Felician Sisters of North America Mission: Haiti

The following is taken from the New York Times this morning.

‘’A Kenyan court on Friday, January 26 prohibited the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/americas/haiti-kenya-un-vote.html), jeopardizing a multinational security force charged with stabilizing the chaos-hit Caribbean island nation (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/02/world/americas/un-kenya-mission-haiti.html) before it even got off the ground.

The force, which is backed by the United Nations and financed by the United States, had been stalled since October, when Kenyan opponents of the mission challenged it in court, calling it unconstitutional. The High Court upheld some of those arguments on Friday, throwing into doubt the latest international effort to rescue an impoverished country that is spiraling ever deeper into violence and instability.
“An order is issued prohibiting the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti or any other country,” Justice Chacha Mwita said at the conclusion of a judgment that took 40 minutes to read.

The international force was meant to help break the grip of the armed gangs that control most of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and have turned Haiti into one of the world’s most dangerous nations. Haiti’s government has pleaded for foreign military forces to be sent in to restore order, but the United States and Canada have been unwilling to commit their own troops.”

Thanks be to God the 6 nuns who were kidnapped last week have been freed.

-lease keep Haiti and her people in your prayers.

As some of you know, the border from Haiti to the Dominican Republic was closed for 2 months which meant the Mother Angela Clinic could not purchase needed medications. Every week we would check with our contact in Santo Domingo whether it was opened. Finally a week before Christmas, the possibility became a reality. Our Christmas prayer was answered. For the past 2 months we have been seeking ways to purchase medications in small pharmacies to keep meeting the needs of our patients. We experienced our Christmas miracle and now can begin the new year serving our people the best we can. We thank all our benefactors who keep believing in the Felician Haiti mission.

As you all know we continue the Felician Mission in Haiti virtually working with team daily to continue our programs. We wanted our Christmas tradition of celebrating Christmas with our Haiti sisters and brothers to continue also. So decorating needed to be done…

Our first celebrations took place on Friday, December 15 for the Mother Angela Mobil Clinic Team and all those who participated in the St. Clare Sewing School this past year. A delicious meal was prepared, a prayer service and of course a gift that was to help each of their families.

The young adults and all those who keep our mission ministering to the people of God in Jacmel had their celebration on Friday, December 22.

Every celebration began with a prayer service, sharing peace, food and music. All received a bag of needed items for them and their families. Because of your faithful support and accompaniment we can continue to give hope where it is unexpected and make a difference.

It is with deep sadness that we share this news with you about the situation in Haiti. We know that throughout the world this day so many are suffering. Let us continue to place our HOPE in the newborn King of Peace.

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article283535258.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYACoTNzkzNzUxMTg0MTg1MzQ1MDM3NzIaMTQ2YTJkNzhjN2MxYzVkMDpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AOvVaw3-w-V4kylrd9-WIxI8vcyD

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.globalsistersreport.org/news/qa-sr-judy-dohner-need-democracy-haiti&ct=ga&cd=CAEYBCoTNzkzNzUxMTg0MTg1MzQ1MDM3NzIaMTQ2YTJkNzhjN2MxYzVkMDpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AOvVaw3GWPbYLfeyIdh7rcTYGMeW

https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/Haiti-a-Country-Plunged-into-Extreme-Violence-20231226-0012.html&ct=ga&cd=CAEYBioTNzkzNzUxMTg0MTg1MzQ1MDM3NzIaMTQ2YTJkNzhjN2MxYzVkMDpjb206ZW46VVM&usg=AOvVaw17nczl5cPObo374gYIwZsK

The summer issue of Felician Magazine is on its way to you! We look forward to sharing our stories and hearing your thoughts.

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Even in the midst of what is happening in the country of Haiti, the Felician Haiti Mission shows that empowerment of people can change the world one person at a time. We certainly do not want young minds and hearts to go to waste.

Petersen is a young man who came to the mission about eight years ago. He asked us to help him to pay for school. That meant he was to have a job in the mission and also participate in the Pay-it-Forward Program. Petersen is very bright and smart and has a talent with computers. When he finished school last year, he wanted to study more about the computer. We sent him for a course, and at the same time, he was responsible for the computer lab and for assisting those who participated in learning English in our online program. Now Petersen is teaching our young girls computer skills. He continues to Pay-it- Forward.

A passage from scripture that comes to our mind today is from the Acts of the Apostles. It is the story of Lydia who was a seamstress.

Lydia was intelligent, perceptive, and assertive to compete in business. Her faithful pursuit of God as a Jew caused the Holy Spirit to make her receptive to Paul’s message of the gospel. Why this story? Because the young women, of many ages and different backgrounds, and even the few young men, want to learn a trade so they can take care of their families.

The St. Clare Sewing School, that began two years ago in Jacmel, has successfully promoted persons from the community. Last Wednesday, June 7, the students gathered for a small ceremony in the Felician Mission. Sisters Izajasza and Julitta, who were currently in Poland, led the ceremony on Zoom. Sisters Inga, Marilyn and Alicia also participated via Zoom from the United States.

In the news, we read that Haiti has became one of the most dangerous countries in the world due to gang activities. It is becoming more and more violent.

According to the latest statistics, 4.7 million people in Haiti are currently facing acute hunger.

In Jacmel, those who come to our mission are suffering and they come to us hungry. More and more people are living in desperation. A couple of weeks ago, we received information from our mission that our neighbor’s brother and his wife took their lives no longer able to stand the situation. They left their two babies behind, and our neighbors must care for them. They wonder how they will feed them.

We, at our Felician Mission, continue to feed not only those who come to our mission to work or to study, but we also give to all who come to our gate. We give rice, spaghetti, oil and sometimes beans (if they are available or if we can afford them). We are aware that it is only a drop in the bucket, and it may only help for a few days. We are so grateful to you for your support and hope for Haiti. With us, you are not giving up and you help us continue the mission in these very difficult times. Please, pray for Haiti.

On Sunday, March 26, from 5-8 p.m., all those receiving the Sacraments of Initiation came to the convent for an evening retreat. The theme was “Walking in the Light.”

Sister Inga introduced all to the scrutiny of the Word of God, using the theme of Light.

After a large group sharing, Sister Marilyn led all in praise and worship of the Blessed Sacrament and shared a reflection on the Gospel of the day. All were invited to be unbound by Jesus and ready to be His light in the world. The evening ended with pizza and refreshments.

On Saturday, March 25, the children preparing for the the sacrament of Reconciliation and Holy Communion came for a day of retreat. The theme was “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me.” Children from St James School and the Faith Formation Program participated in a day of listening and sharing God’s Word, led by Sister Inga who told the story of the lost sheep. Sister Marilyn led the singing of praise and worship songs with actions, after which all watched a short video on being lost and found.

After sharing, the kids went to church for their First Reconciliation Penance Service, carrying a sheep with their name on it. They placed their sheep in the thorn bush. After they went to confession, they took their sheep and placed them into the meadow underneath the cross. After the service, filled with joy, all enjoyed an agape with pizza.