Joining hands

Story and Photos By Peter Finney Jr., Clarion Herald
Lead Photo | COURTESY CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

When tragedy struck New Orleans on Oct. 12 – with the sudden collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel under construction on Canal and North Rampart streets – the Archdiocese of New Orleans responded  immediately to minister to the needs of the families of the three men who died as well the needs of other construction workers and first responders. Less than six hours before the crippled cranes were imploded on Oct. 20, Oblate Father Tony Rigoli offered Mass near the Joy Theater on Canal Street for first responders and for Sergio Ponce, the brother of one of the three men killed.  Ponce, from Mexico, wiped away tears as he was consoled during the Mass. Archbishop Gregory Aymond presided at a prayer service atop the Krauss apartments. Deacon Martin Gutierrez, chief operating officer of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans, assisted at the Mass. “This was a special moment,” Deacon Gutierrez said.