Caring for Creation in the Derecho Aftermath in Indiana
Washington, D.C. – The Laudato Si’ Movement, a global network inspired by His Holiness Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for care of the Earth and all its people, released the below statement as a follow-up to the derecho aftermath in Northwest Indiana.
It has been almost 5 weeks since North Indiana faced a derecho, with tornadoes, powerful winds, torrential rain, and flooding across Northwest Indiana. Some residents lived without electricity for weeks, and others have cleaned up debris and been denied insurance claims on generator costs, ruined food, and repairs.
Yet in the midst of the destruction, chaos, and lack of resources, Catholics responded with authentic ways of living a generous faith. In a time of fear, when many would turn inward to “protect their own,” many Catholics and people of good will looked outward, to see how they could help their neighbors and community in a time of devastation.
Sarahi Unzueta, a young adult in the Diocese of Gary, has never seen any storm like this in her region. Unzueta shared, “I opened up my house for people to come and take a hot shower. I know there are underlying issues that need to be addressed, but there are also immediate needs we can respond to right now. I also offered my kitchen to anyone who needs to use the refrigerator for their medication or food.”
Kevin Foy and Angelica Agosto-Foy live in the same region as Unzueta, and were affected by the storm as well. Angelica, a school principal, thought of an idea to engage the children by hosting a lemonade sale. At the time, Kevin explained, “In the neighborhood, people are helping each other cut apart the trees and branches, helping with food, etc. It is a way to help the kids feel like they’re a part of the helpful response, too.” The children all had a role: pouring lemonade, scooping ice into cups, to offer free lemonade to people doing labor in the neighborhood to be engaged in the recovery effort. They earned $40 from donations and are deciding where to donate it forward. Though their families were all struggling, they leaned into community and brought joy!
“It can be easy in a time of fear to want to turn inward, but we are so inspired by the incredible work of neighbors supporting neighbors. This is a clear sign of living the Gospel: being a beacon of love for others in a time of significant need. The Diocese of Gary has many kind people coming together during this cleanup,” shared Anna Johnson, Director of Laudato Si’ Movement North America.
Laudato Si’ Movement is a Spirit-led movement to inspire and mobilize the Catholic community to care for our common home and achieve climate and ecological justice, in collaboration with all people of good will. Let us come together with our shared faith and journey as a Catholic community in a Synodal listening session on the Cry of the Earth, Cry of the Poor and as a participant or facilitator. Now is the time to gather as one to listen to the people who are impacted most in your community, such as those working to recover from this derecho in a time of water crises in Northwest Indiana.
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CONTACT:
Amy Rini
North American Communications Officer, Laudato Si Movement
[email protected]