Mission Trip 2019

On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, our pastor, Fr. Peter, left from Worcester airport to travel through New York and arrived in Port-au-Prince in Haiti before noon.  From there, he had arranged transportation to Les Cayes, Haiti.  Making the 80 mile trip in a record time of  and a half hours he was in time to concelebrate a Mass at the Mission House of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate in the Gabion neighborhood of Les Cayes, Haiti.
This house is run by the Oblates and Fr. Peter has maintained a friendship with the Oblates and its Southern Mission Director, Fr. Alfred Charpentier, OMI over time with his travels to visit his twinning project in Les Cayes.  Fr. Fred was a true lifesaver for him when they first met in January of 2007.  At that time,  Fr. Fred arrived as Director of the Southern Province when a diocesan official from the Haitian Apostolate in Worcester refused hospitality to a guest traveling with him so that he and his traveling companions were literally in the street.  Since then, their collaboration with the Boys’ Home in Les Cayes has produced a strong friendship between the two men and their respective ministries.  Here is a photo of the outside of the Provincial House with the letters of the order (OMI) cleverly incorporated into the pillars for the roof of the front portico.  

With a night’s rest accomplished on Thursday, our group set out to visit the Foyer.  This is the short identity to the Foyer de Saint Etienne.  This elderly home has been run by the Oblates since the mid-1980s when they moved elderly that had been squatting on abandoned land since many of them, old and sick, had been abandoned as well.  Begun by the Oblate Father Charles Gagnon as an effort from Sacre Coeur Parish, it has been successfully twinned with Saint Mark’s Parish from the Diocese of Worcester in Sutton, MA.  It was impressive to see the changes that have taken place through the years and the quality of life that has improved for the residents here.  Fr. Fred, our tour guide, was quick to point out that unlike many American counterparts, residents here don’t prefer single rooms or being alone. They pair a more disabled resident with one who is more capable so that they can care for and look out for the other’s needs.  They appreciate that they are no not alone for the most part.  Therefore, the patients enjoy a far greater quality of life than they knew elsewhere and many are buried from the chapel here once our Lord calls them home.

Returning to the Mission House, Fr. Peter received a call back from Fr. Bernard, the pastor of Sacre Coeur.  They will meet on Friday afternoon.

On Friday, January 18th, Pere Bernard came to the Mission House and a visit was arranged for Saturday to visit the parish, see the improvements that the parish had paid for and to enjoy lunch with the priests.  In addition,  Pere Bernard had extended an invitation to Fr. Peter for Sunday morning Mass and he wanted to meet with the translator who would translate his homily from Spanish into Creole for the people. 
On Saturday, Pere Bernard arrived to pick up Fr. Peter and take him to the parish to show him around.  The block all around the church is swollen with vendors selling anything and everything imagineable from live chickens to fresh fruits and vegetables to soap and used clothing.  Pere Bernard carefully navigated the streets and welcomed us warmly to his house.  He was delighted to show off the common room on the second floor of the rectory provided by the funds from Saint Mary’s Parish.  Then he took us to the balcony to show the metal casing for the batteries that are powered by the solar panels on the roof and the investor that is mounted on the wall of the stairway that provides the electricity to the house.  Again, all funded by Saint Mary’s Parish.  
Leading the tour into the church, he stopped to point out the generator for the church, provided by funds from CRS, a USA Catholic organization which is a second collection in our parishes.  Then, he was quite proud to show off the efforts so far to install a wooden ceiling from our most recent contributions.  The roof was torn off by Hurricane Matthew and having replaced the roof, but not the ceiling, pigeons are now roosting in the rafters and soiling parishioners with their droppings during Mass.  The nave of the church is complete from the sanctuary to the bell tower and is impressive to behold, about forty feet above the flor of the church.  The transepts and the side aisles still need to be completed.  Once outside he pointed out the wall that has already been repaired with funds from Milford and then areas of the wall that have been breached with the hurricane.  Fr. Peter shared a real concern that this puts the priests at risk in a dangerous neighborhood.  He then pointed out the convent and the brothers’ monastery both abandoned since the neighborhood has turned violent with the influx of an undesireable element from other parts of the country following the earthquake and then the hurricane.
During this time Pierre arrived to meet with Fr. Peter and discuss the translation for the following morning during Mass. Following a delicious lunch of local Haitian food, the visit was complete.
Later that day our mission group traveled with Fr. Fred to the Fraternite des Jeunes.  This was originally the site of the abandoned lot where the old people squatted in a hanger like building.  Once the moved to the Foyer Saint Etienne, Fr. Gagnon converted it into a gym where local youth could gather for exercise and sports.  Since may of them lived on the street they would wonder at the end the day why they need to leave when they were only sleeping on the street anyway. The gym was converted to the Fraternite des Jeunes de la Rue about 1980 and was funded by donations from Fr. Gagnon’s brother.  A trust fund still contributes to this cause.  In 1994, Saint Mary’s Parish teamed with Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury to fund the monthly expenses.  When the students who had visited Haiti graduated the school dropped its support and the parish took up the entire funding.  This sponsorship occurred while Fr. Peter was assigned in Southbridge and still continues following his transfer.  Since his first visit in 2001, this has been the man focus of Fr. Peter’s mission in Haiti, now replaced by his efforts with Pere Bernard at Sacre Coeur.  It was a wonderful visit to see the changes and improvements, to recognize familiar faces and meet many new ones.  Fr. Fred stressed that the intent it to make the house appear as any residence on the street and that this is a home where the boys live and learn every day.

As arranged, at 5:30 AM, Pere Bernard arrived at the Mission House to take Fr. Peter to the 6 AM Mass.  With generous hospitality, he was welcomed by all in the parish.  This Sunday’s gospel with the story of the water made wine at the wedding at Cana was a wonderful opportunity to speak of the love of God, our covenant being made new in Christ as the promise of the heavenly wedding banquet and foreshadowed by the Eucharist we celebrate and the twinning covenant of our two parishes.  While Pierre translated into Creole Fr. Peter’s homily given in Spanish, the full church was silent and attentive throughout.  Reassured of the prayers and support of our parish, we left renewed that God is at work among us, that we each have something important and special to bring to this covenant and each of us also needs the other for our success.  Pere Bernard presided with Fr. Peter and Fr. Danilou concelebrating.  A choir of nearly a hundred voices led the music as every part of the Mass was sung, including the prayers of the faithful.  The faith of the people, their energy and enthusiasm was contagious and inspiring.  While this 6 AM Mass finished at 8:10 AM, it seemed to last only a half an hour with the vibrancy of the celebration.  Following a quick and delicious breakfast of French meat pies, Pere Bernard brought our team back to the Mission House in time to travel with Pere Fred to the Foyer for Mass there as well. 
At 4 PM that Sunday afternoon, Pere Bernard has arranged for our group to meet with the Bishop of Les Cayes, Cardinal Chibly Langlois, the first Cardinal in the history of the Church from Haiti and currently the only active cardinal in the church who is not an archbishop.  As promised, Pere Bernard arrived at 4 PM to drive us to the Cardinal’s residence which faces the main park in Les Cayes, near the former diocesan house of Kay Saint Paul.  When the Cardinal arrived, he greeted us warmly and we sat in his receiving area sharing our personal stories, our individual involvement over the years, and more specifically the work between Sacre Coeur and Saint Mary in Milford.  He listened intently and given his superb fluency in English, our conversation was most pleasant and interesting.  

After awhile, he offered us some refreshments and we moved to another room where we shared a glass of wine or beer, or soda and some light refreshments.  Our conversation went more deeply to the issues of the Church, our involvement throught the years.  One of his most interesting questions was his intrigue that we would journey to Haiti and he asked us if we were afraid.  To a person, we answered that we are sometimes more afraid in the United States than we have ever been in Haiti, such is the world that we live in.  As we closed in on an hour and a half, realizing he had a parish anniversary that morning, and showing no signs of tiring, we did not want to overstay our welcome and asked for the privilege to take some photos with him and to receive his blessing for our work.  He gratefully gave his blessing to Fr. Peter to share with all of his parishioners in Milford for the work they continue to do with Sacre Coeur.

With a full day behind us, we took our leisure to catch the AFC Championship game, explaining American football to the Haitian brothers watching and assuring them that until the final second played out, there was always the expectation that our team would win.  And they did!  From there we travelled outside under a clear and bright sky to watch the lunar eclipse.  Since the moon was directly overhead and it was straining to watch with our heads all the way back, we placed a mirror on a chair to give our necks a rest and still enjoy this exceptional astronomical event.   Indeed a full and richly blessed day from start to finish.

Today was the one vacation day we allowed ourselves.  Renting a vehicle we traveled southwest along the coast and over the mountains to Port Salut.  With clean beaches of white sand and clear water, it is a destination for many along the southwest to enjoy the Caribbean water and sun along with local food, tropical lobster grilled on an open fire.  We returned in time for Mass and discussion on the current state of affairs in Haiti and our own country and the Church.  Restful, but invigorating in many ways.

This morning, Pere Bernard picked us up in late morning for Fr. Peter’s third visit to the parish this trip.  As requested, Pere Bernard was leading a visit to the parish school, Ecole Pere Yves Jocelyn.  Following Hurricane Matthew in October of 2016, the former convent that housed the Sisters of Saint Anne for many years and abandoned years before was then in ruins.  Pere Bernard began repairs and opened a parish school that now has four grades and will one a year until it reaches it potential.  As our group step through the door, a cheer went up and then there was total silence.  Reaching their cafeteria area, the entire school had assembled to greet our group.  Without hesitation every voice, a hundred and fifteen strong began to sing a welcome and a thank you in French.  Pere Bernard spoke of their gratitude for our journey to their land and their parish, and the blessing it was to receive us as guests.  Then two of the students stepped forward to offer their gratitude in generous and supportive words in Creole.  Then they presented him with a handmade wooden plaque with the map of Haiti that he promised would have a place of honor in his parish to remind everyone of their prayers and support from our sister parish and its school.
Then there was another song.  Fr. Peter spoke to them of his deep appreciation, how thrilled he was to be with them and how much he enjoyed being in a Catholic school again.  He asked a favor that they would pray for his parish to have a new school as good as theirs to teach the young people in his town the lessons and the faith they shared in their school.    Then the children returned to their classrooms, our group visited and thanked them again, and Fr. Peter offered his blessing to each of the groups of students.  There are two classrooms on the first floor that face the parish and a third in the back that faces the side street and a fourth class on the second floor next to the Director’s (Principal’s) office. There is still space available for the school to grow.  Their school day begins at 8 AM and is concluded by 1 PM, Monday through Friday.  It was a most enjoyable and uplifting visit giving one inspiration for the work that Pere Bernard is doing and the fine team that is working with him.  And to realize it has all been done since the hurricane which was just two years ago this past October!
Following our visit, we returned to the rectory for a delicious and generous lunch of fish and beef with rice, pasta, vegetables and bread pudding for dessert!  Both of our priests host and the Cardinal have shared exceptional and generous hospitality during our visit.  Fr. Peter was able to return some of this kindness in sharing anointing with Fr. Fred before his departure with oil that weeps from the Blessed Sacrament in the room of Little Audrey in Worcester where he has a role.  His prayer was for God's strength to heal and fill Fr. Fred for the important work that he does in God's name in Haiti.
It has been delightful, enriching, and so inspiring.  There is much to share and tell on the return to the parish in Milford.

The day began early at 5 AM to be on the road at 6 AM for the four hour ride into Port-au-Prince for a 12 Noon boarding for a 1 PM flight to JFK.  Our plane could not get potable water in Haiti so we were routed to Ft Lauderdale on the way to NYC. After an hour on the ground, we headed home uneventfully landing at 7 PM instead of 5 PM. After a three hour layover giving us time to clear immigration and customs and transfer for the flight to Worcester. With cloudy skies and a steady rain falling, our plane was buffeted by strong winds as we landed just before Midnight.