Monthly Archives: January 2013

Today I write to all of you asking for prayers.

Father Jerzy, my mentor throughout my whole religious life, who was the best friend of my vocation and my spiritual Father died today in Warsaw, Poland. He lifted me up during difficult times, called me to conversion and growth in faith. He was a gentle and patient confessor, with a love that was the reflection of God’s love. He listened and advised, always staying in the shadow, so that my relationship with Jesus would always be first. It was from Father Jerzy that I learned who God is and how I can find Him in the reality of my life.

Today he went to the Father’s House.

I cannot express how much I miss you Father Jerzy….See you in heaven!
Sister Inga

Ks. Jerzy Dziurzyński,
January 5, 1928 – January 13, 2013

“They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us, utter destruction.
But they are in peace.
For if to others, indeed, they seem punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
Chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.
As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.” Wisdom 3:2-6

Yesterday, on January 11 in the afternoon, there was a fatal car accident on the road that leads to Jacmel. We have driven on this road many times. A medical mission team was on their way from Grand Rapids, MI. when 4 people from the team were killed in the crash. The group has been here many times before. It is impossible in a human way to understand how such a tragedy can happen, so we look for some consolation in God’s Word.

This morning we heard that the remaining members of the team spent the night here in Jacmel at the CLUNY Sisters retreat house, we wanted to go and extend our sympathy, prayers and presence. But we got word that they left for Port au Prince at 7 a.m. Our thoughts and prayers accompany them and their families.

On January 12, 2010 there was a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the country of Haiti and hundreds of thousands of people died. Today, three years later the country struggles from the aftermath of such a natural disaster. There are many people who still do not have homes and living in very poor conditions.

Today we participated in the Celebration of the Eucharist with Bishop Launay Saturne in a small village called Light in the mountains. We remembered those who died in the earthquake and also celebrated the blessing of new homes that were built by Caritas funded by Ireland. Before the final blessing the people who received new homes presented gifts of gratitude and appreciation to the members of Caritas and to the Bishop, the gifts were the fruits of the earth. After Mass there was a ceremony where the homes were blest and people were given keys to their new homes. You will see in one of the photos a couple who now have a new home of their own. Being present for this was better than watching the Extreme Makeover!

This week all the priests in the Diocese of Jacmel are on their annual retreat. We have been on our own cooking our own meals. Until now neither of us have had many opportunities to cook. We are discovering our new talents for cooking with Haitian products and vegetables. It is challenging because we cannot always find the ingredients we are used to getting in a grocery store. But believe it or not, we are coming up with some good recipes.

The main vegetable we use and like is eggplant “berejèn”. Monday we had berejèn with pieces of chicken. On Tuesday we had berejèn and zucchini over fried brie cheese. On Wednesday we had potato pancakes topped with berejèn, carrots, peppers and onions. Today we will be cooking spaghetti with berejèn and tomato sauce.

We look forward to you coming to visit us and to share our healthy meals.

Living at Sacred Heart Parish we see and hear how people get involved in worship for the Sunday Masses. Everyday we hear a choir practice from different groups, the children, youth, or adults. Choir practices is very important, they usually last a few hours and so do the Masses.

Last Sunday we attended Mass in the Bishop’s chapel and a new choir was introduced, the first ever men’s chorale. After Mass, the Bishop invited the members of the choir, their sponsors, families and us to his house for a reception.

Claire and Gail are two young adults we met three weeks ago at St. Michael’s parish. Sunday we met them again and they expressed a desire to come and pray with us when we move into our new home. Even though where we are presently live our hosts are very gracious, we still cannot wait to have our own Felician home.

Our new teacher is Jacques Africot. He is married and has one daughter. Jacques is the director of an orphanage near Jacmel where there are 12 children. He says he has 13 children God has given him to take care of. He comes to us by taxi, this means by motorcycle, five days a week. We feel like little children back in school reading simple primary books and stories. This is a very good way to keep learning new words. “Unless you become like little children…”

During the earthquake on January 12, 2010 the Missionaries of Charities here in Jacmel lost their home. For three years they lived in a makeshift barricks. In a few days they will move into their new home that was built by a construction company from the Dominican Republic which uses different
materials and techniques that are earthquake resistant. We are learning from different religious communities what are the necessary things to have for your home in Haiti, like bars on the windows, water tanks, generator, and steel doors. Below are pictures from our visit with them.

Sometimes we have to stop our prayer or activities because by our feet we have unwelcome visitors. We don’t have enough knowledge yet which are dangerous which are friendly. For this reason he lost his life.

Last night we went to the building that is now the worship space of the Cathedral of Sts. James and Philip. The cathedral of Jacmel was severely damaged in the earthquake and cannot be used. We participated in 2 1/2 hours of charismatic prayer and Eucharistic adoration. We were moved by the faith of the people and the solemnity of the Eucharistic procession. Slowly but surely we are beginning to understand more of what is being prayed and preached.