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In the news, we read that Haiti has became one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to gang activities. It is becoming more and more violent.

According to the latest statistics, 4.7 million people in Haiti are currently facing acute hunger.

In Jacmel, those who come to our mission are suffering and they come to us hungry. More and more people are living in desperation. A couple of weeks ago, we received information from our mission that our neighbor’s brother and his wife took their lives no longer able to stand the situation. They left their two babies behind, and our neighbors must care for them. They wonder how they will feed them.

We, at our Felician Mission, continue to feed not only those who come to our mission to work or to study, but we also give to all who come to our gate. We give rice, spaghetti, oil and sometimes beans (if they are available or if we can afford them). We are aware that it is only a drop in the bucket, and it may only help for a few days. We are so grateful to you for your support and hope for Haiti. With us, you are not giving up and you help us continue the mission in these very difficult times. Please, pray for Haiti.

On Sunday, March 26, from 5-8 p.m., all those receiving the Sacraments of Initiation came to the convent for an evening retreat. The theme was “Walking in the Light.”

Sister Inga introduced all to the scrutiny of the Word of God, using the theme of Light.

After a large group sharing, Sister Marilyn led all in praise and worship of the Blessed Sacrament and shared a reflection on the Gospel of the day. All were invited to be unbound by Jesus and ready to be His light in the world. The evening ended with pizza and refreshments.

On Saturday, March 25, the children preparing for the the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion came for a day of retreat. The theme was “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.” Children from St James School and the Faith Formation Program participated in a day of listening and sharing God’s Word, led by Sister Inga who told the story of the lost sheep. Sister Marilyn led the singing of praise and worship songs with actions, after which all watched a short video on being lost and found.

After sharing, the kids went to church for their First Reconciliation Penance Service, carrying a sheep with their name on it. They placed their sheep in the thorn bush. After they went to confession, they took their sheep and placed them into the meadow underneath the cross. After the service, filled with joy, all enjoyed an agape with pizza.

These words were spoken by the leper that came to Jesus, asking to be cured of his leprosy. Jesus did will it, and it was done. We feel the same way about the Mother Angela Clinic that serves the Diocese of Jacmel, visiting 28 places in the mountains. Our clinic team daily travels difficult roads, sometimes in the midst of danger, in order to bring healthcare to those who cannot come and see a doctor in the city of Jacmel. Jesus continues to touch lives that are in misery even during these difficult months when Haiti is struggling with violence, kidnappings, lack of food, and just the right to live in security. It is because of your unwavering support for the Felician Haiti Mission that keeps the mission, going especially the Mother Angela Mobil Clinic. Our patients have doubled these past months because of the situation with no hospital opened for the people. God uses you to keep providing healthcare for our Haitian brothers and sisters.

It is because of you we can empower our Mother Angela Clinic to keep working and healing during these difficult times in Haiti!

Everyday we are in contact with our people in Jacmel. Annette, Jean Philippe and Fritz live at our mission and respond to needs as they come up.

A month ago, a poor mother with her baby came to the gate. Annette recognized how weak the baby was. She sent us a photo right away and asked us here in Miami what she should do. We told Annette to give the mother food, baby milk and money to go the hospital, for the baby was malnourished. In the midst of all this we never asked for the baby’s name.

Today we received a message from Annette that the baby died today. She died because of no food, no work, no money, no hospital was open. How long can this go on?

On Sunday, March 12, the Catechumens from St. James Parish participated in the First Scrutiny. During the First Scrutiny (third Sunday of Lent), the Elect have hands laid upon them and are prayed over, that they may reject everything in their lives that is contrary to Christ.

God of power,
you sent your Son to be our Savior.
Grant that these catechumens,
who, like the woman of Samaria, thirst for living water, may turn to the Lord as they hear his word and acknowledge the sins and weaknesses that weigh them down.
Protect them from vain reliance on self and defend them from the power of Satan.
Free them from the spirit of deceit, so that, admitting the wrong they have done, they may attain purity of heart and advance on the way to salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.

This was the call to the Confirmation candidate–to go make a difference. On Wednesday, March 8, Sisters Inga and Marilyn met with the Confirmation class and invited them to assist in making small sheep for the 3rd grade class that was preparing for their First Reconciliation. The Confirmation class took on the challenge as they remembered their own First Reconciliation and what it would mean to bring others to theirs.

Being in a Trilingual Parish Community is an experience of the Holy Spirit’s power and the workings of the Spirit in the faith community.

Preparing models and samples for flocks of sheep to be made by our Confirmation Candidates as part of the service projects for those preparing for the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time…

Empowering those Called by Name and Chosen to be doers of the Word…

On the first Sunday of Lent in every faith community, when there are catechumens, there is the Rite of Sending and Rite of Election. This morning at the 9:30 a.m. family Mass, we had the Rite of Sending. Sister Inga is accompanying the candidates on this journey through Lent to the Easter Vigil.

At 4:00 p.m. the Catechumens with their sponsors met at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Miami. Catechumens from all over the Archdiocese were gathering. This was the second group to meet. The first group had met earlier in the day for the Rite of Election with Archbishop Thomas Wenski.