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On July 25, 2007 215 black priests, deacons, sisters and seminarians
attended a joint conference of the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus and the National Black Sister
Conference. The conference focused on vocations and enriching the spiritual, theological, educational
and ministerial lives of the participants.
The attendees did two service projects, assisting those who were affected by Hurricane Katrina. One
service project included cleaning out the Magnolia Street house of the 90-year-old mother of Deacon
Joseph Connor and the other project included work at the Sisters of the Holy Family Mother house.
Connor, a deacon from the Archdiocese of Seattle who grew up in New Orleans at St Monica Church, said
he and his 90 year old mother, Helen Sexton were overjoyed by the decision of black priests,
deacons and seminarians to clean out his mother’s badly damaged Magnolia Street house.
“She’s lived there since 1961,” Connor said. “Water came up to the flooring, and then there was major
damage to the roof. FEMA wouldn’t cover the roof because they said it was a slate asbestos roof and
they weren’t doing those houses.
The contents of the house were a total loss. But Deacon Connor, whose mother is now living with him
in Seattle, said the cleanup work has given him hope that his mother might be able to move back. “It
was a blessing and God send,” he said. “My Mom cried. I hope it’s an inspiration and hope to others
to keep hope alive in New Orleans.”
Pray for God's people
Barbara & Joseph Connor
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