Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

Save us, O Lord our God! And gather us from the nations, to give thanks to your holy name, and make it our glory to praise you. (Psalm 106:47)

We hear in the Gospel “go out to all the world and tell the Good News.” This is our commission and partnership in the Gospel. It also means networking. On Saturday, February 1, we met Dr. Jim Morgan, MD, founder of The LAMP. This organization has a clinic in Citè Soleil, Haiti. For the past 10 years, they have been healing the poorest of the poor. We received some medical supplies that we could not use in our mobile clinic but knew they would be very useful in a stationary clinic. God made the way!

On Saturday, January 11, the first Neocatechumenal community of Jacmel celebrated the Eucharist together at the Haiti Mission. It was a joy to join all the communities in the world in the celebration of the Eucharist. What gave it even more excitement was that it was the vigil feast of the Baptism of the Lord!

With the new beginning of 2020, we welcome a new doctor who will be replacing Dr. Wanitha Ceus. Dr. Wanitha has chosen to continue her education in Port au Prince. We are grateful for her time and talent in sharing the mission with us. Dr. Valcin is from Port au Prince and is no stranger to the Mother Angela Mobil Clinic. In the past, he has worked with us in the clinic, so he has an idea of the Felician mission. He will begin his two-month trial period Monday, January 12. We welcome Dr. Valcin to our family!

We are getting ready to plant some new vegetables and wanted to make a compost, so today was the day! We got our barrel ready, putting many holes in it from top to bottom. Let the compost begin…

On Sunday, January 5, the feast of Epiphany, we had our first discernment group gathering. We have been aware of some of our young adults who are interested in following a call to priesthood and religious life. It was time for us to respond and to offer a way to learn and know more. It was like having the wise men come as they followed a star, seeking the Lord. We began with how we can hear the voice of the Lord by praying with the Scriptures. How does the Word become Flesh and Dwell Among Us? We spoke about discernment and the scrutiny of the the Word of God. Then we spent time actually leading them through the process with the theme of whether we follow the Spirit of God or the spirit of the world? We ended the day with Adoration and Evening Prayer during which we shared our personal prayer and discovery of God in His Word. This group will be meeting monthly.

The Haitian tradition to celebrate the season is January 1 with soup jamou (pumpkin soup) with loads of vegetables and meat.

On January 2, we celebrated with a luscious meal. Families save to buy the needed foods so that the family can share and feast. Rice made with mushrooms (dire Jon Jon), fried okra, fish, potato au gratin, macaroni and cheese, salad and pikles (something like cole slaw) make up the feast. This is what Annette and Jean Philip prepared for our celebration as we gathered to share our blessings and to thank God for a new year.

On Sunday, December 22, we celebrated the great feast of Christmas with all those who work with us in the Mission. The Mother Angela Clinic staff, our cooks and gardener were with us for the sacred oplatek tradition of blessings and forgiveness. Then we enjoyed a festive meal and. of course. giving of gifts.

On Saturday, December 28, we celebrated the Vigil of the Feast of the Holy Family by welcoming six young children into the Catholic Faith. These families came to us during the year, wanting to have their child baptized. Due to different circumstances–one being poverty–this was very difficult. We had our mothers meet with the Pastor, Fr. Samson, for interviews. Then we had our Seminarian, James, as well as Annette, meet with them for faith formation.

Baptism is the first of the sacraments and the “foundation of all Christian life,” which is the “door that allows the Lord to make His dwelling place within us and bring us into His Mystery.”

This was truly a moment of joy for those gathered, especially those of us who remembered how the Greek word “baptize” means “submerge.” “Bathing in water symbolizes, in various creeds, the passing from one condition to another; it is a sign of purification for a new beginning.”

This also allowed us to remember that Baptism makes us missionaries in the world, each one according to his or her own vocation, so that the world may believe and be transformed.

We welcome our newly-Baptized into the Catholic and now pray for their continued walk with Jesus Christ.