On Saturday, August 7, the Felician Haiti Mission celebrated the sacrament of Baptism for twelve young people and one adult. It was a beautiful day that the Lord had made to welcome new disciples into the Church.
Felician Mission: Haiti celebrates the Sacrament of Baptism
Volunteers in Mission teach our young adults English online
Two of our young adults are learning English with the help of some volunteers from the United States. Missionary Discipleship comes in many ways.
“If we find favor with you, O Lord, do come along in our company. We are indeed a stiff-necked people; yet pardon our wickedness and sins, and receive us as your own.” Exodus 34:9
On Tuesday, after our Adoration and Evening Prayer, we made our way on the streets to visit one of our kid’s sick grandma.
We recognize God’s presence before us and know what a treasure we have…As we ponder the Word of God today, we pray that we, too, will be transformed and radiant with joy from our encounters with the Lord. It means a lot to our kids for us to visit them in their homes; but it means even more for us. We know where they come from, their living conditions, what they endure, and what they only know of this life. We appreciate more what we have and are blessed to have here in our Mission. We are grateful for a simple fan so we can sleep; a roof that does not leak; our own bed so we do not have only the floor to sleep on. The Lord wants us to keep showing our love, His love, and to care for each of His people. These, too, are God moments before the Lord, entering His tent of grace to become radiant with His grace. This is where the Kingdom of God is for us, our treasure for us, our faith, and desire to have His Word fulfilled in us and, most of all, in all our brothers and sisters.
Extol the Lord, our God,
and worship at his holy mountain;
for holy is the Lord, our God.🙏🏾🕊❤️🥰✌🏿🇭🇹
First Anniversary of First Holy Communion Class
Last year, we had our first Baptism and Holy Communion class at the Mission. We wanted the kids to remember the joy of that day and experience. On Saturday, July 17, we were blessed to celebrate the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time at 5 p.m. with Fr. Emmanuel.
Sisters Izzy and Julitta washed and ironed the Communion outfits from last year. The kids certainly felt very special once again. These are very difficult times here in Haiti, and the children need to keep their souls and minds on our God who is with them in the midst of suffering.
After Mass, everyone received chicken, bread, and soda.
The Lord’s promise through Jeremiah—“I myself will gather my flock”—is fulfilled in Christ who beckons, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” “Beside restful waters he leads me”; the waters are Jesus himself.
His mercy endures forever…
On Friday, July 16, we tried to bring some normalcy to our kids who had received their First Penance last October by inviting them to a special celebration of Reconciliation. The theme was “Receive Divine Mercy.“ Using the Gospel of John 20:19-31, the children were reminded that Jesus wants to give us peace and forgiveness. After an examen of conscience each child received the Sacrament of Reconciliation and was invited to touch the Heart of Jesus to receive His love, peace and forgiveness. It was a grace-filled witness for us to watch them all one by one be absolved from their sins. During the prayer and confession, we prayed for Haiti, asking for God’s mercy to be upon us as we prayed together the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
At the end of the celebration, the kids watched the video of their First Communion which was held last year, and each received some chocolate candy.
Go in peace, your sins have been forgiven.🙏🏾🕊✌🏿
The sun shines after every storm…
On Sunday, July 4, we were invited to participate in a parish concert held at St. Michel’s Parish in Jacmel. We wondered if they would still have it after Hurricane Elsa…well they did, and the church was full. Haitians are survivors, no matter what the circumstances that come their way. The audience came masked and enjoyed an early evening of songs, praising and thanking God. We were even part of the program!
Hurricane Elsa tries to pay a visit to Jacmel
On Saturday, July 3, we got prepared for a visit from Hurricane Elsa. After being here for nearly 9 years, we have learned to prepare for the worst, no matter what. We got sand bags ready to protect the door to the computer lab so it would not flood like it did last time. We put furniture away and covered what we could. The winds came by 2 p.m., and then the rain. We kept following the Hurricane app we have and saw she was changing course from a direct hit on our shores.
Elsa kept moving away from us. We kept praying for all in our area to be safe. Even though she was moving south, she did leave a bit of a mess.
We lost some of our banana trees; but we thank God we all are safe, and so are our people. Hurricane Elsa tried to pay us a visit; but thank God she went further from us, staying mostly over the sea. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. As you know, Haiti is especially vulnerable to floods and landslides because of widespread erosion and deforestation. God is so good, and He has spared us again.
Be Transformed…All things are made NEW!
On July 2, we began our new ministry year, sharing in community and ministry. In the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, in adoration, prayer and praise, we offered ourselves to God and to the mission here in Haiti.
Retreat for Transitional Deacons preparing for Ordination to the Priesthood
Monday, June 21- Friday, June 25, five young men were here at the Felician Mission on retreat with Fr. Lautere Jean Claude as their director. The theme was: The Priest is for the service of Christ and the Church. Their schedule included the Liturgy of the Hours, Mass, Rosary, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and two conferences a day. It was a blessing for us to be able to participate in Mass with them and to share Adoration in the evening with Benediction. On the last night of the retreat, these men consecrated their lives and priesthood to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was another way we can be about the spiritual renewal of the world by offering hospitality to God’s new priests. They were ordained on Saturday, June 26.
