Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

Today we joined Pope Francis and the world in a worldwide day of prayer for peace.

Pope Francis condemned the use of chemical weapons, blamed by Western powers on Syrian government forces, but added: “War, never again.” The United States and France are considering military action against Damascus in response to the chemical attack.

The pope asked the 1.2 billion Roman Catholics around the world to pray for peace in Syria today, and led he a special prayer vigil at the Vatican. He also invited other Christians, members of other religions, and all “people of good will” to join the Catholic initiative in any way they saw fit.

Here in Haiti, all of us joined in prayer and fasting for peace in Syria. We ended our day with a Holy Hour for Peace and Eucharistic adoration.

Ten minutes into our hour of prayer we lost electricity but we continued, sitting in darkness, in solidarity with our Syrian brothers and sisters who are living in the darkness of civil war.

From Pope Francis’ homily this evening at the Prayer Vigil in the Vatican:
“This evening, I ask the Lord that we Christians, and our brothers and sisters of other religions, and every man and woman of good will, cry out forcefully: violence and war are never the way to peace! Let everyone be moved to look into the depths of his or her conscience and listen to that word which says: Leave behind the self-interest that hardens your heart, overcome the indifference that makes your heart insensitive towards others, conquer your deadly reasoning, and open yourself to dialogue and reconciliation. Look upon your brother’s sorrow – I think of the children: look upon these… look at the sorrow of your brother, stay your hand and do not add to it, rebuild the harmony that has been shattered; and all this achieved not by conflict but by encounter! May the noise of weapons cease! War always marks the failure of peace, it is always a defeat for humanity.”

We heard that the Law Students of Jacmel gathered today for a manifestation (a demonstration), demanding that the Minister of Education fire the director of the Law School. As we were going to the market, we got in the middle of this manifestation. It was a peaceful demonstration, but there were many people and the roads were blocked. We just waited until everyone passed. Let us pray for justice and for all the schools in Haiti, that they would provide a good education.

Today Sr. Angela answered our door and gave Jesus through her ministry of presence by feeding our hungry kids and sharing her ministry of healing.

Sr. Janet has been helping with some repairs in the house. Daily we have been having some thunderstorms and heavy rains, and we need to change some of our plastic curtains that cover the bars.

Tomorrow we will join Pope Francis and the universal church in prayer and fasting for peace in Syria. All the Churches in Haiti will be joining in prayer!

Today we celebrated a special day with the Missionaries of Charity, a day of remembering the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who died on September 5, 1997. Her legacy continues to move the world even years after her passing.

Here in Jacmel, the Sisters serve the poorest of the poor, God’s first love. They care for small children who are malnourished, children and young adults with special needs, and the aged. All of these who have no place to call home. With the sisters, they have a home. Today’s celebration was for everyone and, after the beautiful Mass, the feast continued with over 300 people being served a delicious meal. We were blessed to be among them.

“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”― Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!

On my way to Poland, I had a very moving experience at Newark Airport. A young man came to me and asked me for a few minutes of conversation. His name is Romany, and he is a Coptic Catholic from Egypt. Romany, with his wife and children, needed to flee from Egypt due to the persecution of Christians which is taking place there now. The powers of the world are busy with other conflicts connected with money, oil, and the distribution of power; they do not pay much attention to the tragedy affecting the Christians in Egypt. They are falsely accused, chastised, fired from their jobs, forced to become Muslims, and even killed. This is their daily experience. Romany asks for blessings and prayers for his family, for his difficult life situation, and a for a better job so he would be able to support his family. In Egypt, he had a very good job, and he is highly educated. He speaks English. He has been welcomed by the United States and takes whatever job may be available that he would be able to take care of his loved ones.

Imagine people facing death for their faith every day and still getting tattoo crosses on their wrists! I have seen great and beautiful faith in this young man. Please, pray for him and all the Christians who are persecuted in Egypt.

When I wanted to know more about the situation of the Christians in Egypt I found the site:

http://www.churchinneed.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=7515&news_iv_ctrl=1001

This site truly helped me to understand Romany’s situation.

“We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the holy ones because of the hope reserved for you in heaven.” Colossians 1:1-4

We returned to our home in Jacmel yesterday in the early afternoon. After being away for a month, the house needed cleaning. Sisters Angela and Janet got to work right away. Our friends, Rosemarie and Lelun, joined us. Yes, our hope in the love of Christ calls us to work together, and we give thanks for being One in the Body of Christ.

Lwanj pou Jezi! So much has been happening this past month while in the States. Because of your prayers and support, we can continue the mission in Haiti. During the month of August, we participated in a few Provincial meetings. We spoke with our sisters in the Central Convent in Chicago, where we experienced support as our sisters realized they are on this mission also. Next we went to Beaver Falls, our Provincial House, where we met for a meeting on the theme: Haiti: The Next Chapter.

At Felician College in Lodi, NJ, Sr. Marilyn shared the Haiti mission with student-leaders during a day of reflection. This opened the door for students to volunteer for the mission in Haiti. We met with Carlo Colecchia, Director of Study Abroad; Sr. Mary Juanita, VIce President for Mission Integration; and Sr. Mary Honorata, faculty member, to begin planning a mission immersion experience December 26, 2013-January 6, 2014.

Sr. Mary Giovanni and Sr. Mary Inga prepared for the mobile clinic, collecting needed items and looking for ways to get medical supplies.

We also met with members from St. Gabriel Parish in Upper Saddle River, NJ, and Bill Cromwell and his wife from Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Maywood, NJ, who are collecting school supplies and seeking ways to send them to Haiti.

On September 2, Sr. Marilyn, together with Sr. Janet Marie and Sr. Mary Angela, will travel to Haiti. Sr. Inga will be going to Poland for a Congregational Justice and Peace meeting. She will return to Haiti on September 20.

On Tuesday, July 30, we returned to the States for a month. This will be a time for some community meetings. This past weekend, August 1-4, we had our assembly meeting in Dearborn, Michigan, with our sisters from all across North America. It was a gathering where we shared our abundant life, centered in Jesus Christ, as we shared where the Lord is leading us and encouraging us to live fully the Gospel message. We were given the opportunity to share the Haiti mission with our sisters, and their support has been overwhelming. We feel as though every Felician Sister is a part of this mission with their love and passion. We are very grateful for all their support and prayers.

We are also using this time in the States to work on the things needed for the mobile clinic, and we are seeking ways to ship needed items down to Jacmel. Please keep us in your prayers!

On Tuesday, July 23, Sr. Esther, pastoral associate at St. Gabriel’s, made a visit to Haiti. Her pastor, Msgr. Frank DelPrete, is interested in twinning with a parish in Haiti. We spent two days in Port au Prince showing Sister some different sites in the capital city. We made a visit to Casale, where Polish descendants settled after the war for independence. We stayed in the House of Presence in Duval Roche, and Sister Esther had the opportunity to experience the heat and lack of electricity in Port au Prince. We promised Sister that Jacmel would be cooler and will have electricity.

When we returned to Jacmel, we discovered that we did not have electricity either; and we did not get it back for three days! All together Sr. Esther had been living five days without electricity, and we are happy that she survived!

Sr. Esther visited St.Yves in Monchil, and met with the pastor, Pè Gaston Pierre, and his parish council. They shared the needs of the parish with Sr. Esther who took many notes to bring back home to St. Gabriel’s to see what ways they can walk in relationship with our Haitian brothers and sisters at St. Yves.

Scripture tells us that, when Abraham opened his home and welcomed three unknown travelers, he welcomed the Lord who blessed him favorably for his gracious hospitality (Genesis 18:1-10; Hebrews 13:2). The Lord wants us to bring Him glory in the way we treat others and use the gifts He has graciously given to us. God, in turn, blesses us with his gracious presence and fills us with joy. We have welcomed to our home Sister Giovanni, who is no stranger to Haiti. Sr. Gio is here, getting needed information and preparing for the mobile clinic we hope to begin in the Fall. She interviewed a few people who may be working with us. Sr. Gio met with Fr. Gaston at St. Yves, Monchiel, and three other chapels in the mountains: Our Lady of Perpetual Help, LaFond; St. Jude, Citi Lumenier; and St. Anne’s, Cap Rouge.

Today we welcomed a missionary group from Canada who were preparing food bags for the poor. They had misunderstood the time for Mass, and we had the opportunity to share a communion service with them. Then we had visitors from a non-denominational group who have a mission in the mountains. They were in need of help acquiring school supplies. May we all know God’s gracious presence and be filled with joy.