Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

We had a very beautiful celebration for our founding day, celebrating Blessed Mary Angela on Saturday, November 19, with our kids, teens and the people with whom we work. We hosted over 125 people and, if anything could go wrong, it did. It started when Dr. Wanitha, who works in our clinic, called. She was very sick, and she was suppose to give a witness, sharing her experience visiting Poland and walking in the footsteps of Blessed Mary Angela.

Then came the next bad news: we have been having trouble with our inverter that provides electricity when the city doesn’t. It was overheating. We had our electrician come, and he tried to fix it; but then came the moment when he looked inside. It was burned! This was right before we were ready to celebrate with the presentation and Mass. By a stroke of luck, about 10 minutes before program, the city electricity was on, so we were able to use the projector and computer. We had prepared a slide show, telling the story of Blessed Mary Angela. At the same time, our electrician showed us and told us the nightmare of the burned inverter, and he told us what it would cost for a new one. This can be purchased in Port au Prince, but would not be installed until next weekend. So that means no electricity, no use of oven, no Thanksgiving dinner. We pray we will not lose the turkey we have in the freezer now. The good news is that the city puts on electricity at various times during the day and the night for a few hours. Back to our beautiful celebration.

The priest that we always have for our Saturday Mass with our people was not here when we started at 2 p.m. He had said he would be there, so we called him and were told he needed a ride. We were surprised because he never needed a ride before.

What more could go wrong? When we had everything ready–decorations, table cloths and food on the tables–we had a 10-minute downpour of rain. The table cloths got drenched. They were special Thanksgiving ones. We covered the food with plastic and waited for the rain to stop. We prayed we would have enough food and, thanks be to God, we did. That was through the intercession of our Mother Angela.

The kids sang beautifully, and the songs were perfect. Our teens had helped, and we gave them special shirts that identified them as our volunteers. When the Mass finished, and we had the feast, the city electricity went off–perfect joy!

Dr. Yves Derisier, the director of the Mother Angela Clinic, spoke to everyone at the end of Mass about the mobile clinic and the work they do for the people in the Diocese of Jacmel. Everyone loved the celebration and the food! In Jacmel, at 5 p.m. it starts to get very dark. With no lights, this becomes a problem; but with candles and phone flash lights, we were able to clean up as best we could. Then our phones died!

Yesterday was a blessing and something we had always wanted to do here in Jacmel, especially with our poor–celebrating the legacy of our dear Mother Angela and our founding day.

Today we have elections for the new president of Haiti. This means possible demonstrations and violence, so on Monday everything is closed for the safety of the people.

Praised be Jesus Christ our King! Happy Feastday!

In the mornings of Friday, November 18, and Saturday, November 19, our place was very busy as we prepared to celebrate the Founding Day of the Felician Sisters. Even though our feast is on November 21, we decided to celebrate on the 19th since it was the day before the Feast of Christ the King, and we always have a community Mass for our people on Saturday afternoons.

We found ourselves baking over 125 brownies, shopping for chicken, vegetables, soda, and some last-minute items needed for the fet. We had singing practice with the kids, decorated and prepared the altar, and worked on a PowerPoint presentation to share the life and mission of Blessed Mary Angela. It was a joy to see so many of our people join in the preparations.

This little guy wanted a ride and was on our windshield for the longest time as we made some errands in town today.

On Saturday, November 12, early in the morning, we got ready to gather with the Church of the Diocese of Jacmel for a pilgrimage and Mass to close the Year of Mercy. We invited all our kids and teens who participate in our catechesis program. Little did we know that 45 of them would want to come to participate. From the youngest, who was 3 years old, to the oldest, who was 20 years old, they stood ready to make the almost four-mile pilgrimage in the hot sun.

Bishop Launay Saturne opened the pilgrimage with a blessing to make this journey in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in the grace of Divine Mercy for all. We all had our personal intentions.

When we reached Immaculate Conception Church, the designated sanctuary for the Year of Mercy, and walked through the Holy Door of Mercy, we were greeted by our shepherd, Bishop Launay, who welcomed us with Christ’s mercy and healing. It was an awesome feeling of peace. We then gathered for Mass. This certainly was a challenge for our kids but a great experience of faith, hope, love and, most of all, mercy.

On Friday, November 11, Chrismen came to us with her baby girl, Shyna, who is 7 months old, telling us she had a fever. It just so happens that on Fridays our doctors from the Mother Angela Clinic work in the pharmacy. Dr Wanitha told Chrismen to give her daughter a cold bath, so that is what she did, right here with us. Chrismen does not have her own home; she lives with a neighbor because her house collapsed.

 Just so you know, Shyna had her inoculation shots on Thursday so it was a reaction. Today she is doing fine.

On Tuesday, November 1,  some of our teens and kids celebrated in our chapel this holy day of remembering the Saints. Here in Haiti, it takes on a different meaning for us since those who deal with voodoo also see November as a month to do various rituals and to conduct parades. We gathered around a heart of lights, remembering the saints who lived their lives dedicated to Christ and following His Word in being mercy to all. All of us are signed with the cross at baptism and called to be saints, too. It is such a special day here in Haiti that all schools and businesses are closed on All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

God, our Father, source of all holiness,

the work of your hands is manifest in your Saints,

the beauty of your truth is reflected in their faith.

May we who aspire to have part in their joy

be filled with the Spirit that blessed their lives.

May we also know their peace in your Kingdom. Amen.
—Prayer for the Solemnity of All Saints, from the Roman Sacramentary 

You may remember our story about Tchery; he is now living in Port au Prince, attending the university and studying to be a doctor. Today, he came to Jacmel for a break and visited us. He gave us an update of his studies and where he is living. This is one happy young man, who is trying to make his dream come true. Thank you for your help. It is stories like these that can make a change; this is the way to change Haiti.

On Thursday, October 13, and Friday, October 14, “Water with Blessing” entered school. By this we mean that representatives from a few of the schools from our area began the formation process to be a “Water Woman.” For those of you not familiar with the program, these women will be responsible to give clean, filtered drinking water to students who do not have access to clean water. Especially now, after the hurricane, this is needed  more than ever. 

Praise God, it is here! After waiting a month to get the container out of Port au Prince and then waiting an extra week due to Hurricane Matthew, the container is finally here! So many of the things inside are so useful for our people, especially now! Thank you and God bless you all!!!!!😊