Last week we reported on the corn mill and mixer now being used at the Campeche (Gros Morne) hen house to produce feed for our 1,000 hens.

Gilbert and Honorine Nonaide, who came to the USA from a Cameroon refugee camp, are pictured here with two of their five children, taking possession of their new car.

As I gave thanks to God today for my many blessings, on this day of Thanksgiving I couldn't help but think of our country's beginnings:  Immigrants coming to a new shore in hope of a better life, freedom of religion, freedom from oppression and perhaps many other hopes as well filled their hearts.

Paloma Peňas, an Entreculturas and Foi et Joie volunteer here in Jean Rabel, over the last two years, has returned to Spain. Paloma, was a hit with young and old! She, a mid twenties lass, fitted into our community of older persons with patience, kindness and a willingness to share.

Dear Friends, Greetings! I am sending you a special message with an urgent request for prayers for the people of South Sudan. As you may know, the government and opposition, who have been fighting since the end of 2013, have been engaged in implementing a peace agreement which is to result in a Transitional Government of National Unity to be installed on November 12th.

Sr. Eileen Reid and I were happy that we were able to take part in this special liturgy – and particularly happy at the ease with which we found a parking space in downtown Washington, the site of St. Matthew’s Cathedral. (Thank you, Claudine!)

On January 19th, Sr. Rose Kelly, RJM, and Sr. Nazareth Ybarra, RJM, were presented with the prestigious William Jefferson Clinton Goodwill for Haiti Award which honors outstanding individuals who have undertaken extraordinary work and dedicated their lives to the people of Haiti.  The distinguished award was presented to them in Dublin Ireland, by Haven, the leading non-governmental Irish charity working on the ground in Haiti.

CATHOLIC NON-VIOLENT ACTION

On September 4th, I shared in a hope-filled experience with over 400 people in a Catholic Non-Violent Action for Immigrant Children in Newark, New Jersey.

The call throughout the event was to end the abuse, trauma, and detention of migrant children and was echoed in prayer, ritual, and a call to action by Catholic leaders. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, accompanied the group through the whole experience from St. Mary’s Church, through the streets of Newark, to the Federal ICE office.