METAIRIE, La. – Snow isn’t something you hear much about in Louisiana, but a group of nuns recently had an experience they won’t forget anytime soon. Their prayers for snow were answered in a way that left everyone talking.
The story begins with three Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia, who are new to St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Parish in Metairie, a suburb of New Orleans. As December rolled in, so did the typical Louisiana weather—humid, muggy, and a balmy 75 degrees. It was hardly the scene for a white Christmas.
Before their Christmas break, a parishioner, Kristine Cerniglia, overheard talk of snow prayers. One of the sisters, hopeful as ever, even encouraged her middle school students to pray to various patron saints for a snowfall.
Fast forward to Tuesday, and the Gulf Coast was gearing up for a winter storm unlike any other. In fact, it was the worst storm the area had seen in over 120 years and even led to Louisiana’s first-ever Blizzard Warning.
When the snow finally came, it transformed New Orleans. Palm trees stood covered in white, and the normally bustling streets of the Big Easy came to a halt. But amidst the unusual sight of snow in Louisiana, there was a heartwarming moment of pure joy.
The three nuns, thrilled to see their prayers answered, swapped their usual routines for snowball fights. Their opponent? Rev. Tim Hedrick, a fellow priest from the parish, who didn’t hesitate to join in the fun.
It wasn’t Hedrick’s first weather-related adventure. He’s known for making the best of challenging situations, including playing tackle football during Hurricane Ida. “When disasters hit, it’s good to do something fun to lift people’s spirits,” he said. And this snowy showdown seemed to do just that.
While Louisiana enjoyed its rare winter wonderland, the rest of the country experienced a mix of weather patterns. According to meteorologists, the winter season is already halfway over, and it’s been relatively mild for many areas. However, some regions, including the southern Plains, mid-South, and Ohio Valley, have seen much more snow than usual.
Memphis, Tennessee, has been a standout, with 7.5 inches of snow so far—over ten times its average for this time of year.
As for Louisiana, the record-breaking snowfall may have brought disruptions, but it also brought a moment of joy and laughter to a parish community that will likely be talking about it for years to come. Sometimes, all it takes is a little snow to create memories that warm the heart.
