Wednesday 08 March, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Church of Scientology International
Mr. Pascal Cottier
mediarelationsdir@scientology.net
Phone: (323) 960-3500
NEW ORLEANS DIGNITARIES OPEN CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY MISSION ON CANAL STREET
It seemed like Mardi Gras all over again, when a Dixieland jazz band led a procession into the newly reopened Church of Scientology Mission of New Orleans on Saturday. Gretna Mayor Ronnie Harris, Don Hutchinson, the Economic Development Director for the City of New Orleans and Commander Mark Dupuis of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Department joined local Scientologists to celebrate the occasion.
This Scientology Mission has a special significance to residents and officials of New Orleans and neighboring towns, as it is a reminder of the help hundreds of Scientology Volunteer Ministers brought to the area when two of the worst hurricanes in the history of the region hit the city in rapid succession.
Director of Economic Development for the City of New Orleans, Mr. Don Hutchinson, recounted how Scientology Volunteer Ministers drove through the storm to offer him their help at the disaster command center at the Hyatt Hotel just hours before Hurricane Rita hit land.
In his speech, Mr. Dupuis stated that he was impressed with the energy with which the Volunteer Ministers tackled the debris and flooding, and the way they cut through red tape to get to the Parish’s first responders and help them. He thanked those who came from Scientology churches around the world to assist the people of New Orleans in the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, for caring for the people of his city and doing whatever it took to change things for the better.
Last summer the Mission had set an October 2005 date for the Grand Opening of their newly renovated Canal Street premises, but like the plans of so many of their neighbors, these were dramatically interrupted when Hurricane Katrina devastated the city in August. Mission staff, eager to once more open their doors and deliver services to parishioners and the community at large, enthusiastically tackled the job of restoring the building after the storm.
The honored guests joined Stephanie Fielding, the Executive Director of the New Orleans Mission, Ms. Cathy Steiner, the Mission Director and Kelley Keeney, Assistant Mission Director, for the ribbon cutting.
The Mission is located at 3524 Canal Street, New Orleans, LA. and can be reached at 504-484-3454 or by e-mailing them at neworleans@scientology.net
Mission hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00pm — 10:00pm. Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm and Sunday 10:00am — 1:00pm.
All are welcome.
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