On Thursday, June 15, our teens, who had received the Sacrament of Confirmation on May 28, were invited to celebrate at the Jacmel Pizza Restaurant with our volunteers–Sr. Victoria, Krysta and Ania. For all of our teens, this was the first time they were in a restaurant and eating pizza.
On Saturday, June 17, five of our children, who had been preparing all year for their First Holy Communion, experienced the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. All gathered in our chapel with a member of their family. It was a graced moment of experiencing God’s mercy as they prepared their hearts to receive Jesus for the first time in the Holy Eucharist.
Fr. Samson, the pastor of Sts. James and Philip Cathedral, presided over the service with Alex, their Catechist, assisting.
Reconciliation room…after their first confession, each child received a FORGIVEN bracelet as a remembrance of their first Penance.
After the service, Fr. Samson blest their rosaries, medals, scapular and Bibles.
The week of June 12-14, Sr. Victoria taught at Notre Dame University in Jacmel. All the nursing students enjoyed her classes.
Lately, we have been experiencing some tragic accidents with our children. They have been burned very badly because of standing and playing too close to cooking fires. Remember, our people cook outside very near to where the children play, and they do not watch them. We sent both of the recently-burned children to the hospital and helped them get the medications they needed. Please pray for Peterson and Stefania who are suffering from 4th degree burns.
On Monday, June 12, Ania Iwinska (who arrived on Friday, June 9, from Wallington, NJ) and Krysta Forrester went with us to visit our neighbors. As always, once the neighborhood knows we are around, everyone wants us to come by and check their blood pressure and listen to their aches and pains.
“May the Lord Jesus put his hands on our eyes also, for then we, too, shall begin to look not at what is seen but at what is not seen. May he open the eyes that are concerned not with the present but with what is yet to come; may he unseal the heart’s vision, that we may gaze on God in the Spirit, through the same Lord, Jesus Christ, whose glory and power will endure throughout the unending succession of ages.” (Prayer of Origin, 185-254 AD)
On Friday, June 9, Krysta gave a presentation twice to our girls. She presented the program “Days for Girls.” Sr. Inga helped with the translation.
Health. Education. Dignity. Ensure she has what she needs to succeed. Why “Days for Girls”? Every girl and woman has inherent worth and dignity. “Days for Girls” celebrates this by providing sustainable feminine hygiene solutions and health education. When girls and women have health, education and opportunity, communities and our world are stronger.
Using this program, Krysta provided education about their monthly period, sex risks, how you can get pregnant, as well as sharing points about self-esteem, respecting oneself and working together to support one another as teenagers and young women. At the end of the presentation, each girl received her own kit which provided pads that can be reused, 2 pairs of undergarments, and a bar of soap.
Psalm 111, v. 1-5
“Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.
Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.
Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.
He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.
He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.”
On Wednesday, June 7, Sr. Victoria returned to Jacmel with Krysta Forrester to share life in the Felician Mission in Haiti. Krysta is a Nursing student at Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.
The first evening they arrived, we were blessed to have Mass in English with Fr. Yvan from the Diocese of Camden, NJ. Sr. Marilyn knew Fr. Yvan when he was in the seminary years ago.
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 
