Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

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.

During our Creole class, we share the Gospel for the following day. It is great to understand and to be able to share the Word in a new language. The Holy Spirit speaks the Word clearly in any language, if we listen carefully. These past days we have been reminded of God’s love and faithful covenant. We are standing on holy ground, where God reveals to His little ones all that is ours to know and to be for His honor and glory! Here in Haiti, we feel we are standing on holy ground; the people are holy, and where we are is holy. We hope and pray you will come and see for yourself!

On Saturday, we took some of our students–this time, some of our boys–to the sea for some fun! You can see by the pictures that they had a great time.

Every Wednesday, we go for 6:30 a.m. Mass at the home of the Missionaries of Charity. We love to pray with them. After Mass, we always have a very good breakfast with Father Kontant.

The Missionaries of Charities take care of children who suffer from malnutrition and other illnesses. They also care for children with special needs. Mothers bring their babies to the Sisters to care for them, especially when they are malnourished and near death. There are babies whose mother’s never come back for them. Thank you our dear Sisters, Missionaries of Charities, for your love and compassion. 😇