Every first Sunday of the month, we go to a special Mass for children preparing for their First Communion in Jacmel. They are kids from the Catholic Schools and those who are in catechetical programs. We bring five of our kids every month to this Mass in the new multi-purpose center. This was built after the earthquake because our Cathedral was destroyed.
The singing is absolutely beautiful. And the children’s participation is precious. Indeed, let the children come to me.
ββ
On Saturday, February 4, all the religious in the Diocese gathered to celebrate Consecrated Life. We received our annual invitation, there would be a speaker, Mass and dinner. From our past experiences we knew that the presentations would be in French. We have spent that last 4 years learning Creole, and knew we would not be able to understand everything. So we said we would come for the Mass and dinner. Sr. Janet Lehman, SC the other sister who is from the U.S. who work in the Norte Dame University, Jacmel was also with us. When we arrived before the time when Mass was scheduled, we were told that the talks were in Creole for us. But we did not receive any message that it was changed. This was very humbling for us. We were able to join in the group sharing they had scheduled before the Mass. It was a beautiful experience to be with the religious of the Diocese to celebrate together our call to live a missionary life in community witnessing to Gospel Life.
βI ask you to pray for the priests, sisters, and brothers belonging to contemplative and apostolic Religious Institutes,β Pope Francis said. βTheir life dedicated to the Lord, and their charismatic service, will bear abundant fruit for the good of the faithful, and for the evangelizing mission of the Church.βπ»π¦
On Thursday, February 2 we celebrated the Presentation of the Lord and Consecrated Life beginning the day with the Holy Eucharist. Today is the blessed day when Jesus was presented in the Temple by Mary and Joseph. We blessed our candles and carried them to be Christ’s light to the world. It was a simple celebration but holy. At the end of Mass Father gave Sr. Inga a special blessing for her birthday.
Whenever you celebrate your birthday here in Haiti, known as a FET, you have to have some treats to share with others. We decided that we would have BINGO in the afternoon, with prizes and goodies. We thank Sr. Jessica from Beaver Falls, Pa. who gave us boxes of Cracker Jacks that we shared with the kids, soda and candy. The night before Sr. Marilyn prepared, the first time in her life, a blueberry cheesecake, which happens to be Sr. Inga’s favorite.
In the afternoon, with the help of our teens, we prepared our Bingo Hall. We set up prizes and got everything ready to celebrate Sr. Inga’s birthday. We had three others celebrating too, Dr. Wanitha (from our Mother Angela Clinic), Fabiola and John Love. We also had our Mother Angela Clinic team assisting us and Madam Omanie with her daughter Debora. The kids had a wonderful time!
After the Bingo and food, we cleaned up and proceeded upstairs to the house to continue the celebration and have the cake the clinic team gave to Sr. Inga. It was a big feast with cake, ice cream, soda and of course cheesecake.
As we came to the close of this beautiful day, we ended with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Evening Prayer. Thanks be to God for the joy and blessings of this day. ππ
During the week of January 7-13, we were blest to have our annual retreat. It was a time of prayer, reflection and renewal with the Lord! The Lord prepared a beautiful place for us called Our Lady of Charity, by the water, with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
We remembered all of you in our prayers. ππΎ
On Sunday, January 1, 2017, we celebrated the New Year’s Day Mass with Sr. Victoria and the Madonna University volunteers by attending a special Mass at the Community Center in Jacmel. It is not only a great day for Mary, the Mother of God, and World Day of Peace, but a day of remembrance for the Haitian people who fought for their freedom from slavery.
After the Mass, we went to visit the construction site for our new convent and volunteer house. We were blessed with a beautiful ritual and blessing that Sr. Victoria had brought with her from Livonia, Michigan. Sister Victoria said: “The 12 Miraculous Medals that we used in our special service were touched to a tube of blood from St. Pope John Paul II. The mission to place the medals in all countries was given to Mother Adelanto, SCTJM, in Pompeii, Italy. I am so happy that we were able to do this today for protection of our Felician Mission, as well as for the people of Haiti.” We placed a small Miraculous Mary Medal in all the sites of construction.
During the week, our volunteers visited the homes of our people and brought their expertise to the sick and suffering in our midst.
On Thursday, December 28, and Friday, December 29, the Madonna University volunteers helped to prepare buckets and filters for our “Water with Blessing” Program. Over 100 filters and buckets had been purchased to give clean drinking water to families throughout our area. During these two days, we had the formation program for 34 women. We are so grateful for all those who donated in order to provide clean water for the people of Jacmel in our area.
On Tuesday evening, December 27, Sr. Victoria arrived at Jacmel with nine students, faculty and friends for their mission experience. On Wednesday evening, December 28, Fr. Samson, who is learning English, had Mass for us in English.
The group arrived with water filters and buckets that they will give to people in our area. They will visit homes, and they will have some activities with our mission kids.
It is very important in the Felician Mission in Haiti that our volunteers build relationships with our people. We thank you for sharing life with us and for experiencing our joy!
Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti 
