Hurricane Dean - An Update

Late last week we were told to prepare for Hurricane Dean. Dean was to be a Category 4 direct hit on Kingston. Here at St. Mary's and Missions we are less than 15 miles (as the crow flies) from Kingston; so any hit on Kingston would have a significant impact on us.

Friday and Saturday were dedicated to preparing: gathering food and supplies; stock piling water and fuel; boarding up windows and securing anything that could fly. Thanks to the RCIA Group from Meriden, CT, we were able to secure the property by late Friday (and the grounds never looked cleaner!).

Saturday was a beautiful day, in fact, we took the group down to the Franciscan Sisters pool for a little R & R before the storms hit.

Late Saturday night the first winds and rain bands began, and continued throughout the night... by day break it was clear we were staying on the property for the day. For security we stayed together: friars, sisters and visitors at the friary... the bulk of the storm hit us between 4pm and 8pm, and by 10pm we were able to get to bed. Throughout the night the howling winds continued, and on Monday morning we awoke to blue skies and a light breeze to begin the task of cleaning up.

Thank be to God other than some downed trees and some wind-blown water damage, we were spared any real damage.

Thanks to one and all who prayed for us, made Holy Hours for us, and called or emailed. We are blessed.