two posts have been written from the computer lab here at the village, but unfortunately, I can't seem to attach photos to the blog from these computers. However, the village is equipped with wi-fi, and once we get connected to the network, I hope to be able to upload some pictures via one of our chaperons' iPads. Stay tuned for that and for our update tomorrow on our first day of work!
We all enjoyed our first full day in NOLA. After breakfast, we all headed off to our home Church here in town, St. Augustine Catholic Church in Treme (Truh- MAY), the area of New Orleans famous for being the birthplace of Jazz music. Fr. Moody, the pastor, welcomed us back for our fourth year going to Mass there, and gave a powerful sermon that led many of us to thoughtful discussion. Almost all of us were moved by the power of singing Bach's beautiful version of the Lord's Prayer in unison. And the St. Augustine Soulful Voices Choir is amazing -- it was like being at a concert within the Mass! While we didn't record them, you can hear a bit below, and find more on YouTube:
After Mass we returned to the Village for lunch and spent some time making chore charts and cleaning up our space before heading out on a tour of some of the local devastation and renewal that has happened in the last seven years. We are staying just two blocks away from a home we painted two years ago, so we stopped to see it, as well as the Flood Memorial, the area of the levee in the Lower Ninth where the most serious breach occurred, the "Brad Pitt houses" of the Make it Right foundation, and the Musician's Village. At several points, despite the threat of thunderstorms, we stopped to get a closer look at our surroundings and Matt, Tomas, Beth, and some of our veterans, were able to give some insight into what we were seeing.
Our six-vehicle caravan was quite a challenge to maintain, and must have been a sight for other drivers on the road! We did get separated at one point, as some vehicles stopped to take more pictures than others, but while waiting we found a cool digital-age playground and spent a little time goofing off, kid style.
After the tour, we headed out to Parkway Bakery for an authentic "Nawlins" po'boy dinner. Now, stuffed to the gills with fried catfish, shrimp, or roast beef po'boys, we are home enjoying some downtime before the real work begins tomorrow.
On a side note, my last two posts have been written from the computer lab here at the village, but unfortunately, I can't seem to attach photos to the blog from these computers. However, the village is equipped with wi-fi, and once we get connected to the network, I hope to be able to upload some pictures via one of our chaperons' iPads. Stay tuned for that and for our update tomorrow on our first day of work!
Saturday, July 7, 2012
We Have Arrived!
We have arrived, safe and sound! It's about 8:30 PM here in NOLA, and all is well. We got in about 20 minutes behind schedule, but quickly made it through the car rental process and were welcomed home to the Lower 9th Ward Village by about 3:30. On the way here, many of our veterans recognized some of the homes we had worked on previously, while our newcomers got a lay of the land and a glimpse at the communities and at the hurricane damage still visible today.
Once we arrived, we received a meaningful orientation from L9WV Director "Mack," then quickly set to work clearing rooms to make space to set up cots, tidying up the kitchen area, and getting settled in. We experienced our first Thunderstorm as we worked and many of us enjoyed a refreshing dash into the rain. A small team adventured to Popeye's Chicken for takeout dinner, where we were greeted with appreciation (and even a donation) by locals when we mentioned that we are volunteers. In a short while we will gather all together for a rundown of tomorrow's activities -- which will include Mass at St. Augustine and what is sure to be a powerful tour of the levees from Mack. For now, we are all enjoying some "hangout" time -- playing cards and H.O.R.S.E, reading, showering, chatting, and just being together, looking forward to what the next seven days hold in store for us.
Once we arrived, we received a meaningful orientation from L9WV Director "Mack," then quickly set to work clearing rooms to make space to set up cots, tidying up the kitchen area, and getting settled in. We experienced our first Thunderstorm as we worked and many of us enjoyed a refreshing dash into the rain. A small team adventured to Popeye's Chicken for takeout dinner, where we were greeted with appreciation (and even a donation) by locals when we mentioned that we are volunteers. In a short while we will gather all together for a rundown of tomorrow's activities -- which will include Mass at St. Augustine and what is sure to be a powerful tour of the levees from Mack. For now, we are all enjoying some "hangout" time -- playing cards and H.O.R.S.E, reading, showering, chatting, and just being together, looking forward to what the next seven days hold in store for us.
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
ReNew Orleans in the News
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
ReNew Orleans has made the papers! Thanks to the hard work of Matt McMurphy, Betsy Guthrie, and IJ writer Zach Dubin, an article on the work that we are doing in NOLA will be appearing in Thursday's Marin IJ! Check it out!
Can't wait 'til Thursday? Read it NOW at http://www.marinij.com/novato/ci_20999179/marin-teens-still-at-work-helping-new-orleans?source=rss!
ReNew Orleans has made the papers! Thanks to the hard work of Matt McMurphy, Betsy Guthrie, and IJ writer Zach Dubin, an article on the work that we are doing in NOLA will be appearing in Thursday's Marin IJ! Check it out!
Can't wait 'til Thursday? Read it NOW at http://www.marinij.com/novato/ci_20999179/marin-teens-still-at-work-helping-new-orleans?source=rss!
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