Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

At our last Provincial Assembly, Sister Mary Christopher, our Provincial Minister, introduced a simple project to help the poor and homeless, using plastic bags that are crocheted into mats for sleeping or sitting on the ground. This is perfect for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. Our Sr. Lois Marie, from Lodi, NJ, embraced the project and made us two large mats for our people. We thank Sr. Lois for thinking of us and our people.

Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Wallington, NJ, invited us to speak during the Masses on Saturday, February 6, and Sunday, February 7. This was the second time we shared the Felician Haiti mission at Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. We were blessed to be able to thank the parishioners for their support two years ago and to update them regarding God’s growth of the mission.

There were eight Masses in all: three in Polish and five in English. We thank our dear Sisters Janet Marie and Maria Magdalena for assisting us in the collection at the end of each Mass. The faith community was very generous in their support of the mission in Haiti. We are in awe at the goodness of the Lord through the generosity of his people.

On Thursday, January 28, in the afternoon, we were preparing for our catechesis classes, as well as our return to the States. All of a sudden, we heard a bang; and our priest and a young lady, who was studying outside where we were working, ran and shouted, “tramblemonte,” which means “earthquake.” We ran out of the room and saw everyone shouting the same thing. The priest looked frightened. We, of course, did not feel anything. All we heard was the bang of a chair that was thrown when Father ran outside. People were all on the streets shouting “tramblemonte.” As you can imagine, the people were full of great fear because of the memory of what happened with the last earthquake in 2010. They were scared. There was no aftershock, just shock on the faces of the people. That night, we did not put the padlock on our door in fear that we might need to run out of our house and down the stairs to get out of the building because of an earthquake.

Our Felician Artists continue to be busy filling orders for art requested by our visitors and also some orders from our friends in the United States. They have been using some papier-mâché which is very famous for mask-making during Carnival time here in Jacmel. Today we went with Daniel, the master artist, to get some supplies for one of the orders requested.

We have six women who come to a class that we provide for them to learn how to read and write. It is called Alfabatysyon. They meet twice a week. This is an opportunity to return to school or even to start school for the first time in their lives. In Haiti, every group that attends classes or school has a uniform; this gives them identity. Well, since last year, our group wanted a uniform, too. So, we had some extra shirts that had our Felician logo, and now they wear it for class–a beige shirt with dark pants or a dark skirt. We even gave each of them a book bag for their books. Some of the women are mothers of our kids.

On Sunday, January 10, Elliotte, our Felician photographer, and Matt, his assistant, arrived in Jacmel with an assignment to take photos of the Felician mission in Haiti. They have been following us everyday as we walk the ministry of presence with our people. 📸

We would like to give you  an update on a young girl you heard us speak about–Christella. She was the young girl who ran away, and then was found. Soon after she reappeared,  we discovered that she was pregnant and was soon to give birth. She was without a home and was staying on the roof of someone’s house. We helped her to have a sonography, and she found out that she would have a girl. The result of the test showed that she was to give birth in March, but a week after the test  she delivered a baby girl. Go figure!

One family gave Christella a place to stay with her child for two weeks. After that, she was again homeless and seeking help. Thanks be to God for the networking we have made in Jacmel; we were able to find a home for her with the help of an organization from Canada. She is now being cared for in a group home and is learning how to take care of her child. 

During Christmas, Christella and her child visited friends in Jacmel. She and her baby slept in their kitchen, close to the place where they cook, by the fire place. During the night, the baby’s blanket caught fire. Thanks be to God! Christella woke up and saved her baby girl. Even the child’s diaper was black, but nothing happened to the child. It was a miracle.

Last Sunday, Christella was supposed to meet her father who had rejected her after she ran away almost two years ago. Christella does not know her mother, but has only heard about her. She supposedly lives in Jeremie. We pray for reconciliation with the father and for what is best for the future for Christella and her baby. 

  
The Christmas season has come to an end. The feast of the Baptism of Jesus brings us to the end of the Christmas season. Let us take time to recall the graces and gifts that have come to each of us (and to those whose lives we have touched) since the beginning of Advent on November 29. How have I welcomed the Lord this Christmas season? In what ways has God stretched and challenged me during these weeks? Where do I find myself now in relationship with my own person, with family and friends and co-workers, and, especially with our God? Which Christmas “gifts” do I particularly treasure this year?

These early days of 2016 we don’t have a precise roadmap with exact signposts for the year ahead. But let us have this confidence in God–that, if we ask anything according to His Will, God will hear us. Let us not be afraid to “cast into the deep.” God is with us!