I have a very difficult time calling it an anniversary because anniversaries are usually joyful events. I would rather call it a commemoration. We are commemorating five years since the unwelcome guest - Katrina - brought so much damage to the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Why is it important to look back?

We can look to the past and pray for those who lost their lives in the storm and the flooding. We also can look to the past and the present to thank God for giving us the courage, strength and perseverance to rebuild. In the midst of the tragedy, God certainly has carried us in his heart. Though incredible destruction has taken place, God has not abandoned us but helped us to rebuild and to receive the gift of new life. We say this while remembering that some still have not finished rebuilding, and our prayers and support go out to them as they do so. We also have an opportunity to thank God for his fidelity and to ask God to help us to continue to be a people of hope.

Now, five years later, we find ourselves confronting another unwelcome guest with the oil tragedy. Many have at least temporarily lost their jobs and are enduring tough economic times. We don't know how long the fishing and oyster industry will be affected, and there are environmental damages that may take us a decade to uncover. In the midst of all of that, we believe God has been with us. As tragic as it was, we do believe it could have been much more devastating, and we are mindful of the 11 people who died in the explosion as well as their families. We pray for their eternal rest.

We've been told Catholic Charities will be there for the long haul.

Catholic Charities will continue to be there for the people until this situation is resolved. We must be the hands and the heart of Christ, reaching out to our sisters and brothers within our own family who are in need. Catholic Charities has done an extraordinary job of proving food, counseling and case management. The priests, deacons and religious have cooperated in providing hopeful support.

What will happen on Sunday, Aug. 29?

I'm asking parishes in the archdiocese to celebrate Mass in honor of Our Lady of Prompt Succor, who is the patroness of the archdiocese. She brings us closer to her son Jesus, and she unites her prayer to our own. She has accompanied the archdiocese through floods, hurricanes, yellow fever epidemics and fires. She remains our mother and will continue to be with. I will celebrate the 11 a.m. Mass at St. Louis Cathedral and then, at 1:30 p.m., I will welcome religious leaders from our community to the cathe dral for an inter-faith prayer service. I'm also very glad that the people of the St. Bernard area will hold a "funeral" for Katrina on Aug. 28 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church in Chalmette. While some of Katrina's destruction remains, it's important that we symbolically bury her and move on to new life.

Do you still see signs of Katrina-related stress?

I do, and I don't believe it's my imagination. I still hear people talk not only about the destruction of buildings, homes and churches but also about their emotional harm and fears. For many people, those wounds have been reopened with the oil tragedy, which reminds us of our own limitedness as human beings. Through Catholic Charities and through our parishes, we still need to be very attentive to those who are experiencing stress. Without a doubt, the number of suicides has increased.
As Christians, we have the power of God to be signs of hope for those who are in despair.

What are the biggest challenges the church faces five years after Katrina?

The first challenge would be to find those individuals who are hurting and be present to them and extend to them the charity of Christ. When one member of the family suffers, we all suffer. Secondly, we are still rebuilding. As we look around our neighborhoods, we see that rebuilding is still taking place. I've had the privilege to dedicate the new churches at Our Lady of Lourdes in Violet and Our Lady of Lourdes in Slidell, and I will rededicate the mission church at St. Ann in Empire on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. So, we are seeing rebuilding taking place. Thirdly, we have to make sure through Catholic Charities and other Catholic charitable foundations that we have the necessary resources for people to regain their lives.

Are you making plans to establish an administrative office for the archdiocese on the northshore?

There is nothing concrete yet, but there are ongoing conversations on what we can do to make the presence of the church more visible. I've read the blogs, and some people are suggesting that we're simply going "where the money is" or we're forgetting about the city. That certainly is not my intent. I and those who share ministry with me are called to be leaders and shepherds for the entire archdiocese, and we have to make sure that the presence of the archdiocese is significant and noticeable in all areas.

Archbishop Aymond welcomes questions from readers. Please e-mail questions to clarionherald@clarionherald.org.