The tornado that touched down Feb. 21 in the western Georgia community of Cedartown left one man dead and the town in darkness with homes, businesses and churches destroyed.

St. Bernadette’s Church, however, escaped damage according to Father Dan Stack. The pastor was celebrating Mass with the Hispanic members of the parish when sirens announced the tornado.

Since the church facilities do not have a tornadoproof shelter, Father Stack told the congregation he would continue distributing Communion before dismissing them. By the time Mass was over, the tornado had done its worst and had gone, leaving power lines down, trees uprooted, buildings damaged and nearly three dozen residents hurt. One Catholic family lost the roofing of their home, but Father Stack said no one else in the parish suffered major damage.

With a group of volunteers he was out the next day with power saw in hand, making pathways through the downed trees. In the meantime, Samaritan House, an emergency food pantry and referral service sponsored by the Ministerial Association of Cedartown, expanded its hours to meet the needs of tornado victims.

Fifty to 60 volunteers made sandwiches and assembled bag lunches for distribution to power and telephone company workers and families without light or heat. Diane Hall, director of Samaritan House and member of St. Bernadette’s, said the agency would continue to provide its extended service past the one-month period during which the Red Cross is also helping with emergency needs.