Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

On Thursday. May 27, Sr. Izzy had her last class with her second group for the Felician Sewing School. The final exam was to make an apron. All completed the exam 100%!

On Saturday, May 22, at 9:00 p.m., we were blessed to gather as a community to keep vigil with the the Word of God and Eucharist as we celebrated the Feast of Pentecost. Fr. Jean Claude accepted our invitation to pray with us.

The sisters created a beautiful ambiance.

During our time of vigil, there was a terrible rain storm with thunder and lightning. We were joined by a slew of tiny bugs that come during our rain storms because they are attracted to the light which fills the chapel. In the midst of all of this, we gathered after the example of the Apostles and disciples who, with Mary, the Mother of Jesus, persevered in prayer, as they awaited the Spirit promised by the Lord. Like them, we listened with quiet hearts to the Word of God. We remembered the many great deeds God in times past did for His people; and we prayed that the Holy Spirit, whom the Father sent as the first fruits for those who believe, would bring His work into the world.

We listened and sang in French, Creole, Polish and English. The Spirit was alive and the Word fulfilled in our hearing.

The Lord fulfills everything He says and proclaims to us, especially when we pay attention to where His voice and Will leads us. “See I will bring Spirit into you and bring you into life… I have promised, and I will do it, says the Lord.”

Yes, the Lord came through our locked doors last night in Word and Eucharist and fulfilled His purpose in our hearing. All shall be revealed as we walk His way. We remembered all of you in our prayer. We pray today that the gifts and fruits of the Spirit will be deep within you that you may continue the mission God has called you to fulfill. Have a blessed day in the Holy Spirit. 🙏🏾🕊❤️✌🏿

On Saturday, May 15, and Sunday, May 16, six young women participated in an overnight retreat. We gathered for prayer and shared community. We prayed the rosary, shared God’s Word, and gathered for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. On Sunday, we chanted morning prayer, shared some faith stories, and related how we all came to Jacmel, Haiti, to be missionary disciples. We celebrated Mass with Father Lesley from Decouze and ended the retreat experience with a delicious meal.

It has become a tradition in the Mission, that every May we gather with our children who participate in the faith formation, to crown the Blessed Mother. On the vigil of the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, our children prepared their souls to give their hearts to Mary.

Sr. Izzy’s second group of students are learning how to choose and cut material and how to use the sewing machine. It is a delight to see them grow and learn.

Water for Life was here in the Mission from May 3-6, digging water wells for us, for St. John Paul II School, for the new bakery site, and for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Cayes-Jacmel.

Water For Life’s mission is to provide clean drinking water; irrigation for farming opportunities; education; and other means of assistance to the Haitian people. The goal is to keep their bodies clean and free from diseases; to raise healthy, happy children; and to restore dignity and meaning to impoverished lives.

After the pipes are placed, the well is capped. Now we wait for what kind of pump will be the best for the well.

After they finished in our area, the team went to John Paul II School. At first, they could not enter the area with the big truck and machine. so it was decided to cut through the gate…

Next, they tried to go to the place where we are going to build the bakery. Due to the heavy rains, however, we have to wait. The area was too muddy for these heavy machines. The crew went to a fourth place in Cayes Jacmel and began to dig, but they burned a few hoses and needed to stop. The team will return in a few weeks after they get new hoses.

We are so grateful to Dr. Jean Paul Bonnet and his friends, who made this all possible. Yes, where there is water, there is life.

Our parish community, Sts. Phillip and James, gathered for nine days of prayer in preparation for the parish feast, including prayers for the political situation, the kidnappings and the violence that plaque the country of Haiti. Everyday people gathered for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, and prayers for freedom from these difficult times. The faith of our people witnesses to us that God is here and among His people.

On Friday morning, we got word that those who were held hostage by the kidnappers had been released. Prayers were answered. We do not know any details regarding how, when, or where; but we are very grateful for their release.

On Saturday, May 1, we joined with the Diocese of Jacmel as they celebrated their patronal feast of Sts. Phillip and James. This date was chosen since the diocese was founded on this date and has traditionally celebrated their feast on May 1. Priests from the Diocese and the choir gathered at our Mission for the procession.

We welcomed Auxiliary Bishop Ducange Sylvain from Port au Prince, who who presided and preached for the Mass. His word of encouragement and hope for Haiti filled the gathered assembly.

After Mass, we had an opportunity to share with some of the priests from Port au Prince. They shared their stress and fear. The freedom of the people is being taken away because no one can get to work or school because of the demonstrations and the fear of being kidnapped. Please continue to pray for Haiti.

This week, we were blessed to have Dr. Bonnet and Eric with us. Due to road blocks and the political situation here in Haiti this week, the Water for Life group could not come to dig the wells as planned. God had another plan in mind for us to do, and that was to finalize the plans for the bakery construction.

Eric did many things around the mission. One was to update our Kahn Academy Program. and he worked with some of our young people to show them how to better utilize the program.

Yes , the hand of the Lord is with us through our dear brothers, Dr. Jean Paul Bonnet and Eric Moyer. They arrived together on Tuesday to visit our mission with a mission. Dr. Bonnet is here to be for the well digging that was to start on Monday but, due to demonstrations and road blocks, has been delayed. We are hoping tomorrow they can arrive with their equipment. Eric is installing a few more security cameras and doing some maintenance with Jean Philippe.

This was the theme of the April 21 faith formation class with our kids. Thank you, Sister Janet Kurgan, for donating all the supplies to make this experience spiritual and fun.