First post-Ike Mass celebrated on Bolivar Peninsular
By JONAH DYCUS
Herald Staff Writer
 PORT BOLIVAR – Last September, Hurricane Ike left a path of destruction that impacted every family on Bolivar Peninsula. As residents continue to recover and rebuild their lives following the devastating storm, a comforting sign of hope emerged recently as Mass was held on the peninsula for the first time since Ike ravaged the region 10 months ago.
Father John Bok, O.F.M., of St. Patrick Church in Galveston and pastor of the newly-announced parish community encompassing Bolivar Peninsula and Galveston Island, celebrated the July 12 Mass at Crenshaw Elementary and Middle School.
“This is really a historic day. We are bringing the Eucharist back to the peninsula,” Father Bok told the congregation at the start of Mass. “We are all being called to be a Catholic family, and we will succeed in that.”
According to an agreement between the Galveston-Houston archdiocese and Galveston ISD, Masses will be held at the school every weekend, a least for the next three months. While no formal time-line has been established, a new facility for worship will be constructed on Crystal Beach within the year.
 Although 50 were expected to attend the first post-Ike Mass, more than 80 faithful participated. Many former residents and supporters took the ferry from Galveston Island to be present.
It was an emotional reunion for those in attendance, some having not seen each other since Ike dismantled the area.
Linda Bradford lost most of her home to Ike. As a former member of St. Therese of Lisieux, she was concerned about the archdiocese’s support of those affected in the area. However, she has been very encouraged by recent developments. “To be able to come back is very exciting,” she said. “We are just glad to be back at church. The fact they will be putting up a multi-purpose building (in the area) is great.”
Shortly before Mass, Debbie and John Magliolo, former members of St. Therese also, greeted friends into the worship space with warm embraces. The retired couple lost their home and all of their belongings to Ike – with the exception of their automobiles and three days of clothes. They currently live in Dickinson, but long to return home. “We miss it here, we miss our friends,” Debbie Magliolo said. “It just really hard, because you lose everything – your church, your house, your friends.”
 Celebrating Mass again on the peninsula was welcome news for them. “Today, this is the first time I have come across (on the ferry) with some kind of happiness in my heart. This is home to me,” Debbie Magliolo said.
Mark Hunstiger of Our Mother of Mercy Church said he and his family were displaced from their home in Bolivar for three months. He considers himself luckier than most. “For the first 30 days, when we didn’t even know if we had a house, faith is what carried us through,” he stated.
Like the others filling the worship space at Crenshaw, he is thrilled to see liturgy return to the peninsula. “I don’t care if Church is being held on a beach, in a forest, at a school or in a church … I’m just so happy we can attend Mass here again.”
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