What a year.

Post by **Dale** » Fri Jul 20, 2001 10:26 pm

I just got back from watching my church burn. Lightning struck the metal cross on the roof and it started a fire. It couldn't be stopped by firefighters. It's a total loss. I've been a member for 18 years.

They'll supervise the burn over the weekend and try to keep it from spreading to other buildings. They expect the roof will collapse sometime tomorrow.

Marilyn and I will go over tomorrow and join a group of people that will set up a worship space in the gym.

Please keep our church community, St. Francis Xavier Church, Birmingham, Alabama in your prayers.

Dale

LittleMy · Post by **LittleMy** » Fri Jul 20, 2001 10:36 pm

I'm so sorry, Dale.

livethe question · Post by **livethe question** » Fri Jul 20, 2001 11:11 pm

Dale,

You and your family and your church family will be in my thoughts, prayers, and meditation's. As soon as it settles down a bit, let us know how else we can help. We care.

My favorite meditation verse (or at least the part I use) is: "Be still and know that I am." It brings comfort at times when I try to understand.

Blaine McArthur · Post by **Blaine McArthur** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 12:46 am

My condolences Dale, I'm sure you are facing a lot of mixed up emotions right now. I pray the Lord will comfort all of you.

I don't know that it is any comfort, but I have always believed the church is not the building, but the people in it, and I trust none of them have been hurt.

In His Name,

Blaine

FairEmma · Post by **FairEmma** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 8:53 am

Dear Dale,

Adversity so often reveals the blessings of strength, courage, compassion and faith. May these attend you and yours through this sad time.

my thoughts and wishes are there
FE

AnnaDMartinez · Post by **AnnaDMartinez** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 12:31 pm

I'm sorry, Dale. I'll be thinking about you and your congregation.

Post by **Dale** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 12:38 pm

Just got back from the church. I was able to walk through it before a nun chased me out (I wasn't offended, she had the advantage of being correct that it was dangerous.) It's hard to know whether it will be a total loss. I suspect it will be. Huge timbers from the very high ceilings crashed down during the night and buried the altar, demolished the grand piano. Water and smoke damage is extensive and it's structurally unsound. I think the bulldozers will be running soon.

On the other hand, a hundred or so of us parishioners met this morning and quickly transformed the parish hall into a sanctuary, thanks to those wonderful plastic chairs, a portable altar, a generous florist, etc. So, mass will happen--tonight--on schedule. And, of course, the perspective is that even in our temporary space, we'll have it better than many,many worshipers.

Also, a firefighter was injured last night when a large piece of roof fell on him. He's in stable condition at a local hospital and we hear he is doing well.

Thanks to you all.

Dale

Whistlepeg · Post by **Whistlepeg** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 4:59 pm

Dale,
My best wishes & prayers to you and your family & friends down there.
Sue

dakotamouse · Post by **dakotamouse** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 6:13 pm

Sometimes you wonder just when will all the trouble end. I'm so sorry for you, your family and your community of worship.

rebl_rn · Post by **rebl_rn** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 8:03 pm

Dale,
You and your whole parish family are in my and my parish family's prayers. I remember a sign I saw years ago: "Church is what is left after the building has burned down".

God bless you all.
Beth

janoc · Post by **janoc** » Sat Jul 21, 2001 9:53 pm

Dale, Just thinking of Isaiah, I think it's 61, where the Lord promises that he will make a garment of praise out of our mourning, and "ashes will become a garland of joy". I pray that ya'all will "raise the roof" in praise for mass in the days to come and that the Lord will be glorified in an awesome way. Bless you - Jan O'C

Post by **Dale** » Sun Jul 22, 2001 9:45 am

Thanks for your support. Here's a little webpage about the fire, with pics.

http://www.dalewisely.com/church.htm

Dale