Bishop Thomas J. Rodi of Biloxi said many people probably have mixed feelings about the first anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. "There is some wisdom in wanting to get on with our lives and not giving attention to Aug. 29," the day the hurricane made landfall in 2005, he wrote in the Aug. 18 issue of the Gulf Pine Catholic, Biloxi's diocesan newspaper. "It may feel to some that we are giving the storm too much power over us if we recall and observe the day it hit." But he also noted that there is a need to "pause and to remember," reflecting on all that was lost and destroyed by Katrina and remembering what was learned from the disaster. He said the extensive losses from the storm caused many to reflect upon "what is truly important and what is truly lasting." He said, "We have been reminded that people are more important than things. We have also been reminded how important it is to tell people we love them. We never know when we will be separated from them. Our priests and religious have been outstanding both in helping us to rebuild and to discern the greatest values in life."
September 6, 2006
