Author Archives: Felician Mission: Haiti

On Wednesday, August 5, we returned to Kap Wouj, St. Anne’s Parish, to meet with 21 women who accepted the call and ministry to be Water Women. Madam Omanie helped us to lead the 3-hour formation program. We are very happy that now this area in the mountains will have clean water for drinking, cooking and washing. We thank all those who have donated to the Water with Blessing project.
    
    
    
    
    
   

Donaldson is a little 6-year-old boy who is very poor and neglected. He likes coming to our home everyday. He was always dirty and wore the same clothes everyday. We gave him some new shirts, shorts (thanks to your genrosity), and new underwear.

 One day we noticed that Donaldson had a terrible skin rash with opened sores on his arms, legs, torso, head and ears. It was like infected pimples.  We asked our Dr. Wanitha to see him. Donaldson has Scabies. Scabies is most common among people who live in overcrowded conditions, and whose ability to practice good hygiene is limited. Scabies can be passed between people by close skin contact. Although the mites can only live away from human skin for about three days, sharing clothing or bedclothes can pass scabies among family members or close contacts. 

It has been over two weeks since Donaldson saw our clinic doctor. He is getting better slowly but surely. Thank you for all your support to help care for these kids. Look at Donaldson with his new clean shorts and t-shirt.

  
Here is Donaldson’s legs when we first saw them, this rash was all over his little body.

Today, Friday, August 7,  was a full day as we prepared for our four Felician Sisters to arrive on Sunday. As morning broke, the beginning of the day, as always, began with prayer before the Word of God, followed by Morning Prayer. Then the day began to unfold with kids and teens coming for the Pay-it-Forward program. A visit to Caritas was followed by a meeting with the Mother Angela Clinic Team. After a quick dinner, we worked with our pharmicist to learn a new program for our medications. Next came cleaning and preparing bedrooms and some last-minute shopping in preparation for our sisters arrival on Sunday…. But that is not the end of the day. In the evening, we had a beautiful Penance Service for our kids who made their First Holy Communion this past May. It was a beautiful prayerful time, using the theme of the Prodigal Son. Fr. Limond, a priest ordained two years ago, presided at the service. It was a very holy as mercy filled the chapel. Then, right after the service, the heavens opened with heavy rainfall. Water was everywhere. In fact, as we write this, it is still pouring. So what we had cleaned earlier is now filled with water. But, no need to fear, all will be well. Here in Haiti, we have learned that plans can change quickly, and we must trust in God’s providential care. 

On Wednesday, July 29, we made our way up the mountain to Kap Wouj to bring the Water with Blessing project to the poor. We had asked the parish priest to get 20 women he thought would be good cadidates to participate in the program. Madamn Omanie, who has been helping us with the program, also went was with us. When we arrived, we needed to clean the classroom that we were going to use for the meeting. Then we waited. It was to begin at 10 a.m. Only one woman had arrived by that time so, after a half hour, we decided to “go into the street corners and invite anyone you find.” We did just that; we went to visit the poorest homes in the area and invited the women. We now have  more than enough “water women” to begin the Water with Blessing project. This will be our third group of women who are sharing purified water. Next week we will return to Kap Wouj to begin their formation and ministry as “water women.”

We thank all of you who have donated and support this project. Because of your genorsity and support, clean water is given to many people throughout the Diocese of Jacmel. Thank you and God bless you.😇🙏🏽

On Sunday, July 26, we traveled up the mountain to Kap Wouj to celebrate with the parish family of St. Anne’s. This is one of the churches where we hold the Mother Angela Clinic every Wednesday. The whole village gathered to celebrate the feast today. The Mass was three hours long, and then there was another hour for thank you’s and announcements. It is election time here in Haiti so many of the candidates were also mingling among the people.

As we continue to grow as a faith community and as more people are joining us for morning Mass and prayers, we knew we needed to have the Word of God enthroned! It is here that we see the altar of the Word and  the altar of the Bread of Life. We researched and found a talented artist who designed our new ambo. On Monday, July 20, Fr. Valicien blest our new ambo. 

On Saturday, July 18, we were invited to a party by Madamn Omanie, our Creole teacher. This was a party celebrating the anniversary of the chorale in which she participates at St. Michael’s Parish. The chorale and their families were invited to a beach picnic party. Everyone brought food to share. There were many children. Omanie asked us if we could teach them the game of BINGO! We found some religios articles that we used for prizes, as well as little toys for the kids. Everyone loves BINGO!😊 

All Haitian celebrations include a time for dancing and singing. It was a great time for all!

You may remember our blog last week when the Mother Angela Mobile Clinic made a journey up to the mountains for four days. They met with 168 patients who received medical consultation and medication. Thank you for your prayers. 🙏

Every Thursday evening, we have catechesis with our kids from 5-9 years old. Some days this can be a challenge with ten of them. Every week we to have a different Bible story, followed by an activity. This past Thursday, we had the story of  Moses and the burning bush. First we read the story and talked about it; then we had an activity they could take home and share with their families. It was truly holy ground. 😉