Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

On Monday, January 21, the Missionaries of Charity dedicated their new home that was built three years after the earthquake that destroyed their house. All the Missionaries of Charity in Haiti, (over 40 of them) and their Brothers, were present for the Mass and blessing. Mass was celebrated by Bishop Launay Saturne, and priests who serve the sisters concelebrated. After the Mass and blessing, the children whom they serve danced and told a Haitian story. The sisters had a reception for all the guests. We met two women from Philadelphia and Coraopolis, PA, who work with the Missionaries of Charity. Both of these women know Felician Sisters. We were very happy to have dinner with the Sisters because we were also moving into our new home on this day and had no time and food to cook. God is good.

Today, January 21, the feast of St. Agnes, martyr, we moved into our new home in Jacmel. We live on the second floor, in a three floor building owned by the diocese, called St. Judes. This place was offered to us by Bishop Launay Saturne, until the time we will build a Felician house of our own.

Wherever we go we meet volunteers, young and old, wanting to serve and share, as Pope Benedict XVI says: “God’s first love, the poor.” Many of these volunteers look for accommodations, a place to live for a week or longer. They need a place to pray, faith-share their experiences and have
fellowship. This kind of hospitality is needed here.

Below is a picture of a group we met from Blessed Sacrament Parish in Illinois.

Today we met with Fr. Gaston, the pastor of St. Yves parish. It is the youngest and poorest parish in the Diocese of Jacmel. We surprised Fr. Gaston with two gifts, a chasuble and stole that was given in memory of a mother by her family, and a box of hosts. St. Yves has four missions in the mountains. You may remember one of our past blogs that we spoke about St. Yves and how the community worships in a tent. We hope to continue our relationship with Fr. Gaston and St. Yves and support them in any way we can.

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.