John Martignoni's Town Destroyed By Tornados

[TimothyH]

I put this in the Apologetics - Sacred Scripture forum becuase many of us are fans of John Martignoni. John is an awsome apologist for the Catholic faith and his apologetics are heavily rooted in sacred scripture.

John’s home town of Pleasant Grove, Alabama was wiped out by tornadoes on Wednesday. I pray for his safety and all those in Pleasant Grove and across the south.

Here is a picture of what is left of John’s town…

foxnews.com/slideshow/us/2011/04/28/deadly-storms-tear-south/#slide=13foxnews.com/slideshow/us/2011/04/28/deadly-storms-tear-south/#slide=13

-Tim-

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[valentino]

I can’t help but believe that God is trying to tell America and all nations that He’s is not pleased with them.We know from the OT how God caused plagues,floods,and all sorts of natural disasters when the Isrealites refuse to obey His commands.We should view these things as a warning and a preclude to things to come if we don’t mend our ways and turn back to God.The sin of abortion above all which is sweeping all nations is horrendous to God and we must put an end to this kind of sin and others.How long is man going to continue not to recognize God and His concerns in the affairs of man?

 

[franny50]

Natural disasters are nothing more than nature out of control.Not every disaster is due to Gods vengence.All the same,it was a very sad thing that happened and I am praying for those effected by the tornado.May god give them peace and watch over them.I also hope Obama acts quicker than bush did in bringing aid to the areas effected.

 

[Fidelis]

More on topic, it appears John and his family are fine. Here is a report found on another site:

Posted by Tim Drake on Friday, Apr 29, 2011 5:01 PM (EDT):

I just spoke with John Pepe, manager of affiliate relations for EWTN Radio, and John Martignoni and his family are doing fine. The radio station that he operates, WQOH in Birmingham, however, has been off-the-air since the storm because of a lack of power. Continue to keep everyone in the area in your prayers.

ncregister.com/daily-news/super-storm/

Praise God for any good news we receive from that region; pray for all the victims and everyone adversely affected by these tragedies.

 

[TimothyH]

Received from John on Saturday morning…

***Thanks for he prayers, and please keep them coming for the folks of Pleasant Grove. Our family suffered no injury or property damage, nor did the Bible Christian Society office - which the tornado missed by about 1/10 of a mile. But just down the road is utter devastation - I’ve never seen anything like it.

God bless!

John***

Praise God and keep on praying.

-Tim-

 

[valentino]

Natural disasters are nothing more than nature out of control.Not every disaster is due to Gods vengence.All the same,it was a very sad thing that happened and I am praying for those effected by the tornado.May god give them peace and watch over them.I also hope Obama acts quicker than bush did in bringing aid to the areas effected.

God can control anything that happens and He can allow anything that happens.When a tornado occurs He allows it.He knows its happening.

 

[thomasf]

Just because He allows it doesn’t mean it’s ‘punishment’. Sometimes things just happen.

That goes for the ‘God is punishing us’ crowd as well as the ‘it’s global warming’ crowd.

 

[Rolltide]

Let me also add that I live in Tuscaloosa, and my wife and I are personally fine. However, our town is devastated beyond virtually all comprehension. Even the horrific pictures on the news do not do it justice. Almost 1 in 5 people in our town of 100,000 are homeless. Dozens are dead. One of my students was killed, the family that made the cakes for my wedding several years ago was killed, and I have a number of co-workers who are homeless. I watched the tornado miss my house by about 1/4 of a mile with my own eyes, and then plow straight through the busiest and most important areas of the city. We have a massive relieve effort underway, but I would request that if you can help our city, or ANY of the regions in the South that were devastated, that you please investigate a way to do so.

 

[valentino]

Just because He allows it doesn’t mean it’s ‘punishment’. Sometimes things just happen.

That goes for the ‘God is punishing us’ crowd as well as the ‘it’s global warming’ crowd.

Right it does necessarily mean it’s punishment.We all have to go sometime.if we die in a car accident it doesn’t mean its punishment.I’ve never heard that as a reason for global warming but I guess maybe somebody may have said that.

 

[Abba]

Dear Roltide,

I am glad to learn you and your wife are well. Praying for the people of Alabama.

---

This website gives information on contacts to volunteer, drop off donations and donate funds:

magiccitypost.com/2011/04/27/tornadoes-kill-dozens-across-alabama-now-is-the-time-to-help/

1. Cash donations: Donate to the Birmingham chapter of the Red Cross for the Alabama Tornado Relief fund. The donation box is shown above.
   • Red Cross: Send the text message “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
   • Red Cross: Donate at any Regions Bank branch.
   • Governor’s Tornado Relief Fund: Donate online or mail a check to Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund, Box 1523, Montgomery, AL 36102.
   • Salvation Army: Send the text message “GIVE” to 80888 to make a $10 donation.
   • Salvation Army: Send checks to The Salvation Army Disaster Relief, Box 100339, Atlanta, GA 30384-0339.
   • Southern Baptist Convention: Donate online.
   • Greater Birmingham Humane Society: Donate online.
   • United Way Tornado Disaster Fund: Send the text message “TORNADO” to 50555 to make a $10 donation or donate online.

p.s. I did not find any Catholic organizations that are accepting donations.

 

[Rolltide]

In Tuscaloosa, you can help Holy Spirit Catholic Church, or St. Francis Catholic Church on the University of Alabama Campus.

Holy Spirit Catholic Church: 205-553-9733
St. Francis Catholic Church: 205-758-5672

Holy Spirit is providing specialized services to the relatively large Hispanic community in Tuscaloosa. I know that they are in need of translators, although a group of translators from the Los Angeles Police Department arrived there today.