Monthly Archives: March 2015

🎶”Hosanna to the Son of David, the King of Israel. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!” 🎶

We were able to obtain large palms, having been gifted from the place where we were on retreat. We decorated the area where we were having the Celebration of the Eucharist. The kids helped us prepare the area for the solemn procession into our Jerusalem.

The music was prepared, the palms ready for blessing, and the Word of God invited us to process with our palms high. Sr. Inga gave a beautiful introduction for entering this Holy Week and journeying with Jesus from death to life. Sr. Marilyn cantored the psalm, “Bondye mwen, Bondye mwen, poukisa ou abandone mwen?” (“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”)

The Gospel of the passion was proclaimed in parts and everyone stood and listened in awe.

From March 27-29, we were graced with the opportunity to go on a weekend retreat in preparation for Holy Week here in Haiti. It was a graced time of solitude. We could hear the humming birds and the wind blowing through the palm trees.

We brought all who walk with us here in Haiti before the Lord. We remembered our kids and teens preparing for Baptism this Easter Vigil and all our people here in Haiti. And we prayed for peace in the world.

“When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Titus 3:4-6

On Thursday evening, March 26, we had our Chemen Kwa, Stations of the Cross, for our kids and teens. Using a power point of pictures from the movie, “The Passion of Christ,” and personal meditations that would bring our kids and teens in union with Jesus, we walked the way of the cross together.

We were wondering if this was a bit much for our little kids, but after the service we went to visit our neighbors; and one of the little boys who had been there said to us clearly, “I saw Jesus today! I saw Jesus today!”

On Wednesday, March 25, we had some heavy rain during the day, which lasted into the evening. Our little neighbors came to us, telling us that water was leaking everywhere in their little shack, especially on their bed that we just had made for them. We had a a large tarp that we had bought last year in the market. After we bought the tarp, we noticed what was written on it– USAID–and we know that the USA gives them for free. Anyway, this night the tarp was a real gift from God. We saw two of our older boys out in the rain, playing soccer, and we asked them to help us put the tarp on the roof. They found a ladder and climbed on top of the shack. We heard the tin roof creaking and were worried the wooden beams would break, but we kept praying as they finally got it covered. After that, we brought the little boys and our two older boys to the house to give them some dry t-shirts and some chocolate cupcakes. At least now our little family can stay dry during our rainy season here in Haiti. 

The schools are now having their exams, and the kids are out of school for two weeks. I guess you could call it “spring break.” When the kids don’t have school, we have them here on our grounds for different activities. We have English with the computers, bracelet making, various activities and games with our little guys.

Last week Ali, Chris and Tim brought us a new supply of crafts for fun activities. We thank them for the bracelet-making materials which our girls love, as do some of the boys. They also bought us a number of pink t-shirts which we gave to the girls in the bracelet-making club.

On Monday, March 23, the Mother Angela Clinic team gathered in our convent chapel for a day of reflection.  The day was led by Father Samson Pierre, rector and pastor of Sts. James and Philip Cathedral. Father gave a conference based on Pope Francis’ Lenten letter to the faithful. There was opportunity for the Sacrament of Reconciliation during an hour of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The day ended with Mass, celebrating the first anniversary of the Mother Angela Clinic, which had begun its mission a year ago on March 19.

We thank everyone who helps us with the clinic in order that it might serve many poor people who would never be able to see a doctor or receive medications. We thank God for his blessings and ask Him to continue to lead the way for us. Blessed Mary Angela, pray for us!

Ali and Tim are the niece and nephew of Sr. Marilyn; Chris is Ali’s husband. They decided to come and visit the mission in Haiti. As soon as they arrived, they wanted to see and experience life in the mission. Today they experienced the Klinik Manman Angela in Kap Wouj. After walking around the village and meeting the people, they saw the clinic in action. They visited a home of a young man who was very sick and too weak to come to the clinic. 

After we returned home, we took a ride through the city of Jacmel. They even got to wear the famous masks that are made in the area.







We were invited to join in prayer and solidarity for the intentions of the victims of violence in Haiti, especially directed towards the people of the Church. From November 2014 through March 2015, 25 religious communities have been attacked with some type of violence by thieves; some were wounded and killed. This violence has also touched many priests.

On Monday, March 9, all priests and religious men and women in Haiti gathered throughout the country for a day of prayer. The day began with adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and ended with Mass, celebrated by Bishop Launay Saturne in Sacred Heart Church. 

In Port au Prince, along with prayer, there was a march in solidarity with all those who were victims of violence.



On Friday, March 6, we went with Daniel to Port au Prince. Daniel is one of our artists, a talented young man who works with our teens in the Felician Haiti Art Program. Twelve years ago, he was involved in an accident, and he was shot in his left leg. With no medical attention, Daniel lost his leg. Through charity at the time, he was given a prosthesis that, from the beginning, really did not fit him; now it is broken at the knee. We found an organization that makes leg prosthesis, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. We are now waiting for the doctor to come and take a look at Daniel and see what our next steps will be.

Dr. Thomas Illwala is originally from Kenya. He came to Haiti five years ago to work with Healing Haiti’s Children in making legs and arms for children who lost limbs From the earthquake and by accidents. The Knights of Columbus sponsor the program, which is run by Project Medishare.

The process took about two hours. Daniel was measured for a new left leg. With the help of the Knights of Columbus, he will be given a new leg. The prosthesis will cost $160 USD. It takes about 4-6 weeks to make the prosthesis.

So now we begin the wait for it to be made and prepared.

Sr. Victoria, professor of Nursing from Madonna University, is here in Jacmel for the third time. She is accompanied by her brother, John, and three Madonna University Nursing Students. Sr. Victoria has been giving lectures in the School of Nursing at the University Of Notre Dame of Haiti, while her brother and students have been helping in the Mother Angela Clinic. 

Sr. Victoria was touched by the poor situation and the lack of materials with which the nursing students have to deal here in Haiti. She has made it her mission, through fund raising, to purchase equipment to assist their program. We thank Sr. Victoria for bringing us medications for the Mother Angela Clinic and other needed items for our kids.