Edmundite Missions essential in town, leading amid storm's aftermath

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
The COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t shut down the Edmundite Missions’ Bosco Nutrition Center. Nor did Hurricane Zeta in 2020. 
So an EF-2 tornado that ripped through Selma, Alabama, on the afternoon of Jan. 12 had no chance to stop the Edmundite Missions’ ministry. Despite losing electricity, the Bosco Nutrition Center opened its doors for regular dinner service three hours after the storm passed and served hundreds of people. Charcoal grills and portable generators were needed, but the nutrition center helped those in need as it has since 1986.
“It reminded me a bit of an Easter Vigil Mass seeing the sheer darkness broken up by a staff member with a cellphone flashlight guiding their paths to those lined up for food,” said Edmundite Missions President and CEO Chad McEachern. 
While there’s widespread damage throughout Selma, no deaths in town were reported. An EF-3 tornado that cut through neighboring Autauga County killed seven people. 
Selma will rely on the Edmundite Missions, which provides several ministries including its Bosco Nutrition Center that serves 1,300 meals each day. Edmundite Missions has been vital in predominantly African-American Selma since 1937. 
It was founded by the Society of Saint Edmund, based in Vermont. After hearing Pope Pius XI’s call to reach out to African-Americans in the deep south, the Edmundites selected Fr. Frank Casey, S.S.E. and Fr. Barney Paro, S.S.E., to serve in Selma and elsewhere in the deep south. 
Since its arrival it has served those in need in any way possible and has continued to do so amid the storm’s aftermath.
According to McEachern, it partnered with the Selma Police Department and loaded cruisers with meals to feed utility workers and those trapped in their homes. The Missions provided temporary housing for those who lost their homes or are without power. Its community center opened for volunteers assisting with disaster cleanup and clients are utilizing the facility’s showers and laundry services. Edmundite Missions is also donating plenty of needed items such as blankets, clothing and hygiene products.
Numbers as to how many the Missions has served since the tornado aren’t available yet because Internet was unreliable, but McEachern said its Bosco Nutrition Center served 346,000 meals last year and its Catholic Social Ministries office served 19,000 households.
Selma’s population was 17,971 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. 
More than 30 percent of the population in Selma lives below the poverty line. 
“I can only imagine with the devastation of this storm and the terrible poverty already facing our area, we will only see the demand increase,” McEachern said.
McEachern said money is the best way for the general public to help. Fr. Stephen Hornat, S.S.E., pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish in Selma added that gift cards are also helpful.
While the tornado damaged buildings throughout town, McEachern said only one of its storage facilities faced extensive damage and no damage hampered the Missions’ ability to open after the storm.
Damage was also minimal about a mile away at Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, according to Fr. Hornat. 
Parishioners’ homes were destroyed or severely damaged, but Fr. Hornat said the parish had its usual attendance for Sunday Mass three days after the tornado.
“Parishioners stayed around after Mass to share their experiences and photos,” he said. “People were still in shock and numb … There was a sadness in the air, but hope as well. Our closing song on that Martin Luther King Jr. weekend was ‘We Shall Overcome.’ Parishioners left knowing that we’ll get through this all right and we’ll get through this together.”
McEachern added ‘Every client I visited to see how we could help would first say, ‘Thanks Mr. Chad, but go check on so and so, they have it worse than me. I’m blessed and highly favored.’ Selma has been through a lot and always claws its way back. I know the city will do so again.”
There is a sense of gratitude that there was no loss of life. 
Fr. Hornat said he was visiting a nursing home before the tornado hit, reached his residence with 10 minutes to spare, hunkered down in his laundry room and “heard the sound of projectiles hitting my residence. The wind blew open my back door, windows were breaking and trees were falling all over the property.”
When the storm passed, Fr. Hornat said he noticed “the total destruction” of Selma’s Reformed Presbyterian Church. 
He also received a text message. 
It read ‘I lost my house but my wife and I are not hurt.’ ”
The storm also destroyed Crosspoint Christian Daycare, but 70 children and 13 teachers survived.
“God was with me in the laundry room when the tornado hit,” Fr. Hornat said. “God was with the 70 children and teachers in the Christian daycare when the tornado destroyed their building. When you see the catastrophic destruction and wonder why there was no loss on life, God was with us in Selma. Amen.”
— Visit www.edmunditemissions.org for more.