Sheriff’s Office volunteers keep Our Lady of Guadalupe sparkling

June 22, 2020

By Clarion Herald Staff
Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s Special Reserve Deputy Unit (SRDU) has played a central role in cleaning and sanitizing Our Lady of Guadalupe Church and the International Shrine of St. Jude on N. Rampart Street.

The church and shrine are the official chapel of the New Orleans Police Department and the New Orleans Fire Department, and members of the Special Reserve Deputy Unit have a deep connection to the church and grotto.

“That is why (the unit) took on the responsibility of helping the church and shrine get past the pandemic as safely as possible,” Gusman said.

Beginning in mid-April and every two weeks since then, volunteers have sanitized the church and shrine, using their own equipment and cleaning supplies.

The volunteer teams are led by Special Reserve Deputy Carlos Ayesta, Major Jude Miorana and Chief Craig McGehee, an advisor to the SRDU who is also a parishioner of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

“Keeping the coronavirus at bay is part of the SRDU’s mission on behalf of other first responders, the parishioners and the general public,” McGehee said.

Oblate Father Anthony Rigoli, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, said he was thankful for the help.

“During times like these, we are blessed with many wonderful acts of kindness,” he said. “I want to extend a special thanks to Sheriff Gusman and all the members of the SRDU for their care and concern for our safety and well-being.”