“Prayer support is by far the greatest need and the biggest blessing, because we know that recovery is long and slow,” says Precious Blood Father Thomas Hemm, pastor of Ottawa SS. Peter & Paul. “Only God can bring that full healing.”

Work remains to be done in the damaged church and school facilities of SS. Peter & Paul, but Fr. Hemm says his greatest concern is for those who have lost homes and businesses.

Catholic Charities is evaluating long-term needs in Putnam, Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Richland, Seneca, Van Wert and Wyandot counties.

Ursuline Sister Christine Pratt, director of social ministry and advocacy for Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Toledo, says the agency will largely attend to those unable to receive help elsewhere; the uninsured, the elderly, immigrant workers and those who are not eligible for FEMA money due to the previous condition of their home.

In mid-September, she said Catholic Charities was still working to “unearth those persons who are not coming to FEMA for whatever reasons.”

The agency will likely turn to parish resources for help, such as eucharistic ministers who know of shut-in residents who need assistance.

“The elderly are often among the vulnerable in a situation like this who fall through the cracks,” Sr. Pratt explains.

Kimberly Burgo, senior director of disaster response for Catholic Charities USA, toured Mansfield and Ottawa Sept. 17-18 with Sr. Pratt.