Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

On Monday, March 14, our teens, who are participating in the Faith Formation Progarm and preparing for Confirmation, participated in a Penance Service in our chapel. The teens always come to opportunities like this dressed in their Sunday best. This shows a reverence and respect for Church. Father Valle, a newly-ordained priest, once again led the service. He shared with us the importance of confession and our need for mercy.  

Last night, I was also able to experience the grace of confession. As he gave me the absolution, Father placed his purple stole upon my head. I experienced a profound grace as I prayed that our young people would also have such an experience. This gesture reminded me of something our Holy Father, Pope Francis, said: “I have always been moved by the gesture in the tradition of Eastern churches, where the confessor welcomes the penitent by putting his stole over the penitent’s head and an arm around his shoulder, as if embracing him. It is the physical representation of acceptance and mercy. We are reminded that we are not there to be judged. It’s true that there is always a certain amount of judgment in confession, but there is something greater than judgment that comes into play. It is being face-to-face with someone who acts in persona Christi to welcome and forgive you. It is an encounter with mercy.” (Excerpt From: Pope Francis & Oonagh Stransky. “The Name of God Is Mercy.” )

Do you remember our Afterschool Program? This is where our teens are helping our young kids with their studies, homework and preparation for their quarterly exams.

On Thursday, March 10, our teens responsible for helping the children led a meeting with the parents. We began with prayer and then shared our concerns and need for collaboration. 

The parents are very grateful for the time and space here on our grounds for their children to do their homework. Most of them, if not all of them, do not even have a table to work and write upon.

On Monday, March 7, five of our teenage boys met in our chapel for their first class to learn to become altar servers for our Saturday evening Masses which are celebrated in our chapel. These five boys received the Sacrament of Baptism and Communion last year at the Easter Vigil. They now are preparing for Confirmation.

Alex, who is the head altar server of St. Michael’s Parish, together with Jerry, conducted the class. The boys were given the importance of serving at the altar of God and  their call to be good examples  for others.

As you can see, they came to the meeting in their Sunday best. This tells us they are taking this privilege and call seriously. 

Sister Adrianna made it through her first week here at the mission in Jacmel. She has found helping in the Mother Angela kitchen a joy.

  
  
She is participating in our activities by being present to all our kids, by preparing for Mass, by checking our new property to see if they started construction, and by visiting with Bishop Launay. She is also learning that, when washing dishes here, you need to use Clorox for the rinse water.

Our newest member in our Felician mission here in Jacmel is Shamael. She was born on Friday, February 26, after midnight. Her mother, Beverly, is one of the young women who helps us make the Blessed Mary Angela chaplet bracelets.

On Sunday, February 28, Sister Marilyn returned to Jacmel, accompanied by Sister Adrianna from Lodi, NJ, who would be Sister Marilyn’s companion while Sister Inga completes her immigration process for the United States. As you can see, our kids already have embraced Sister Adrianna with their loving welcome!

On Wednesday, February 17, the Committee for the Felician Haiti Mission met in Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Central Convent in Livonia, MI. It is always good to gather with our sisters and partners to share updates of the mission and ways we can continue to walk in relationship with our Haitian brothers and sisters. This also includes the efforts of Madonna University and Felician University.

Another blessed event that took place at the end of the meeting was the signing of the contract to begin construction of the new convent on our property in Jacmel. May God continue to be known, loved and glorified.