Preparing for Ida

Tropical Storm Ida is expected to make landfall on the Louisiana coast as a major hurricane. The effects are expected to be experienced throughout the Archdiocese of New Orleans area beginning Sunday into Monday.

Based on the current forecasts, Masses in Catholic Churches are expected to continue as scheduled unless there is an evacuation order in effect for the area or the weather is too dangerous to travel. The obligation to attend Sunday Mass is lifted for area Catholics. Those who cannot attend Mass due to evacuations or weather conditions are encouraged to participate in the celebration of the Mass virtually through either online or televised broadcasts. A listing of virtual Masses can be found online at nolacatholic.org. Sunday Mass will be broadcast live from St. Louis Cathedral at 11 am on WLAE-TV.

All Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will be closed to both in-person and virtual learning on Monday, August 30, 2021. The archdiocesan administrative offices will also be closed on Monday, August 30, 2021. Further announcements about reopening and return to instruction either in-person or virtual will be made based on the impacts to the area.

With the expected impact to the area, Second Harvest Food Bank, an affiliated ministry of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, is actively preparing for the impact of what is expected to be Hurricane Ida in the coming days. For more information about how individuals can help, visit no-hunger.org.