By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A New Orleans priest, who is originally from Buffalo, managed to escape the brunt of Hurricane Katrina. But now Fr. Tony Rigoli finds himself ministering to the many victims who have been transported to the Houston Astrodome.
Fr. Rigoli is a member of the Missionary Oblates. While in Buffalo, he was popular among those he served. He is known for his sense of humor, and despite the devastation that has torn through the City he now serves, Fr. Rigoli has his sense of humor intact.
"Believe me, I'll take a Buffalo winter over this any time."
Fr. Rigoli left Buffalo four years ago to serve as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Guadeloupe Chapel in New Orleans near the French Quarter. He says another priest told him the church was not damaged in the storm. They're calling it a real miracle because the water stopped before hitting the church.
Fr. Rigoli says the city and state were simply not prepared for what occurred.
"When it hit, it didn't hit us directly. So, the next day, people were starting to get back to normal. And that's when the levee broke," Fr. Rigoli said.
Fr. Rigoli was able to escape Louisiana before the storm hit. But it took him about 12 hours to reach the Houston area. He has been visiting shelters and the Astrodome daily to help support and comfort those who lost everything. Fr. Rigoli says he is amazed by their gratitude despite their losses. Not only did they lose their homes and material goods, but more importantly loved ones. Still, Father Rigoli says many have not lost their hope.
"As one man said today when I asked him how he's doing, he said they're treating us great," Fr. Rigoli said. "He was so grateful. In the midst of all this misery, goodness is rising to the top."
Still, Fr. Rigoli says he is fearful that some of the elderly men and women he once served may not have survived Hurricane Katrina.