Fr. Dr. Jonathan Parks, S.D.B.

On behalf of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, we are extremely happy and deeply honored to welcome the First Lady, Mrs. Laura Bush.  She is no stranger to New Orleans and to the Gulf Coast.  Mrs. Bush is no stranger to schools.  Her commitment to education, especially libraries and literacy, is well known.  Mrs. Bush, we are honored by your presence, grateful for your generosity, and we have benefited from your leadership.  You are a First Lady in the best sense of the term.  Your involvement with education clearly indicates your commitment to the future.  Your presence with us gives us cause for hope.  St. Rosalie welcomes you.  Again, we are grateful for your gift.  We are grateful for your presence. 

          It is truly has been an honor for you to come and visit St. Rosalie School today. Your presence gives our spirits a great boost and reminds us that we are not alone in our rebuilding efforts. Many people in the audience today stayed for Hurricane Katrina including members of our school community and myself. Seeing the destruction the day after Katrina hit, it was a blow to one’s spirit and, at the same time, we talked immediately about how we were going to rebuild and when we could reopen our campuses. Despite having over $5 million in damages, and the destruction of four entire school buildings, as well as damage to our Church, we were able to being almost immediately our clean-up and rebuilding efforts. In those early days when there was no electricity or running water, no way to communicate to the outside world our difficulties, we started the cleanup our campuses, begin to line up our contacts, and prayed, and prayed, and prayed.

          Within two weeks we into full gear, the military assistance of the Navy Seabees as well as the Army were magnificent and methodical as they cleared debris from the area. Our Parishoners set up an impromptu food service, cooking for anyone and everyone who was in the area. As our people returned, they added to our clean-up areas.

          The Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of New Orleans took the lead in finding ways to open as many Catholic schools that was possible. Here at St. Rosalie we used our Parish Center, our Youth Center, and even our Church for classes. Catholic Charities mobilized its efforts, especially for the helping people to return to the area. St. Rosalie opened its doors not only to its students but to so many others. The Salesians of Don Bosco, who operate Archbishop Shaw High School, made room for our middle school students. Private donations came in from our Salesian communities not only in the United States but from our Superiors in Rome as well.  The Archdiocese of New Orleans encouraged and supported all of our efforts while slowly opening other Catholic schools and Churches.

          Mrs. Bush, thank you for your leadership in our country and in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina. Please continue to support private, Catholic educational efforts along with those of public and charter schools. Know that we are grateful and ask you to let our President, your husband, know of our personal gratitude and respect.  Thank you and God Bless You!