The following letter was sent to Bob Baldyga of Portland, Michigan, from the Plaquemines Parish President's Assistant in November 2005.  It provides a glimpse into the Katrina exprience for the people of Port Sulphur.

Dear Bob,

I was thrilled to finally get to speak to you and hear of your interest in adopting Port Sulphur.  We have undergone a terrible ordeal and appreciate any help anyone can give us.  There are very few structures that remain standing in Port Sulphur.  One of the structures that survived was the Port Sulphur Catholic Church.  Not only did it remain standing, several residents sought refuge in that church during the hurricane.  Their homes had been blown away and they fought to reach the church. Once there, the waters began to rise.  The group climbed into the choir loft and prayed together as the waters rose above the stain glassed windows and began to reach the floor of the loft.  Most accepted that they would not survive the day.  As the waters began to lap at the feet of the crucifix hanging from the ceiling, the group watched and continued to pray.  The waters stopped at the feet of Jesus.  The group was later rescued by emergency services in air boats. Since then, residents have returned to find everything hey own destroyed.  However, many of them have taken the time to go to the church to help with the cleaning of broken glass, shattered pews and ankle deep mud.  Services in the church began several weeks ago, with the congregation standing or sitting on boxes and chairs they brought themselves.  The people of Port Sulphur know where their strength comes from and they rely on that strength to get them through this tragedy.  Edwin “Duffy” LaVigne was one of the deacons at the Port Sulphur Church who spent the hurricane in the church loft. . . .

There are several businesses working to get up and running in the near future in Port Sulphur.  Once these businesses are available (gasoline, food, emergency supplies, etc.) and public services (electricity, water and sewage) are restored, the people will be able to go home to rebuild.  They will need help . I will be happy to connect you to leaders of the area and keep you updated on the progress of the community.

We look forward to hearing from the people of Portland and the members of “Building Bridges” and thank you for any help you can give us.

Janice Buras

Parish President’s Assistant