Catholic Charities case manager Karina Gonzalez speaks with several children during the Dec. 10, 2025 dedication of a new home for their family, who lost theirs exactly four years ago in the 2021 tornadoes. COURTESY OF STACEY MENSER
Four years later: Catholic Charities marks tornado anniversary with new home dedication for survivors
BY STACEY MENSER AND WKC STAFF
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Owensboro marked the four-year anniversary of the deadly Dec. 10, 2021 tornado by dedicating a new home for survivors in Mayfield, Kentucky.
Fr. Basilio Az Cuc of St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah offered a blessing over the home of Petrona Perez Pelico and her young family. The home was built through a partnership with Catholic Charities and Christian Public Service, an organization that allows young men of the Mennonite faith to give six months of their lives serving others.
Catholic Charities director Susan Montalvo-Gesser led the home dedication ceremony on Dec. 10, 2025, surrounded by her staff and the volunteers from Christian Public Service.
According to Carmen Alvarez, Pelico’s former ESL tutor, Pelico was badly injured when her home was destroyed by the 2021 tornado. Her injuries prevented her from returning to work for nearly a year.
“I thank every one of you that have made it possible for Petrona and her family to receive this house,” said Alvarez. “They are very deserving of it and I am sure that she and her children will make many, many wonderful memories in it. To all of you that made this possible, thank you for your generosity and dedication and for leaving a memorable part of your life here in Mayfield, may God bless you tenfold.”
Catholic Charities continues to serve families across western Kentucky impacted by the Dec. 10, 2021 tornado as they rebuild their lives and homes. The partnership with Christian Public Service will continue into the new year with new homes to be complete by June.
Fr. Basilio Az Cuc, parochial vicar of St. Thomas More Parish in Paducah, sprinkles the Perez Pelico family with holy water while blessing their new home on Dec. 10, 2025. COURTESY OF STACEY MENSER
Originally printed in the January 2026 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
