Mourning, prayer and a resolve to rebuild

MAYFIELD, Ky. (CNS) — Mourning, prayer and a resolve to rebuild shattered lives, homes and businesses in Mayfield followed one of the most powerful twisters in U.S. history that leveled the city of 10,000 in western Kentucky overnight Dec. 10.
The Bluegrass State was the worst hit as numerous devastating tornadoes traveled across it and its neighboring states of Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri, leveling entire communities.
As of early Dec. 13, at least 34 people were confirmed dead, but rescue efforts were still underway in Mayfield and elsewhere.
Twenty of those who perished were in Kentucky, and six died when a roof collapsed at an Amazon warehouse in Illinois.
As members of two of Mayfield's faith congregations came together to pray Dec. 12 amid rubble — piles of brick, metal and glass — prayers for their city and all of those affected by the ferocious mid-December twisters came from far and wide, including from Pope Francis and the U.S. Catholic bishops, and from close to home — Bishop William F. Medley of Owensboro, whose diocese covers western Kentucky.
A papal telegram conveyed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said Pope Francis "was saddened to learn of the devastating impact of the tornadoes" in the Midwest and the South."
"He offers heartfelt prayers that almighty God will grant eternal peace to those who have died, comfort to those who mourn their loss, and strength to all those affected by this immense tragedy," it said.
"With gratitude for the tireless efforts of the rescue workers and all engaged in caring for the injured, the grieving families and those left homeless, Pope Francis invokes upon all engaged in the massive work of relief and rebuilding the Lord's gifts of strength and generous perseverance in the service of their brothers and sisters," said the telegram, which Cardinal Parolin sent to Archbishop Christophe Pierre, the apostolic nuncio in the U.S.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the USCCB's Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, said the destruction and devastation was "heartbreaking" and called for prayer and assistance for all those who were in the path of the storms.
"During this Advent season where we await in joyful anticipation for the birth of our Lord, we pray for those who have been injured, for those who have lost their lives, and for their grieving families and communities," said Archbishops Gomez and Coakley. "May those who have been impacted by these storms find peace, comfort and hope in our faith and in God’s endless love.
"We also pray for the emergency responders and those who have begun the work of providing for the needs of the impacted in these communities in the recovery efforts," they said in a statement issued late Dec. 11. "We entrust all our brothers and sisters in harm's way to our Blessed Mother, and we ask for her continued protection and for her intercession in comforting those who are suffering." 
Bishop Medley in a Dec. 11 statement called on the Catholic community of the diocese "to unite in prayer ... for all of the suffering that was caused by this disaster."