Floodwaters pour across U.S. 74, as seen from Interstate 40 in Asheville on Friday during Tropical Storm Helene. (Provided by NC Department of Transportation)CHARLOTTE — Churches, schools and ministries across the Diocese of Charlotte continue to assess and report damage from the remnants of Hurricane Helene that swept through Friday.
On Saturday, power remained out, trees were down and water damage was reported at dozens of the diocese’s churches and schools, particularly those in western North Carolina, where communities have been cut off from services and communications.
“We pray for everyone who has been affected, especially for those who have been injured or lost loved ones, and for the communities in western North Carolina that are seeing total devastation,” said Monsignor Patrick Winslow, vicar general and chancellor of the diocese. “We are also taking stock of how we can help our local communities.”
In Swannanoa, a tree fell onto St. Margaret Mary Church, whichannounced on Facebook their “campus is closed indefinitely; no Mass or Sacraments can be offered at this time, and we have no idea when our ability to have Mass may be restored.”
In Hendersonville, flooding and leaks from the roof and windows at Immaculata School inundated multiple classrooms, the gym, and its new STEM lab – and is expected to disrupt school next week. The adjacent Immaculate Conception Church experienced water damage in the sacristy.
“Power is out everywhere and cellphone towers are down – and water is out in some places, too,” Immaculata principal Margaret Beale said Saturday. “This really is a disaster. People can’t get out of their homes and may not have food or water.”
Catholic Charities has activated its emergency response protocols across the Diocese of Charlotte – which covers 46 counties in the western half of North Carolina – to support churches and communities during their recovery.
A tree fell at St. Margaret Mary Church in Swannanoa on Friday. (Provided photo) Bishop Michael Martin on Friday lifted the Sunday Mass obligation in places impacted by the storm, but some churches including Immaculate Conception plan Sunday services as usual – even without power. (Parishioners should check their parish website and social media channels for cancelations or modified schedules for services and activities.)
“Stay strong,” St. Aloysius Church in Hickory posted on Facebook Saturday, calling on its patron saint to “pray for us!”
“There is NO electricity at church,’’ the post said. “However, Mass is still on for those that can attend.”
Water leaks were reported at churches as far east as Winston-Salem, and trees were down at churches in Shelby, Gastonia and Mooresville.Water damage from flooding was also reported in classrooms at St. Michael School in Gastonia.
The diocese’s Family Life Conference planned for Saturday at St. Matthew in Charlotte was postponed due to a power outage at the church late Friday; power was restored in time for Saturday morning Masses.
“Friday was tough day,’ Immaculata Principal Beale said, “and it’s really frustrating for a school that has gained so much momentum. But then you get on the other side of the storm and you see how horrific the damage is, you realize you are blessed. There isn’t anything that’s happened at our parish or school that can’t be repaired. We are such a strong community that we’ll come back from this.”
— Catholic News Herald