I called American Airlines today, Jan. 26, to see if I could confirm my reservation to return to PAP on Feb.1-2, and the woman told me they have changed their program. The first flight to PAP in now scheduled for Feb. 19---one flight from Miami to PAP, one flight from Ft. Lauderdale to PAP. They are planning to add a second flight from each location on March 2.
I received an email from the sisters in PdPaix where I live. They are still "sleeping" in the one story school room, and the ground was shaking all of last night. Most of the PdP schools are closed. I think Fonkoze PdP is open, but I am not sure they have money for their clients.
There are many, many refugees everywhere---even in the mountain parish of Gaspard and the far west parishes of Bombard and Mole St. Nicolas.
The Haitian Bishops are meeting in PAP to try to decide what to do now.
For those of you visits planned to your sister parishes, I guess we will see what happens.
Joan
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
News from Elizabeth
St. Ambrose parishoner Elizabeth Amidon is now in Haiti, and sent this e-mail today:
Hello from Haiti. I wanted to let you all know I am fine. We set up clinic in Chambran and treated about 200 people yesterday. About 1/3 were displaced from the earthquake. Mostly we treated babies. We have not gone downtown to witness the mass destructsion and have no desire to do so. I have not been watching the news, so I'm not sure what the are reporting.This is the first time I have gotten on the internet. There are plenty of buildings down all around this nieghborhood. I saw many people living in tent cities. People are afraid to sleep in their homes. The streets are blocked off at night and people sleep in the streets. The buildings that were built with in building codes are still standing. Many buildings were built with shotty cement, meaning little concrete mixed with a lot of sand. When they fell they turned back into sand. I have not been exposed to the 'smell of death'. Thankfully. We went to church in Chambrun which is the highlight of my visits here. Thier committment to the lord is amazing to witnessI have seen my favorite kids and have added to the list. We are sending a five person team into the tent cities to treat earthquake victims. I should be on the team that goes out tomorrow. Today I will be back at the clinic in Chambran. My bus is leaving, so I have to run. Keep us in your prayers and please continue to try and raise money through NVM. God bless and love you all. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is working at Nehimiah Vision Ministries; you can read about their ministry at http://blog.nehemiahvisionministries.org/
Peace.
Hello from Haiti. I wanted to let you all know I am fine. We set up clinic in Chambran and treated about 200 people yesterday. About 1/3 were displaced from the earthquake. Mostly we treated babies. We have not gone downtown to witness the mass destructsion and have no desire to do so. I have not been watching the news, so I'm not sure what the are reporting.This is the first time I have gotten on the internet. There are plenty of buildings down all around this nieghborhood. I saw many people living in tent cities. People are afraid to sleep in their homes. The streets are blocked off at night and people sleep in the streets. The buildings that were built with in building codes are still standing. Many buildings were built with shotty cement, meaning little concrete mixed with a lot of sand. When they fell they turned back into sand. I have not been exposed to the 'smell of death'. Thankfully. We went to church in Chambrun which is the highlight of my visits here. Thier committment to the lord is amazing to witnessI have seen my favorite kids and have added to the list. We are sending a five person team into the tent cities to treat earthquake victims. I should be on the team that goes out tomorrow. Today I will be back at the clinic in Chambran. My bus is leaving, so I have to run. Keep us in your prayers and please continue to try and raise money through NVM. God bless and love you all. Elizabeth
Elizabeth is working at Nehimiah Vision Ministries; you can read about their ministry at http://blog.nehemiahvisionministries.org/
Peace.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
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
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
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Haiti Committee International Dinner
Please plan to join us for a celebration on Saturday, September 19. The Haiti Committee will be sponsoring an International Dinner in the Parish Center, following the 5:00 Mass. Come and enjoy foods from Haiti, Mexico and Vietnam. Watch the bulletin for more information.
Our next Haiti meeting will be on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 in the Parish Center -- all are welcome to attend as we plan this event and discuss future plans.
Peace.
Our next Haiti meeting will be on Wednesday, August 5 at 6:30 in the Parish Center -- all are welcome to attend as we plan this event and discuss future plans.
Peace.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
A note from Joan Martin
Father Phechner, going up the path to Gaspard
Just checking in from PdP on Wednesday, April 22.
I was in Gaspard, in the mountains, from Friday to Monday. Then to Chansolme from Monday afternoon to Wed. morning. Both visits were very good.
In Gaspard, Fr. Phechner has finished the stucco on the outside of the church--a minor miracle, since all supplies must go up by mule or on someone's head. It rained most of the time, but it cleared a little on Sat. night, just in time for a celebration with the young people.
In Chansolme, Fr. Prophy and I were able to visit the mountain chapel of LaVisite to give out worm medicine tablets and vitamins to about half the students (120). Then today, we were able to do the same thing at the parish school in Chansolme--again about half of the students (110).
The past 3 weeks have had many disruptions for the schools. First, the mid-terms before Holy Week. Then a vacation for all of Holy Week. Then rain and the disorder before the elections, the week after Easter. Then a national holiday the Monday after the elections. Then market day, then a feast day, then rain. Some schools have not had classes for about 3 weeks. No one is happy about this--except the students.
I am hoping to leave PdP tomorrow about 6 AM on Tortugair for PAPrince. Then to Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago, and southern Indiana...arriving about 11PM at my mom and dad's house. My mom's knee surgery was this afternoon, and I am hoping all is OK.
Thanks for your prayers, and thanks for being there. Hope to talk to you soon.
Joan
I was in Gaspard, in the mountains, from Friday to Monday. Then to Chansolme from Monday afternoon to Wed. morning. Both visits were very good.
In Gaspard, Fr. Phechner has finished the stucco on the outside of the church--a minor miracle, since all supplies must go up by mule or on someone's head. It rained most of the time, but it cleared a little on Sat. night, just in time for a celebration with the young people.
In Chansolme, Fr. Prophy and I were able to visit the mountain chapel of LaVisite to give out worm medicine tablets and vitamins to about half the students (120). Then today, we were able to do the same thing at the parish school in Chansolme--again about half of the students (110).
The past 3 weeks have had many disruptions for the schools. First, the mid-terms before Holy Week. Then a vacation for all of Holy Week. Then rain and the disorder before the elections, the week after Easter. Then a national holiday the Monday after the elections. Then market day, then a feast day, then rain. Some schools have not had classes for about 3 weeks. No one is happy about this--except the students.
I am hoping to leave PdP tomorrow about 6 AM on Tortugair for PAPrince. Then to Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago, and southern Indiana...arriving about 11PM at my mom and dad's house. My mom's knee surgery was this afternoon, and I am hoping all is OK.
Thanks for your prayers, and thanks for being there. Hope to talk to you soon.
Joan
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Fat Tuesday/ Ash Wednesday
We received this note from Joan this week:
Dear everyone,
I am writing this to you from Bonneau, because I am visiting Fr. Carl and the preseminarians. But I am also trying NOT to be in Port-de-Paix for a few days. I am sure you know about Mardi Gras (Mardi is Tuesday). Well, Haiti takes that a few steps farther. They have Lendi Gras (Monday), Dimanche Gras (Sunday), and they would have had Samdi Gras (Saturday), but there was no electricity in PdP.
There is much loud music, many people marching and partying in the streets, young men in masks cracking long whips, drinking, and more disorder than usual....starting at about 5PM till very late at night. And it all passes by the convent numerous times.
I prefer the quieter rural areas.
I will write more after Ash Wednesday.
I wish you a peaceful Lent.
Joan
Dear everyone,
I am writing this to you from Bonneau, because I am visiting Fr. Carl and the preseminarians. But I am also trying NOT to be in Port-de-Paix for a few days. I am sure you know about Mardi Gras (Mardi is Tuesday). Well, Haiti takes that a few steps farther. They have Lendi Gras (Monday), Dimanche Gras (Sunday), and they would have had Samdi Gras (Saturday), but there was no electricity in PdP.
There is much loud music, many people marching and partying in the streets, young men in masks cracking long whips, drinking, and more disorder than usual....starting at about 5PM till very late at night. And it all passes by the convent numerous times.
I prefer the quieter rural areas.
I will write more after Ash Wednesday.
I wish you a peaceful Lent.
Joan
Friday, January 2, 2009
A Christmas Message from Father Phechner
Father sent the following message to Father Todd and our parishes this week:
Today December 27, 2008, two days after the birth of our Jesus Lord the Christ, I have been forced excessively of activities it prevented me to wish you a happy noel, but as one says he/it is never too late to make well.
The whole parish joins me to tell you how much we are happy to wish you a happy christmas 2008 and a good and happy year 2009.
The whole parish joins me to tell you how much we are happy to wish you a happy christmas 2008 and a good and happy year 2009.
That the Small Jesus grants you the peace and serenity.
sincerely yours! fr. Phechner, Gaspard
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