Contact:  Melissa C. Di Leonardo
(202) 862-9893
mdileonardo@ajcunet.edu

 

 

Washington, DC (August 29, 2006) - On the one year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, one of the most devastating natural disasters our nation has witnessed, our hearts and prayers are with the Katrina survivors, with the families of those that perished, and with our colleagues and friends at Loyola University New Orleans, one of our member institutions.   It was a particularly great moment in Jesuit higher education when our nation's 27 Jesuit institutions rallied to help Loyola by welcoming the university's displaced students to their campuses. 
 
Although much has been done to attend to the hurricane victims and restore the region, there is still more we can do to help repair the lives of individuals who sustained great losses, including their homes, jobs, and, in some cases, loved ones.  Let us remember that when any member of the human family suffers, we all suffer, and that by showing solidarity with those in pain and in need can assist in the healing process.
 
In the days and months ahead, we call on our nation's leaders to make the Gulf Coast restoration a priority and tend to those individuals whose lives have been broken.  And may all of us, both near and far, continue to pray for grace and wisdom as we seek solutions that offer comfort and hope.

 

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