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.
May 1 is the celebration of Labor Day in Haiti. It is a very special day for the Diocese of Jacmel; it is also the day we celebrate the feast of Sts. Philip and James. On this day, there is no work; it is holiday for all. The Cathedral Parish celebrates with the people of God, inviting the Police Chief and all politicians.
The offertory procession was a procession of the fruits and vegetables from the earth.
The choir sang beautifully, filling all of Jacmel with the sound of God’s glory!
Bon fèt!
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 