St. Anthony Cathedral In Beaumont

Today, I attended the Sunday Mass at my church, St. Anne Catholic Church in Beaumont. Thank God it survived the hurricane.

St. Anthony Cathedral wasn't as lucky. The Beaumont Enterprise reports:


Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Damage from Hurricane Rita is visible at St. Anthony Cathedral in Beaumont on Monday, September 26. Hurricane Rita tore through the area on Saturday, September 24, 2005.

Hurricane Rita's winds blew off the covering atop the St. Anthony Cathedral dome in downtown Beaumont and rain poured into the sanctuary below.

Plastic sheeting and fans were set up inside as cleaning crews worked to dry out earlier this week. The dome had been covered last weekend.

Rita's winds and rain didn't spare historical structures when the Category 3 hurricane battered Southeast Texas and Southwest Louisiana on Sept. 24.

Crews from the Texas Historical Commission came to the area last week to start documenting the damage to historical spots in Rita's path, Debbi Head, Texas Historical Commission spokeswoman, said by phone.

"Our main intent is to ensure that during the cleaning that historically significant structures aren't further damaged or razed," Head said.

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During the first mass I attended at the Cathedral, I couldn't stop myself from looking around and absorbing the artwork. It's really gorgeous.


Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Monsignor Richard DeStafano prays over a monstrance blessed by Pope John Paul II during mass at St. Anthony Cathedral in Beaumont on Tuesday, August 23, 2005. The monstrance is on display at the cathedral for 24 hours. It holds the blessed sacrament for communion.