Diocese offers financial assistance and hope to tornado victims
August 13, 2024
The deafening roar of a tornado as it destroys your home can shake the strongest of people.
But those in the Diocese of Des Moines who suffered from two destructive twisters this spring have felt something even stronger than those howling, horrifying winds: the loving embrace of Catholics near and far.
After Minden and Shelby County were hit April 26 followed by Greenfield on May 21, the 80 parishes of the Diocese raised about $125,000 to replace lost appliances, beds, clothes, and other essentials.
That collection raised something else: the spirits of those who suffered from the storms.
One day this summer, Minden resident Jennifer McDermott was having a particularly sad day. Her home had been destroyed and her mother’s was damaged. Rebuilding had been a struggle.
Then her cellphone rang. On the other end was Humility Sister Jude Fitzpatrick, senior advisor to Bishop William Joensen.
“I think she put the hope in me. I didn’t have much,” McDermott said. “She just really turned things around for me that day.”
Jennifer and Jeremy McDermott, and Jennifer’s mother, Judy Jensen, are among those who will be helped.
As the tornado swept through Minden, the McDermotts and their 21-year-old son, Kaden, raced to their shelter in the basement. As they emerged from the shelter a few minutes later, Jennifer approached the basement stairs, looked up, and saw the sky.
Their home was damaged beyond repair: A beam in the garage was gone and its foundation shifted; the bicycles were gone; the roof was gone; kitchen appliances were damaged; and a car was totaled.
Their parish, St. Patrick in Neola, responded in force.
Immediately after the tornado, people in and around Neola brought supplies to the community center. Supplies were gathered at the United Church of Christ in Minden, too.
It was humbling for Jennifer to go to her parish and get a few needed items.
“I was so amazed by that organization, but a part of me had a different feeling. I’m a giver. I love to give. I love to entertain. I love to make people happy. Sometimes, for people like that, it’s kind of hard to take.”
Sister Jude has been working to identify people like the McDermotts who could use some of the funds gathered with the collections. Jennifer had heard that the Diocese was dispersing financial support and applied online.
The McDermotts will be able to get a new refrigerator, dishwasher, stove, and microwave with dollars donated in the special collections.
As the McDermotts build a new home, they are living temporarily with Jennifer’s mother, Judy Jensen. Her home suffered damage to the roof, the siding, and windows that sprayed a basement carpet in glass. The family used to gather in the basement to watch TV and relax, but they haven’t because the TV was damaged.
Parishioners who contributed to the special collection are helping Jensen get a new television. Once new carpet is installed, the family will be able to gather in the evenings to relax and watch TV together.
One can hear progress with the sound of tools and trucks in Minden these days. Local contractor Randy Ring of R&T Construction is framing the McDermotts’ new home. At other homes, new windows are going in, roofs are being repaired or replaced, and new siding is going up.
Jennifer encourages people to continue their support.
“Don’t stop checking in on us,” she said. “It’s going to take time for our town to rebuild.”
In an email to Jennifer, Sister Jude said, “I do hope that each day brings a little ray of hope and that you are experiencing God in the midst of it all.”
“I’ve been overwhelmed with receiving what the Diocese has done. They’re really trying to work hard and reach out to people like us who’ve been through this,” Jennifer said. “Keep remembering what we’ve been through. Keep the prayers going because it’s going to take time to recover.”
Do you or someone you know need assistance in recovery from these storms? Head to catholiccharitiesdm.org/disaster-relief/ to apply for Catholic Charities Disaster Relief Assistance.
Jennifer and Jeremy McDermott's home in Minden was destroyed. The family is grateful for financial assistance from a special diocesan collection for tornado victims, and for the hope that Sister Jude Fitzpatrick offered.