Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

The above words were said by Dr. Yves and Dr. Valcin who lead the Mother Angela Clinic here in the Diocese of Jacmel. The Coronavirus is on the rise in Haiti. Like other poor countries, there is no protection from this widespread enemy. Here the hospitals are closed because doctors have no supplies or protective gear. The Mother Angela Clinic is the only mobile clinic, visiting villages located in the mountains. We, too, were struggling with no protective gear. We reached out to some organizations and were able to acquire 8 paper gowns and 16 masks. We knew we had to do something quickly, so we reached out to Helen Yee, Director of the Felician Sisters Care Center in Lodi, NJ. She immediately sent us, via FedEx, some much-needed face shields, an infrared thermometer and some masks. She had no disposable gowns to spare because, in the States, they are difficult to purchase at this time. We needed to act fast. That led us to Plan B. We found some sheets that could be made into gowns, and Sr. Izzy went to work. Within 24 hours, everyone had two gowns each and a bottle of Clorox to wash them. The clinic follows the regulations given from the Ministry of Health–no more than five people gathered in one space at a time. Keeping patients faithful to social distancing is a new job for Fritz, our driver, as well as telling everyone to wash their hands from a bucket with water, Clorox and soap for hand washing. Please pray for our Mother Angela Clinic team who are willing to face the battle and this war against the Coronavirus.

Love never fails

Even in the darkest moments, love gives hope. 

Love compels us to fight against coronavirus alongside our sisters and brothers living in poverty.

Love compels us to stand together in prayer with our neighbors near and far.

Love compels us to give and act as one. 

Now, it is clear that our futures are bound together more tightly than ever before. 

As we pray in our individual homes – and around the world – we are united as one family.

So, let us pause and find a moment of peace, as we lift up our hearts together in prayer. 🙏🏽

This was not like any other year that any of us had experienced on the Vigil of Pentecost. On Saturday evening, we gathered in our Cenacle to keep vigil 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. Like them, we, too, listened with quiet hearts to the Word of God. We began with a procession from Mary’s grotto to the chapel, our Cenacle.

We entered the chapel, listened to God’s Word, and meditated on the many great deeds God had done in times past for his people. We prayed that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as the first fruits for those who believe, might bring to perfection His work in the world. We interceded especially for an end to this pandemic.

Our Church is one of many languages; and so we prayed, listened, shared God’s Word, and sang inspired songs in Creole, French, English and Polish.

“O Mary, Woman and Mother, listen to our stories; hold them in your heart; and make your own the stories that no one wants to hear. Teach us to recognize the good thread that runs through history. Look at the tangled knots in our lives that paralyze our memory. By your gentle hands, every knot can be united. Woman of Spirit, mother of trust, inspire us, too.”

Pope Francis

We imitate the joy, simplicity, and “Deo Gratias” of Saint Felix of Cantalice, whose name Divine Providence has chose for our Congregation.

We wanted to celebrate our novena in preparation for the feast of St. Felix in a different way. We decided that, whenever a child came to the gate, we would share with them the story of St. Felix and give them a candy. For the babies, we would give them a toy. As the nine days unfolded, we saw what joy this simple gesture gave to kids. During this pandemic, our activities have been put on hold; but daily someone would be at our door.

On Sunday, May 17, we decided to celebrate together the feast of St. Felix with a barbecue. We had much to celebrate–St. Felix, of course; Jean Philip who lives in St. Felix House on the property; and the past birthdays of Annette and Sr. Inga. It was a great celebration!

On May 18, the feast of St. Felix, we were ready to share the joy of the Lord with our friends. We sent a message out to our kids to come to us at 3 p.m. We had prepared St. Felix cookies, topped with a chocolate candy, to give to those who came. We also made peanut butter sandwiches to be served with a glass of Gatorade.

Sure enough, the kids were right on time. We were aware of the social distancing that needed to take place, and each child received a mask to wear.

When all was finished, we proclaimed DEO GRATIAS, giving praise to God for the joy of the Lord in our midst even during a pandemic. St. Felix could always be heard saying “Lord, I entrust these people to you.” And so, we, too, did the same.

Today, after our Evening Prayer and adoration, we went to our grotto to pray the rosary together. The Lord showed us beautiful flowers that He has given His Mother to honor her.

O Mary,
you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope.
We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of All People,
know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so that, as in Cana of Galilee, we may return to joy and to feasting after this time of trial.
Help us, Mother of Divine Love, to conform to the will of the Father
and to do as we are told by Jesus,
who has taken upon himself our sufferings and carried our sorrows
to lead us, through the cross, to the joy of the resurrection. Amen.

Pope Francis

Even though we do not know when, we are doing what we can to prepare for our children’s First Holy Communion. Sr. Izzy is busy measuring, sewing, and trying on outfits while keeping good social distancing, of course. Sr. Inga is busy getting all the prayers to the kids so they can continue to learn them for the glorious day, whenever that will be.

What have we been asking of the Lord in His name? We ask Him daily to use us for His people, to bring His salvation to all. During these difficult days of pandemic, we ask the Lord to show us the way He wants us to care for His people; and He certainly does this everyday.

Here is one way…every month we have a woman with her children who come for food and assistance. But this time, it was more serious. Her children are showing more signs of being malnourished, full of bites because they are sleeping on a bare floor, and so very hungry. The first thing we needed to do was have our doctor see them; and, yes, they are malnourished and needed medications for infections and vitamins.

Then we gave them rice and beans. As they were eating, we were gathering things they needed like soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and some kind of floor covering for bedding.

Yes, we asked in the Lord’s name to have available what they needed, and sure enough, it was done. How great is our God!!!!! After they finished eating, Sr. Izzy made sure they had some toys to take home with them, too.

On Sunday, May 3, Good Shepherd Sunday, we felt we needed a break–to get out and at least go for a ride. We made our journey to Cyvadia. We often would take volunteers there for the beauty and scenery. It was a first for Sister Izajasza. We were well protected with our masks.

We then took a walk down to the sea, and we felt like the Apostles ready to go fishing.

Then, low and behold, a group of fishermen came to shore; and, of course, we asked if they caught any fish.

And sure enough, they did, so we bought some…we know we made their day with our purchase.

After our afternoon outing, we returned home for our time of adoration and prayer. We remembered all of you in our prayers.

We have been on a mission with Divine Mercy images to get them in just about every Church in our Diocese. Our mobil clinic will be serving in a new chapel that is called Divine Mercy, so we knew we had to get them the image. Even in the midst of this terrible virus the Lord’s work. Is being done.

We hung a new sign on our gate that tells about COVID-19 and how to stay safe.