September 15, 2010

Boulder parish organizes Fourmile Canyon fire victim help
Fire causes Sacred Heart School closing, family evacuations

By Anna Maria Basquez

When Boulder County Sheriff deputies and Boulder Mountain Fire Protection District officials appeared on Michelle Murphy-Pauletto’s doorstep last week to tell her family to evacuate their home near Fourmile Canyon, she and her husband made one last request of their three children after most of the rushed packing was done.

“We told each of them, ‘Go get what’s special to you,’” Murphy-Pauletto said, recalling the day she and her husband Randy first saw the smoke billowing heavily through the canyon. “I have to tell you, my 9-year-old grabbed his rosary and forgot his soccer stuff.

“That…,” said Murphy-Pauletto, trailing off as she was moved to tears, “that really was the clarifying moment of what is so important in life. He forgot his soccer stuff … and remembered his rosary. It was very sweet.”

The gesture by her son Ben helped her to refocus spiritually in a time of uncertainty, she said.

Murphy-Pauletto, a long-term substitute teacher at Sacred Heart of Jesus School in Boulder, and her husband Randy, who works for an agricultural company, moved into a hotel temporarily, three children and dog in tow. They stayed out what would become the worst fire in Colorado’s history, destroying at least 166 homes and 6,427 acres by press time. By week’s end, Sacred Heart of Jesus School had to be closed for one day as the evacuation zone inched toward the school of 400.

The family had been ordered on Monday, Sept. 6 to vacate the home they spent the last five months renovating and had moved into one week prior. While they were able to return back to their undamaged home on Saturday, the enormity of the situation hit home.

“That’s when you know you can only control what you can control and after that you have to let it go,” Murphy-Pauletto said. “We really just had to let it go. It makes you crazy if you try to control things you can’t.”

Murphy-Pauletto told her experience as a resident of Pine Brook Hills while she was on her way in for 10 a.m. Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Boulder on Sunday.

At that Mass, Father Bill Breslin, pastor of Sacred Heart, asked parishioners and people they know who may have been displaced or affected by the fire to call the parish center to request help. He also asked parishioners who want to be contacted to help those impacted by the fire now and in future months to sign up with the church contact list.

“In a few months, after all the dust settles, the fire victims will still need assistance,” Father Breslin said. “They may be settling into new homes or running out of money to purchase other items.  The holidays may be a time where they need our help both financially and spiritually.  

“Perhaps we can help a family who needs an end table or pots and pans in their new home,” he said.

While Murphy-Pauletto’s home was spared, she knows not everyone met the same end.

“There’s some guilt for all those people who suffered such a great loss,” she said.

Father Breslin said his church and community is offering a spiritual home for people whose lives have been disrupted by fire.

The church and school officials decided on Friday to close the parish school for the day as the evacuation-area border was one block west of the school and fire officials advised the school to be prepared to evacuate at any time.

“An added concern for us (was) that our school with 400 children and Casey Middle School right across the street from our school, with 300-plus children would face a juggernaut if we tried to evacuate at the same time,” Father Breslin said. “There is an isolated community of homes whose only exit is by both of our schools.”

By the weekend, the fire had not come over the mountain and into the city. The pastor re-opened the school on Monday.

Mary Bartsch, principal at Sacred Heart of Jesus School, said a number students’ families had to be evacuated. She was unaware at press time if any parishioners or students and their families had total losses of a home.

“The school and community itself has gathered together clothing, food and gift certificates for families in need,” Bartsch said. “Our community has really come together. I had families open up their homes to help fellow students and families. Even our preschoolers were making cards for firefighters.”

Murphy-Pauletto said she sought solace spiritually in her position as a substitute teacher for a Catholic school.

“First, you’re trying to survive, then it’s really emotional,” she said. “It was a very good lesson in the spiritual life to stay focused. I think these moments are teaching moments in our lives.”

Grateful the family was able to return to their house Saturday, Murphy-Pauletto said the firefighters and sheriff’s office were diligent and informative about getting her family back home.

“I never felt frustrated because they didn’t let us go back up,” she said. “We were just so thankful they were taking care of our house.”

Father Breslin in the week’s parish bulletin recommended parishioners either donate gift certificates for area restaurants for people who have been displaced or offer homes or give money to a fund being set up for people to have emergency assistance while they wait to have access to insurance money.

“Pray,” he urged. “Pray like you’ve never prayed before. If you’ve lost your Bible, come to the parish center. We’ll give you one. Don’t forget the power of the rosary.”

HELP
To help, or Boulder residents impacted by the fire seeking help, may call Sacred Heart of Jesus at 303-442-6158 Ext. 116.