During the week of January 7-13, we were blest to have our annual retreat. It was a time of prayer, reflection and renewal with the Lord! The Lord prepared a beautiful place for us called Our Lady of Charity, by the water, with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
We remembered all of you in our prayers. 🙏🏾
On Sunday, January 1, 2017, we celebrated the New Year’s Day Mass with Sr. Victoria and the Madonna University volunteers by attending a special Mass at the Community Center in Jacmel. It is not only a great day for Mary, the Mother of God, and World Day of Peace, but a day of remembrance for the Haitian people who fought for their freedom from slavery.
After the Mass, we went to visit the construction site for our new convent and volunteer house. We were blessed with a beautiful ritual and blessing that Sr. Victoria had brought with her from Livonia, Michigan. Sister Victoria said: “The 12 Miraculous Medals that we used in our special service were touched to a tube of blood from St. Pope John Paul II. The mission to place the medals in all countries was given to Mother Adelanto, SCTJM, in Pompeii, Italy. I am so happy that we were able to do this today for protection of our Felician Mission, as well as for the people of Haiti.” We placed a small Miraculous Mary Medal in all the sites of construction.
During the week, our volunteers visited the homes of our people and brought their expertise to the sick and suffering in our midst.
On Thursday, December 28, and Friday, December 29, the Madonna University volunteers helped to prepare buckets and filters for our “Water with Blessing” Program. Over 100 filters and buckets had been purchased to give clean drinking water to families throughout our area. During these two days, we had the formation program for 34 women. We are so grateful for all those who donated in order to provide clean water for the people of Jacmel in our area.
On Tuesday evening, December 27, Sr. Victoria arrived at Jacmel with nine students, faculty and friends for their mission experience. On Wednesday evening, December 28, Fr. Samson, who is learning English, had Mass for us in English.
The group arrived with water filters and buckets that they will give to people in our area. They will visit homes, and they will have some activities with our mission kids.
Our foundress, Blessed Mary Angela had a great love for the Christmas season celebrating the Incarnation of our Savior and Lord. She would celebrate with the poor children by having a big feast for them with food and gifts. We too continue our dear foundress’ passion and love for the poor by doing the same here in the Haiti mission. Here are a few pictures of our praparations with the help of our teen volunteers who helped with the decorations, food preparations and the liturgy.
The Annunciation!
Joseph doesn’t understand how can this be?
The Angel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.
Mary and Joseph adore the newborn King, Jesus!
The Shepherds see an awesome Star shining brightly, and the Angel brings tidings of great joy and good news: “Peace on earth and good will to all!”
The visit of the Three Wise Men bringing gold, frankincense and myrrh!
On Christmas Eve, it is our Community tradition to celebrate the Polish Wigilia. As we prepared our Polish food the best way we could here in Haiti, we worked diligently all day to be ready for the first star to appear so we could begin our solemn feast. As a sign of our Christian hospitality, we always set an extra place setting for Jesus to come. Everything was ready, when we heard a child singing by our door. We looked at each other and knew we had an unexpected guest for dinner; Donaldson joined us for Wigilia. We shared with him the wafer and explained our tradition as we offered each other peace and pardon. He then tried some of our Polish food. As it got darker, he knew he had to get home. It was a joy to have our unexpected guest join us for Wigilia.
It is very important in the Felician Mission in Haiti that our volunteers build relationships with our people. We thank you for sharing life with us and for experiencing our joy!
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 
