Bridges

Last week, from March 7 - 11, I had an opportunity to visit the Novitiate of the Americas in Mexico City and to spend time with Middia Doute, our second-year novice.

MEET THE JEAN RABEL TEAM - Haiti: This year we are six members! Three Irish, three Spanish.

During the Bicentenary we featured contributors’ memories of an RJM who had touched or inspired them in some way.  This year’s jubilarians were asked if they had memories to share.  Sr. Jackie Picard is the first to reply.  Note that all readers of Bridges are warmly invited to contribute.  Keep them coming!

In 1989 Sr Pierrette, SNJM, Mr. Jean Desnor and Mr. Claude Etienne began the Jesus-Mary school under a Kanip tree (seen on far right) and Pierrette then built a one-room schoolhouse which closed when illness forced her return to Canada.

Again, we are faced with an 'address to our nation' presenting the migrants without any dignity, respect or compassion and depicting them close to being a 'national threat' even while many political figures and people along the border have presented a starkly different picture.

On January 19, 2019, Sr. Rose Kelly, RJM and Sr. Nazareth Ybarra, RJM were presented with the prestigious Willian Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award which honors outstanding individuals who have undertaken extraordinary work and dedicated their lives to the people of Haiti.

On January 12th (the anniversary of the big 2010 Haiti earthquake), the Montfortain Fathers celebrated the ordination of two young priests who were ordained in our parish church.

Sr. Vivian Patenaude, has been in Argentina for two weeks assisting RJMs with their spoken English. Just before her return to the USA on January 9th, she sent the following update...

Sr. Rose Kelly, RJM and Sr. Nazareth Ybarra, RJM received the following letter from Mr. Leslie Buckley, founder and Chairman of HAVEN, announcing that they will receive the William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award for their extraordinary work and dedication to the people of Haiti.

On Saturday December 8th Sr. Natalia Mejia, RJM and I participated in the 'Caravan of Love' with Enrique Morrones (founder and leader of the Border Angels) and his Border Angels.