Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

“When I call, answer me, O my just God, you who relieve me when I am in distress; Have pity on me, and hear my prayer!” Ps. 4

Yesterday I had the privilege to visit some of our kids homes. They live in small communities, almost on top of each other, 5,6,7 in a space, some sleeping on the floor. I saw fires where women were bent over boiling water, some cabbage or other vegetable, leaves for spices. They were all so proud to welcome me, happy that I would visit them. This is all they know. They are in community. God takes care of them. I was a small spark that was visiting, sharing, praying. I think I got more out of it then they. For me, in my life experience, for what does salt serve? Is my community salt? For me, what does light signify in my life? How am I, we a community of light? I saw this community want their kids to come to us for catechesis, lessons, bread. I see light and flavor, help us all be faithful to that.

On Sunday, June 7 we celebrated the Birthday’s of everyone who works in the mission! we have a blest community!

Saint John Paul II reminded us that the Church “does not only celebrate the Eucharist but solemnly bears it in procession, publicly proclaiming that the sacrifice of Christ is for the salvation of the whole world.”

Today in Haiti we celebrate the beautiful feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. After the beautiful Mass and excellent homily by Bishop Erick Glandas the Eucharistic procession began. The Felician Mission was the first station.

Preparations began the day before with cleaning up the street. Then early in the morning before dawn we began to set up.

The procession was filled with First Holy Communion children and those who received Confirmation in May.

Emmanuel, God with us in the streets and among God’s people!

We have a saying that we learned from our friends at St. James, North Miami: “This is what we do.” This means we serve where needed, just as our foundress, Mother Angela, also said.

Paulette and Alin and Mamara met with with teens and young adults last Thursday and Friday to share the journey of faith in our world today.

Monsignor CJ gifts us with Eucharist everyday!

Monsignor and Alin are giving our playground a new paint job for a new look!

Paulette went with the Mother Angela Clinic for the day.

On Thursday, May 28, our Miami friends made a visit to the construction site of the bakery. Things are moving forward, but at a slower speed than expected. There was a problem with getting cement to Jacmel. Today seems as though there is work in progress,and this is a good thing.

It is with great joy and blessings that we welcome to the Felician Haiti Mission Monsignor Chanel Jeanty, Paulette and Alin Lacroix, and Mamara Cadet. We met them when we lived at St. James Parish in North Miami, Florida. The ministry we shared with God’s people was a gift and grace from God.

They are here to see and experience the mission in action but also to meet with our Faith Formation teens and young adults.

On Wednesday, May 27, the Felician Mission celebrated a memorial Mass for Fabiola Etienne. She died at the age of 22, after a two-month illness. She suffered complications after childbirth. Due to the poor health conditions here in Haiti, no doctor was able to treat her high blood pressure and heart condition. The funeral was outside of the city far away and our young people could not participate.

We met Fabiola when she was a young teenager in 2013, when we first arrived in Jacmel. She participated in our tutoring program and sang in our choir when we lived in our first house. After that, we moved to the current mission site, and we lost touch with Fabiola. However, we were always in contact with her mother and brother. Fabiola was smart and did well in school; and she graduated from high school. Two months ago she became the mother of a little boy.

Family and friends participated in the memorial Mass, about 50 participants in all.

After Mass, we had the sharing of memories.

On Saturday, May 23, at 8 p.m. the young adult ministry at the Haiti Mission gathered for prayer for the Vigil of Pentecost. The young adults prepared the sacred space and even the food for the Agape meal after the 3-hour vigil.

The Pentecost Vigil began at the grotto of Mary, after the example of the Apostles and disciples, who with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevered in prayer, awaiting the Spirit promised by the Lord. We then processed to the activity center with lighted candles, like them, to listen with quiet hearts to the Word of God. The young adults took turns in preparing an admonition before each Scriptural reading on how many great deeds God in times past did for his people praying that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as the first fruits for those who believe, may bring to perfection his work in the world.