In churches, especially in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes, the spill weeks ago found its way into every message and homily, as pastors seek to give it meaning, encourage parishioners in the face of hardship, or summon them to good works.

And the Council on American-Islamic Relations asked Muslims around the country this week to include special prayers for oil spill relief in their Friday worship services.

"You hate to beat a dead horse," said the Rev. John Arnone, who pastors two Catholic parishes in St. Bernard, one of them with a substantial number of hard-hit fishing families. "You've got to mention it, even though it's on everybody's mind. You don't want to wear them down, but we have to be mindful that we are here to support one another. That's why I keep doing it."

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Source: Nola.com