Earthquake

I apologize for not updating this blog on a more regular basis lately; however, it seems like a good time to start again.

St. Therese, our sister parish, is located on the north side of the island, and although they reported feeling some small rumblings, there is no damage, injury or death to people of Gaspard. However, they are deeply affected by this tragic event, and ask for our prayers and continued support.

Here is a recent note from Joan Martin:
I am still in Indiana. American Airlines is not yet able to enter Port Au Prince with commercial flights. They have re-booked me again---for Feb. 1-2.

And of course, my return by that means will depend on Tortugair, the little plane, being able to fly from PAP to Port de Paix. Tortugair said that they are waiting on the new airport authority to give them clearance.

I have received emails from several of the priests in the diocese of PdP to say that the "refugees" from PAP have been arriving in large numbers---hungry, thirsty, sick, broken bones, infections. Fr. Leonville at the Cathedral said that people are sleeping everywhere--in the parish hall, the Cathedral grounds. They are asking him for financial help, and he does what he can---which is not much. Normally, the government hospital in PdP has no food, water, medicine, sheets, towels---so that facility will not be able to do much for the new arrivals.

Fr. Cholet and Steve and Faith say the same thing is happening in Bombard. Supplies are about finished.

If you have a sister parish in Haiti, I would suggest that if your parish has a special collection for Haiti earthquake relief, that you give at least part of the funds to your sister parish---to assist the people who are arriving.

I did receive an email from one of the priests in PdP to say that Sr. Adeline, in Jeremie in the south, is OK. But some of her family members died in PAP.

More later.

Joan

And a note from Teresa Patterson, of the Parish Twinning Program:
Dear All Concerned,

The outpouring of concern, love and support has been phenomenal. Many thanks to all of you who have responded with offers of help.

I want to share in this message to you news about the status of medical support. We explored the possibility of transporting a medical team composed of those of you who have offered your services for immediate care. Given the problems at the airport in PAP and the fact that 4 medical teams composed of 63 people are planning to go to Haiti on January 21, 22 and 23, we are not planning to organize another medical team or effort. I have suggested several places to work including the University la Paix Hospital you might have seen on CNN and Centre Saint Joseph. Our concern for now is getting medicines to Haiti for both Port-au-Prince and for Visitation Clinic. It may be impossible to purchase medicines in PAP in the coming weeks. The medical teams will be able to bring in supplies for immediate needs in PAP, but I am concerned about getting enough meds to Visitation Clinic. If any of you are still traveling to Haiti in the next few weeks or month and can carry a bag of medicines for us, please let me know. We hope as funding comes in for VHF that medicines can be purchased here in the U.S.

I have also been in communication with Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) and they are sending a jet to Haiti within a few days out of Nashville. I am working with them on the logistics. They will be using our facilities at Matthew 25 as will the medical teams. We are hoping that Dr. Tom Grabenstein and several of our medical folks are possibly going to be part of that contingent.

I will try to be back in touch with you tomorrow with some updated news from Sr. Mary Finnick and Matthew 25 House. Thank you again for such a tremendous outpouring of concern for the people of Haiti.

Blessings,

Theresa Patterson
Parish Twinning Program
Visitation Hospital Foundation

Peace