Hurricane Milton

From the Pastor:    Hurricane Milton

       With hurricane Helene’s damage still in our faces hurricane Milton roared ashore. I wrote about my Aunt Irma stopping by to try to analyze the last hurricane, acting like it was a science project or a game. After seeing all of the devastation left behind, she learned her lesson without needing a truckload of equipment to tell her anything. As soon as the news showed Milton to be a category 5 hurricane, she called to tell me that she would be monitoring it from Kansas.
       I am writing this on Wednesday afternoon, while the rain is still not too heavy and the winds not too strong. A lot will change in just a few hours. I expected to have to squeeze in time at the priest convocation to write this but it has been canceled. Some of my family evacuated to Alabama. Others went to South Carolina. My brother-in-law is staying with my mother. My dad is staying with me. Many parishioners have checked in to tell me that they are in safe places. A friend in Ohio offered to take in anybody who needed a place to evacuate to. A priest who was supposed to come here this weekend to celebrate Mass had his plans change. He was bringing his mother to Florida to take a short vacation on Anna Maria Beach and was going to hear confessions and celebrate Mass here before heading out to the island. Of course, Helene made that impossible, so he instead had been looking for a place in Jacksonville to take his mother instead. Milton made even that sensible solution not a good solution, either! The ever-joyful Carmelite Sister Immaculata was also supposed to come visit us this weekend. Fortunately, she was able to cancel her plans in time. She will make it down later when it is safe.
       A priest from Ohio called and asked me to let him know if anyone here needed financial support due to damages beyond what they could handle. His Women’s Club is offering to raise money to help, so if any of you need it, please let me know. Many other priests from around the country have contacted me offering prayers as they hear about the hurricane. Evidently coverage is extensive not only in Florida but far away as well. As I got to this particular place writing this article, another priest, this one from Michigan, also reached out to offer direct help if anyone needs it! Amazing!
       As I continue writing I keep getting further information regarding the storm. It is now moving faster. It is now moving more northward. But the 5:00 update shows the expected track bringing it ashore still a bit south of us, maybe hitting Bradenton/Sarasota instead of straight up Tampa Bay. That should keep our storm surge a good bit lower. But only time will tell. As for me, I am still praying it away. Winds are currently about 20 mph and the rain is coming in a little more consistently but still not too heavy. My brother-in-law is keeping a good watch on the Hillsborough river which is a few blocks downhill from my mom’s house. Currently it is about 3 feet from cresting. Even if it moves up another 10 we expect that mom’s house will be fine. But they can come to the rectory if we have misjudged it. On the other hand, if something happens to the rectory, we can move over to her house, so we all have backup plans. If the electricity stays on, mom’s place will probably have better food! If we can’t cook, my stock of Spam, sardines, and canned chili will probably make the rectory the better diner. Of course, mom may differ on that latter option! At this particular time, the retention ponds between us and Epiphany Arms are full but the water hasn’t yet intruded into our parking lot. No doubt it will soon but it used to flood with every afternoon thunderstorm. It never got up to the church sidewalk or into the rectory so I don’t expect it to tonight, either.
       Tornadoes have been observed throughout the whole of the southeastern part of Florida. Seeing them on the FDOT cameras has been amazing and is helping to keep me grateful that they are not happening here.
       After quite an interruption for dinner I am back to say things are looking good. I don’t know if we will get this bulletin published this week so I don’t know if you will ever read it. We still have electricity. Currently (7:13 pm Wednesday) the winds have fallen off for the moment. The worst is still to come but it shouldn’t be too bad. After all, your prayers have been powerful! Thank you each and every one and thank you Blessed Mother!

With prayers for your holiness,
Rev. Fr. Edwin Palka

​