Communicating more effectively and efficiently
2 July 5, 2012
Newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Widows invited to reflection day
The Catholic Spirit
12
News with a Catholic heart
TheCatholicSpirit.com
Dealing with a deluge; recovery afloat Flooding in Duluth, Superior dioceses worst seen in more than 40 years By Joe Winter Catholic News Service
In adjoining port cities where rivers flow into the western tip of Lake Superior, Catholic officials continued to help people who were displaced and had their homes damaged by 10 inches of rain that fell in just a few hours. The June 20 torrential rains that hit areas of the Diocese of Superior, Wis., and the Diocese of Duluth caused the worst flooding that those places have experienced in more than 40 years. The high waters created sinkholes, washed out roads, and damaged houses and other buildings in several neighborhoods. Officials with the Federal Emergency Management Agency visited the area for the first time June 28 to assess the damage. It could take up to three months for storm victims to receive federal disaster aid.
Assessing the damage Many people hit hard by the storm are not used to asking for help, said Patrice Critchley-Menor, Duluth’s diocesan social apostolate director. “They are used to giving, not getting,” Critchley-Menor said, adding that she and others working with relief efforts have heard many times that “others have it worse, or this could have been even worse.” Officials in many agencies were working to assess the damage, expecting the full extent of emergency needs wouldn’t be known for a couple of weeks. Longterm assessments won’t be completed for months. PLEASE TURN TO STORM ON PAGE 16
Catholic Youth Camp works to salvage season; sessions still planned for summer Dianne Towalski The Catholic Spirit
Among the many businesses and organizations affected by the recent flooding in northeastern Minnesota is one near and dear to the hearts of many Catholic families. Catholic Youth Camp, the only Catholic resident camp in the state, is located on Big Sandy Lake in McGregor, where flooding has made it inaccessible by car. The camp is closed and has can-
celled three sessions, but camp officials hope to re-open for the scheduled July 15 to 20 session. “The board of directors and I have worked hard to keep Catholic Youth Camp in operation even though the economy has made it difficult, and I’m worried about the long-term effects of losing so much of our camp season,” said Natalie King, the camp’s executive director. PLEASE TURN TO YOUTH ON PAGE 16
CNS photo / Joe Cadotte, Reuters
Above: A car sits submerged in a sinkhole after flooding in Duluth June 20. Photo courtesy of Natalie King
Top: A staff person uses a kayak to get to a building near the swim beach at Catholic Youth Camp in McGregor June 27.
Rosary to the rescue
Ham Lake couple gets extra help during roadside birth By Bob Zyskowski The Catholic Spirit
Nikki Mickelson was getting anxious with her pregnancy. She had been to the hospital three times — and was sent back home three times with false labor. By Sunday, June 24, her baby was a week overdue. “I was praying my rosary, ‘Please, Blessed Mother, make this go quick and soon,’” admitted the 32-year-old parish-
ioner of St. Paul, Ham Lake. “Maybe I was praying too hard.” Baby Veyda Nicole Mickelson did come quick — and a bit too soon. She was born in her parents’ car on the way to St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul.
In God’s plan The couple wasn’t interested in their story being shared with the media, but when asked by a fellow parishioner if they PLEASE TURN TO BABY ON PAGE 19
Jim Bovin / For The Catholic Spirit
Nikki and Toby Mickelson with their daughter Veyda and the rosary that Toby used to tie off the umbilical cord.