Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

From January 27-February 1, we were real pilgrims sharing the Felician Haiti Mission with God’s people.

January 28-29, we were invited to St. Gabriel’s Parish in Saddle River, New Jersey. Rev. Msgr. Frank Del Prete, pastor, warmly welcomed us.

On January 30-31, the Blessed Mary Angela Institute for Contemplation, Action, and Transformation hosted two sessions at Felician University, “Reaching Out to Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti.” We shared our five-year experience of ministering to the people of Jacmel, Haiti, with member of the board, administration, faculty, staff and students of Felician University, Lodi, NJ.

Dr. George Abaunza, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences; SM Inga Borko; S Marilyn Marie Minter; Dr. Edward Ogle, Vice President of Academic Affairs.

On Tuesday, January 15, we were surprised to receive 20 missionaries from the U.S. They came with Fr. Yvans, their priest from Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Wildwood, New Jersey. Sr. Marilyn had met Fr. Yvans, who is originally from Jacmel, many years ago when he was in Immaculate Conception Seminary, East Orange, NJ. It truly is a small world!

The parishioners have been visiting various places and villages, distributing MPOWERD solar lights. This is an amazing idea; a solar light is attached to a blow-up plastic with a lamp-like ball.

The group came to meet our kids while we had our food program. They began with the song “This Little Light of Mine,” sung in English and Creole and, of course, our kids knew it! Then they distributed back sacks. The kids and teens also received a brand new soccer ball. Everyone had a blast.

💫 On this Feast of the Epiphany, we wish you all peace as you make your journey through 2018. We would like to share a story that makes the words of the Gospel real for us. It is a story of two young girls, not sisters, who live together as though they are being led home by another way.

Meet Mathilda…

Meet Ludvica…

They are teens, not knowing who their parents are. When they were small, they were given to their aunt to care for them. They came to us about a year ago. They are very good students. They needed our assistance with school, so we are sponsoring them. They pay it forward by working with us as mentors and tutors for our young kids. They help in every way around our mission and are always ready to help in any way they can. They are two beautiful young teenagers, desiring a good education and wanting to do something beautiful for God. They are now preparing to receive the sacraments of Christian Initiation with us.

Right after Christmas, their lives totally changed. Their aunt who was raising them was not able to pay the rent for the shack they were living in here in Jacmel. Knowing that they are in a good school, she wanted them to stay here in Jacmel to complete the year. The aunt left to be with her mother and father who live very far away. The girls are living now with a friend’s family in a two-room shack. We asked where they were sleeping, and they told us they sleep on the dirt floor; but they were grateful they had a place and roof over their heads.

We knew there was something we had to do. We assured them they can count on us as their family even when they have no one else here. We gave them one of our guest room mattresses, two blankets, and sheets. This seems like such a small way to help make their lives a little better. Yes, they are like those who have to go to a home another way, but these two lovely young teens will make the best of what God is giving them. Please pray with us for them.

From January 2-5, we were blessed to have Eric and his daughter, Abby, come to stay with us and be present to our community. Eric was with us, updating our Kahn Academy Program and the clinic iPads data base. His daughter, Abby, was very present with our kids.

On January 2 and 3, our visitors had the opportunity to visit the homes of our children. With every group, this is what touches them the most as they share their gift of being a nurse. The power of presence changes the lives of everyone.

On the morning of Friday, December 30, Dr. Yves Derisier shared with the Madonna University visitors the ways of rural medicine practiced through the Mother Angela Clinic. Everyone was captivated by his knowledge and dedication to the people of Haiti.

On Friday, December 29, our friends from Madonna University led a dental hygiene presentation for our children. They learned how to brush and care for their teeth. Each child received a new toothbrush and toothpaste. They also learned how to floss their teeth.

On Wednesday, December 27, Sr. Victoria and 9 Madonna University student nurses, staff and alumni arrived in Jacmel for their mission experience at our Haiti Mission. They will be with us for ten days, sharing in different activities, visiting homes, and sharing faith and friendship with our community.