Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

This past year, Sister Inga was determined to get the story of Mother Angela, foundress of the Felician Sisters, translated into Creole and French. With much determination, Sister Inga worked on the translation in Creole for a year. Finally, it is done and ready to be shared for our 10th Anniversary in Haiti.

We thank Jerry Jean, a young man who tutors our teens, for proofreading both texts.

We thank Sister Mary Francis and Felician Publications & Studio Arts Department for printing and binding the books for us.

We thank Sister Claver Ratkowska and Elena Monsanto for the French translation.

On the weekends of July 30-31 and August 6-7, Sisters Inga and Marilyn were on a different kind of mission–one that is about asking for assistance and help for the Felician Mission Haiti.

July 30-31, we were welcomed to St. Rose Parish, Belmar, NJ. Msgr Ed Arnister (brother of our Sr. Juanita) invited us to share about the Haiti Mission. We had visited his parish four years ago, and it was a blessing to update the people on what they have contributed to the mission in Jacmel. All were welcoming and most generous once again.

For the Saturday evening Mass, we were joined by our faithful supporters and sisters who help us with the mission in the USA.

The next weekend we went to St. Teresa of Calcutta, Avon by the Sea and Bradley Beach, NJ. We were welcomed by Fr. Erin Brown.

Fr. Brown is pastor of two parishes that joined together under the patronage and name of St. Teresa of Calcutta. It was a wonderful weekend with God’s people who were once again generous with their treasure.

“Jesus said to his disciples: “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” Luke 12:32-34

The first group that met with the Sisters to learn how to sew moved to the second level. Their final exam was to sew a school uniform for our kids.

On Saturday, July 23, we had guests from Les Cayes visit our Mission. Ephesian and Ourlik, and two of their friends, visited us. They run a bakery in Les Cayes. You may remember Sisters Izzy and Julitta, together with Annette and Cili, went to meet them a few months ago, in order to learn from them how their bakery functions, learning about finances and equipment, and other important things to know about running a bakery.

Since June 5, we have had construction on the mission grounds, preparing a new space for the sewing classes. It is just about completed and ready for the big move of the sewing machines and materials. We are still waiting for the closet doors to be installed. The space can also be used for other activities and meetings when needed. God is good!

On Thursday, July 21, our young team involved in the Clean Water project through Global Health and Social Justice met in Marigot to begin their study of the water problem. They met at the school, where they hope the well will be dug, and then spoke with people in the town about the problem of no water. On Saturday, they will meet and share their research thus far to be included in their proposal for a well to be dug.

On Thursday, July 21, Sisters Julitta and Marilyn, together with Madam Omanie, Annette, and the youth involved in the Youth for Global Health and Social Justice Program went to Marigot. Our clean water program was presented to 20 woman from St. Dominic’s Parish, and the youth began their research among the community. It was a busy day for all.

On Tuesday, July 19, we had our first meeting with the young people who will be participating in the Youth for Global Health and Social Justice project. They are working together to get a well for the town of Marigot, which is desperately in need of clean running water. The day was filled with a YouTube presentation, discussion, then the process of beginning to examine pertinent issues surrounding the water crisis facing their local community. On Thursday, they will visit Marigot and begin their investigation. This leadership program encourages youth to work together and to build skills in service to their community.

It started with an email from Dr. Sheryl Simmons,. She heard about our clean water program, Servants of Living Water, from Angela Hospice in Livonia, MI. She reached out to us and wanted to hear our story. She is director of a program that engages youth to work out a plan for a well to be dug in a needed area. This program is sponsored by the United Nations.

The purpose of this Work Around the World for Water (WAWW) initiative is to develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding youth need to become influential leaders within the water sector.

Goals include the following:

1. Increase participants’ understanding of the concept of leadership.
2. Increase participants’ understanding of and appreciation for cultural diversity.
3. Assist participants in developing specific skills needed for effective leadership.
4. Provide participants with a process for examining pertinent issues surrounding the water crisis facing their local and global communities.
5. Increase participants’ awareness of themselves and how they relate to others; and
6. Provide opportunities for participants to apply their knowledge, skills, and understandings through meaningful services to the community.
   Program Values and Assumptions
   Youth for Global Health & Social Justice programs

Work Around the World for Water attempts to bridge a gap between theory on leadership, community leadership, and leadership development with actual practice in leadership development for youth. Implementation of this project and subsequent evaluation of the project’s success would provide still more information that could be used to improve both the specific project and similar community-based youth leadership development projects.

These are ideas that we have been trying to do with our youth over the years. We have extended our clean water program, with the help of a generous donor(s), by getting wells to a school, parish and its community, as well as on our own property for our children.

When God showed us this door, we knew we had to open it and walk through. We are aware of another community in Marigot, which is desperate for clean running water. So we decided to get on board. We already have six young people involved, who will have their orientation class for the program on Tuesday, July 19.

On Friday, July 15, we had visited the school that is in need of the well. About 760 children and teens go to this school, which has no running water. In order to have water, they must buy it!

Our youth now have to present their proposal, learn about the water needed, learn how to test the water, and be a part of the process for the money in order for a well to be dug. Please keep this new project in your prayers. Everyone deserves to have clean water!