Nearly a thousand Scientology Volunteer Ministers from around the United States and from as far away as Argentina flew in to New Orleans, Baton Rouge and other towns in Louisiana and Mississippi last summer to help the local residents recover from the shocking effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

Katrina also laid waste to the Church of Scientology Mission of New Orleans.  

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers web site carries a story today about the Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology Mission of New Orleans this week.  Here’s an excerpt from the story.

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.