By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – Students and parishioners at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and school held an emotional mass and celebration recently as Archbishop Gregory Aymond led a large turnout of parishioners and well-wishers, dedicating and blessing the final phase of construction that marked the end of recovery from Hurricane Katrina.
Our Lady of Lourdes was devastated when Katrina roared ashore here in August, 2005. The church and school are close to Lake Pontchartrain and were destroyed by the flood waters and winds.
Almost eight years since the hurricane pounded Southeast Louisiana, Our Lady of Lourdes students and adults were full of smiles, mixed with tears, as Aymond celebrated mass along with Father Frank Lipps, Father Basil, Deacon Troy Smith and Father Mark Lomax.
Aymond then led a procession to the school cafeteria, and finally the gymnasium, which he blessed as school children lined the walls and walkways.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church was first built back for the parish, followed by the school. The cafeteria and gymnasium were the final pieces of construction to complete the recovery by the families who make up OLL, and other families who send their children to the school.
OLL Principal Bob Kiefer spoke during the mass and fought back tears in thanking so many who supported the comeback by the church and school.
“This represents the end of our reconstruction, and there are so many to thank,” he said as he wiped away tears. “Thanks to the entire Our Lady of Lourdes community, and also to St. Margaret Mary and Pope John Paul, who welcomed us. We are grateful to all for making our school whole again. It is a joyous day for all of us.”
The millions of dollars in work was financed by the Archdiocese, hundreds at Our Lady of Lourdes who donated to see their parish restored, and FEMA money that was also contributed for the projects.
Construction on both the gymnasium and cafeteria began in 2007, with the gym finished in August, 2012, and the cafeteria opened for hot lunches in April, 2013.
The only work remaining is for the portables to be torn down and removed. Bids for that work are starting at the end of May.