The Last Day

I believe that the kids found Monday to Thursday to be the highlights of the trip; after all the work is what they came for--not to say the adults did not, but the adults were able to enjoy a 'piece of history' on Friday morning, that may or may not have gone over the students' heads.

Friday had been our 'visit to schools' day and we began as we usually did with bus departure at 7:15 am. We travelled north to Slidell to join the Grade 3 students from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School at the morning mass. We met Fr. Connor, the younger of the two priests who serve OLL Parish and he led the kids in a liturgy that we could tell kept the interest of the young ones and had them laugh every now and then. The three yound ladies who read at the various parts of the service were outstanding--they pronounced all words perfectly and their voice and tone were both 'right on'.

Mass was followed by a slide presentation from the Vice Principal, Mr. Nichols. He led us through the photos showing OLL prior to the hurricane and several shots of the state of affairs during the storm. The school was 'destroyed' in that their 2005'06 school year was spent at an alternate location. The church, on the same property, now consists of only outside walls and a bell tower. Mr. Nichols showed us an architectural drawing of the plans for the new school which they hope will commence construction in September 2008. In the meantime they occupy portable classrooms albeit on their site. This presentation was followed by a tour of the destruction to the school and the church. Some of our photos will speak more loudly than my words.

The highlight, however, for the adults occured between the mass and Mr. Nichols' presentation. We were honoured by the presence of the former Archbishop of Washington and New Orleans, Archbishop Hannan. The high school we were to visit at noon that day was named in his honour and he has been viewed by all who know him as one of the most energetic, knowledgeable and humaniatrian men one could know. Archbishop Hannan at 93 years young was described to me, prior to his arrival, as somewhat frail---if he is frail, then I want to be like him when I am 94!!!
This man is bright, humorous and a fountain of knowledge and a legend (in my mind, though I know why only now). The background to our audience with the Archbishop is that in a conversation with the Principal of OLL (Mr. Kieffer) I mentioned we were to visit Hannan High. Mr. Kieffer let it be known that the Archbishop was still alive and that it might be possible for us to meet him. I assured him that we would definitely relish this chance. On Wedenesday, while here I received a phone call from the Pastor at OLL confirming our desire but he thought it might not work because our schedule and the Arcbishop's were not coinciding. Late that afternoon the Pastor called back and asked me, "How do you know the Archbishop?" I replied that I did not know him at all. His response was that the Archbishop wanted to meet us and that he was prepared to alter his schedule and to go out of his way to meet us. Why is this event seemingly so significant? Archbishop Hannan was the Archbishop or Washington in the decade from 1955-1965 and during that time was not only a close friend of the Kennedy family but a 'behind the scenes' advisor to President Kennedy More historically significant though is that Archbishop Hannan celebrated the Mass of Burial for John F. Kennedy in 1963!! For most of the adults this encounter with the Archbishop will remain one of their highlights.

For those of us who are native Montrealers the Archbishop surprised us with another little tidbit of his life. He spoke of visiting Canada when he was younger and once while in Montreal he Visited the chapel at the Oratory on the mountain and SPOKE with Brother Andre!! The Archbishop also served as the Chaplain for the 84th Airborne Reigiment in WWII and he was delighted to hear of the excursion being coordinated by Port Perry High SChool teacher, David Robinson to visit Vimy Ridge to celebrate the 90th anniversary.

Fr. Frank, the OLL Pastor paid a particular tribute to Canada by noting that in the immediate aftermath of Katrina St Bernard Parish in the Lower 9th were in dire need of help and no one from any of the US or New Orleans agencies would give help. It was left to the RCMP who came down and leant the support they could. Fr. Frank was glad to hear that our students had been able to work in St. Bernard.

All of the above info and it's taken us only until noon on Friday!!!!!

The early afternoon took us to Covington, 30 miles west of Slidell and a visit to Archbishop Hannan High. Friday was exam day so no students were available. We spoke briefly with both the Principal and VP and presented them with our donation. Hannan High originally sat in St. Bernard Parish in New Orleans. Katrina destroyed their building so they are situated at St. Joseph's Abbey north of Covington. The traveling distance from St. Bernard to the Abbey is approximately 90 minutes one way...The commitment to catholic eduaction for some families is so great that their students make the trip every day!!

After our presentation we changed into our 'play clothes', had some 'production' photos taken and made our way further north to Abita Springs for a traditional lenten Friday evening 'crawfish boil'. Scott and Connie Simon, our hosts and leaders of the local Youth Group, conscripted a few friends to cook pot after pot of crawfish and pan after pan of catfish. Congratulations to many of our Cougars for being brave enough to try something new---Brooke claimed, "I've never had seafood" and she tried both items. The Simons live on 10 acres so the kids had fun for several hours playing volleyball, basketball and, of course, some football. The adults finally got a minute or two to sit down and soak up some rays. Even after four days of very hard work the kids had ample energy to run, jump, laugh and sing 'til 7:30. The bus ride back to the hotel brought out their dulcet tones from their favourite TV theme songs---Excedrin headache # 45,602!!

Our hosts not only provided food, fun and friendship but also lots of goodies for us, most touching of which, and perhaps ironic, was a crucifix pendent made from 'flooring nails'!! But more about the gifts later. It's 7:30 here on Saturday and we're about to go to mass out on the patio before we head home. I'll sign off now and perhaps update after the hockey game tonight.

Bidding farewell from the 'big easy'.