History Made Following Ida As Local Churches Unite And Lend One Another A Helping Hand

Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana’s Gulf Coast at 11:55 a.m. on Sunday. August 29, 2021 and at 6:05 p.m., Rev. Lionel “Slim” Joseph Nelson, Jr. transitioned from his earthly home to his heavenly home.

Typically, the preparation for a funeral would begin, but with the devastation left behind by Ida - roof damage, toppled and downed trees, destroyed homes, no electricity, individuals scrambling for gas to run generators, debris, church damages, etc. no funeral date could be set.

Days and days went by and the general time to hold a funeral stretched with community members giving prayers, sending sympathy, and inquiring on the date of service. Something needed to be done.

Nelson, a lifelong resident of St. James, LA and a military veteran, was a member of St. Luke Baptist Church in Moonshine, LA under the direction of Pastor Nathaniel Batiste and the church sustained damage during the storm and was without electricity.

Nelson’s family was not only grieving the loss of their loved one, they also had to deal with the after effects of Ida and now faced the situation of where could the funeral be held?

It quickly became apparent that other area Baptist Churches would not be able to host the funeral (as is practice) due to damages and or power outages from Ida and COVID-19 restrictions.

The family found themselves in a real quandary - How will Nelson’s funeral be held in a church?

A suggestion was made that the funeral be held at St. James Catholic Church which is the local Catholic Church in the 5th District.

All involved were a little skeptical, to say the least, as no one could recall hearing about or attending a Baptist funeral being held in a Catholic Church.

So, Father Matthew McCaughey, Priest of St. James Catholic Church, was contacted and asked if the funeral could be held at St. James Catholic Church.

A Nelson family member stated Fr. McCaughey said that this is the time for the community to come together and permission was given for the St. Luke Baptist Funeral to be held in the St. James Catholic Church.

The above story is one more example that this community has come together in this time of need.

Through the devastation left by Hurricane Ida, we in the St. James Parish Community and surrounding parishes, individuals and community members have provided services for individuals and families in need.

Food has been cooked and donated by groups, businesses, individuals and/or political figures. Distribution of much needed water, ice and/or generators have been provided.

To all, some who were in need themselves, still stepped in.

Thank you for your resilience and a spirit of caring!

Note: Rev. Lionel “Slim” Joseph Nelson, Jr.’s obituary will be published in next week’s edition of the News Examiner-Enterprise so you can learn more about the life of Rev. Nelson.