Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

We keep the tradition here in Haiti!

The afternoon was quiet still when all gathered at 3 p.m. for the celebration of the Passion. The Word of God was proclaimed, the intercessions for the world prayed, the showing of the holy cross was adored. All then received Holy Communion.

How do we respond differently to all this, how can we respond with love and mercy like Jesus shows us today? Jesus never fought back, he allowed the violence to touch him. “In a time like ours, so torn by hatred and violence, where even the name of God is invoked to justify wars and decisions of death, we Christians are called to approach the Cross of the Lord. We are to do so without fear and with full confidence, knowing that the “throne” from which one learns to reign, is that where we placing our lives at the service of others.” Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap

It began early in the morning when the city gathered beneath the cross.

Our kids from Faith formation gathered with us in their yellow and blue shirts to pray the Stations of the Cross.

We adore you Christ and we praise you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Jesus continues to stoop, to wash us, to serve us, to sanctify us, and to love us through the priesthood and the Eucharist.

We began with a simple prayer service remembering how Jesus gathered his disciples on this day. We listened Word of God, shared how we wash other’s feet here in the mission, broke bread and shared the cup of wine. Let us remember we re called to love and respect one another and all who come to the Felician Mission.

Today Sister Inga, Fritz, Gaelle and Tchery went to the market to purchase soap and toilet paper. All the church’s in Jacmel have been asked to donate to the Jacmel prison the needed items. We also will be giving 5 buckets and filters for clean water which they do not have. Another opportunity to be about the ministry of presence. In the afternoon the coordinator of the project took the soap and paper to the prison.

On Sunday, March 29 long before dawn the lecture, palms, podium and microphone was set. A last minute sweeping from the nightfall of flowers were swept and the people began to gather as the main gate was opened.

Over 300 people gathered in the mission street as they awaited solemn procession to begin.

Bishop Glandas began:

Dear brothers and sisters,
since the beginning of Lent until now
we have prepared our hearts by penance and charitable works.
Today we gather together to herald with the whole Church the beginning of the celebration of our Lord’s Paschal Mystery, that is to say, of his Passion and Resurrection. For it was to accomplish this mystery that he entered his own city of Jerusalem.
Therefore, with all faith and devotion,
let us commemorate the Lord’s entry into the city for our salvation,
following in his footsteps, so that, being made by his grace partakers of the Cross, we may have a share also in his Resurrection and in his life.

Our palms were blest and the Gospel of the triumphal entry into Jerusalem read. Like the crowds who acclaimed Jesus in Jerusalem, we began our journey in peace.

On the Tuesday before Holy Week, the faith formation classes watched different presentations sharing the story of the Triduum, the days of Jesus’ last supper, death and resurrection.

Everyone received the schedule for the services and the traditional Way of Cross in the city of Jacmel.

On Saturday, March 21, the Mother Angela Clinic celebrated 12 years of service in healing the sick in the Diocese of Jacmel. Priests from the parishes we serve and those responsible for the chapels the clinic visits were invited for Mass and a reception after.

Signs were created by Rosemarie and Fernando.

Food was prepared by Gaelle and her team of young people.

The Mass was of the day celebrated by Father Lesley a friend of the Mother Angela Clinic since its beginning.

“Wonderful!” his master replied. “You are a good and faithful servant. I left you in charge of only a little, but now I will put you in charge of much more. Come and share in my happiness!” Matthew 25:23

For he who is mighty has done good things…holy is His name!

The Mother Angela Clinic celebrates its 12th anniversary of serving where needed in the Diocese of Jacmel. Our hearts are filled with praise and joy for the many blessings God has given to the Mother Angela Clinic.

The birth of the Mother Angela Clinic was a need from God and a request from Bishop Launay Saturne in 2013,; inspiration and organization from Father Simone Francois, director of Caritas at the time; and Sister Giovanni Monge, a Felician Sister who helped us start with what we would need; and the benefactors who supported and continue to support this mission of healing. All things are possible with God, especially when it is what God wants us to do!

Our first team, Dr. Yves; Rosemani, our pharmacist; Norma our nurse; and Fritz our driver, began on March 19, 2014 at St. Anne Parish with Father Lesley in Kap Wouj. The Mother Angela Clinic was asked to serve in many places after that. Soon we needed another doctor to assist the many patients we were receiving. Doctor Wanitha Ceus joined us for a few years. After her Doctor Valcin joined us and is with us today. We have had three nurses, Norma, Clara and now Nelie who is with us for 8 years. As you can see Dr. Yves, Rosemani and Fritz have been with us for 12 years and have seen us grow.

Eight years ago, we had a teenage boy, who was asking us for help with school. We accompanied him and, after he finished high school, he told us he wanted to become a doctor to serve his people in Haiti. We did not think we could do that for him, but he kept asking us. Once again, God opened a door and made what we thought the impossible possible for him. For six years, we accompanied him though his studies to become a doctor. The young man I am speaking of today is Doctor TCheri Louis, our third doctor who works with the Mother Angela Clinic.

We could never do what we are doing if we did not have each of you accompanying us in each chapel the Mother Angela Clinic serves. Your assistance and help in preparing the chapel to meet the many patients who need a doctor and medicine is a gift from God. It is very important that the space we meet our patients in is cleaned and welcoming. We thank you for this service to God’s people. In this mission of the Mother Angela Mobil Clinic, we all are missionary disciples serving the Body of Christ.

The Felician Sisters thank you, the Mother Angela Clinic team, for your passion and dedication to the people of God in Haiti. God is faithful; God is good; God is always with us!