After the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita the Diocese of Toledo formed a partnership with the Louisiana Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Groups from our diocese have travelled to Louisiana to help with the clean-up there and now they are offering their prayers and help as we recover from the devastating flooding of the past few weeks. 

The goal of the partnership between the two dioceses was to build communication and support services. Only a few weeks ago a group from Ottawa traveled to Houma-Thibodaux to help in their on-going recovery process only to come home and experience devastating flooding in their home town. Immediately after learning of the flooding, we received phone calls from Houma-Thibodaux asking if they could help, and letting us know that we are in their thoughts and prayers. To see photos of the aftermath of the flood, click here .

Volunteers will be needed in the coming weeks and months. If you would like to be contacted to help with the clean-up and repairs from the flooding please click here to register as a long-term volunteer.

Bishop Jacobs of Houma-Thibodaux is dedicating the first week of September to prayers for our diocese and is arranging a donation to be sent to help with the long term needs of those affected.

The Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux has also offered their disaster manual as a resource. You can access the manual online by clicking here . Sr. Celeste Cotter, the Assistant Director of Catholic Social Services called immediately after learning of the flooding here and offered helpful advice for immediate clean-up. The following is a "recipe" for treating moldy walls, ceilings and floors:

You will need:

3/4 gallon bleach

1/4 gallon TSP (trisodium phosphate - available in the paint section of home improvement stores) 

 1 1/2 gallons water

Mix ingredients in a garden pump-sprayer and spray infested surface so that it is wet to touch. The kill time is 10 minutes minimum. Scrub infected area if necessary. Allow drying to touch. Repeat procedure.

Be sure to wear rubber gloves and protective mask. Open windows so you have fresh air to breathe. Be sure to follow all warnings on the ingredient labels.

If the mold becomes chronic it is recommended that infested materials are removed and area cleaned as described above.  "It is very important where there has been flooding to pull the wallboard and floor and treat as quickly as possible so that mold does not grow," says Sr. Celeste.

If you would like to help the areas affected by the flooding there are several things you can do:

1. Pray - Right now there isn't much we can do physically to help those affected by the flooding. State and National organizations are there and those with Insurance are still waiting to hear what is and isn't covered.

2. Volunteer - We are trying to gather information on those who would be willing to volunteer in the future. If you would like to be placed on a contact list, click here , and when volunteers are needed we will contact you.

3. Monetary Donations - What we have learned from our partners in Houma-Thibodaux is that recovering from a natural disaster takes a very long time, and the needs of those affected changes as time goes on.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo is currently accepting monetary donations for the flood victims that will support the recovery effort in the long-term. If you would like to make a monetary donation please make checks payable to Catholic Charities and write Flood Relief on the memo line. Donations can be mailed to the Catholic Center at P.O. Box 985 Toledo, OH 43697-0985.

People have been asking if they can donate items. There are several drop-off points for items that other organizations are coordinating. Channel 11 offers information on those locations. Click here , to learn more. 

If you have any further questions on how you can help, please contact Sr. Chris Pratt at 419-334-1331.

To learn more about the partnership between the Diocese of Toledo and the Diocese of Houma Thibodaux, click here .

To learn more about the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, click here .