Charles City parish, school hold festival

Community comes together despite flooding problems

By Kelly Sweet

Special to The Witness

CHARLES CITY — Charles City experienced heavy rains on Wednesday night (Sept. 21). The results were washed out roads, lots of homes with water in their basements, including Immaculate Conception School. All Charles City schools were cancelled Thursday and Friday.

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Many businesses closed in order to help with the resulting cleanup and sandbagging and prevention of flooding from the river cresting on Sunday morning (Sept. 25). Charles City also asked residents not to flush, shower, etc. during the weekend because of a problem with the city’s sewage system pump. People in the community and surrounding communities worked tirelessly to help one another and the community as a whole.

So, the festival was a welcome break from all the work done and yet to be done. This year a new location had been chosen for the event. It was being held at Gilbert’s Sale Yard in Floyd, Iowa, instead of in Charles City. What’s so great about that? Well, flushing toilets are a luxury we take for granted. Father Mayer told the crowd that the cost of use was only a quarter a flush, because after all, this was a fundraiser. He was joking of course, but I think people would have actually paid more.

It does seem a bit providential that the event had been planned for Floyd since it has always been in Charles City. God is good and takes care of our every need. For a few hours, many people enjoyed a break in the midst of their troubles and work, in order to worship and praise God together, enjoy the company of others and dine together and to reflect upon the goodness in our community and world. Because God is bigger than a flood and we sometimes need to be reminded of that.

PHOTO: Adults and children from Immaculate Conception Parish and School in Charles City engage in arts, crafts and other activities. The parish and school celebrated their annual IC Fun Festival and Carnival on Saturday, Sept. 24. (Contributed photo)

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