Having written about hurricanes just yesterday, I am compelled to ask for prayers for those in the path of Hurricane Ida in the southern US. I in fact, have a family member there, so this is very personal for me. Thank you for your prayers. Lord, have mercy. Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us. Saint Joseph, pray for us. Saint John the Baptist (the feast of his passion is today), pray for us. Angels, protect us. Jesus, we trust in Thee!

UPDATE: We prayed the Rosary last night during the height of the storm as it passed over my family member’s area (this gave me incredible consolation-what a blessing the Rosary is!). He was able to communicate through cellphone and he is okay (this was very fortunate because not all cell service is working). However, there are still concerns and the people there still need prayers (also those in the path of what is now a tropical storm). Remaining issues are search and rescue, ability to deal with emergencies, flooding, massive power outages, those without provisions, and the chaos that can result post-disaster. I must say, as much as I hate the mainstream news, CNN has been doing an amazing job. Please see cnn.com for continued coverage on Hurricane Ida. It is good, from a preparedness point of view to read the articles carefully because this is a valuable real-life learning experience for us all. Let us pray for the deceased, their families, and those still suffering and in danger. Please think about praying the Rosary tonight with your family. As long as I’m asking for prayer, my father-in-law is seriously unwell, so please remember him as well. I will remember my dear readers in prayer also. Thank you.

UPDATE #2: The northeast got pounded by the remnants of Ida and sadly, there are many lives lost, mainly due to flash floods (including on Long Island). It is a weekend of mourning for these souls and prayers for their families. Some are still missing. There is no further word from my relative in New Orleans. We assume he is without power, but hopefully he is managing okay. My father-in-law has made a bit of improvement, so we are very happy about that. Thank you for your continued prayers.

UPDATE #3: My family member in New Orleans is still without power one week later, but was able to charge his phone somewhere and let us know he is managing. He seems he has been “through the wars” and we continue to pray for his well-being and safety.

UPDATE #4: He was without power for 10 days and is now getting more back to normal. Thank you Lord! 10 days? I gotta think a bit more about how I would make coffee without power…hmmmmmmmmm.