Join us Sat. Oct, 23rd from 6:30-9:30pm at Blessed Trinity Church for free dinner and dancing as we raise funds to rebuild Beau Sejour, Haiti! Register online at http://rebuildbeausejour.eventbrite.com -- the event will feature free Haitian-style cuisine and a free concert by the award-winning Haitian Gospel group, Evangel. Even if you can't make it, you can make a donation online at the event page. Thank you for your generosity!

We received an update from Fr. Ronal today. He is currently working to identify the people in Beau Sejour who are most in need of medical care. To ensure they get seen by our medical mission team in April, Father is distributing tickets to those with the most urgent health problems. The team hopes to treat up to 500 people during their time in Haiti. Fr. Ronal’s email (below) gives you some insight into the challenges their community is currently facing:

“No problem with the water except that you have to bring the product to treat the water.  All the cisterns at the rectory are disconnected. Deworming treatment [is] very important. I will already begin the distribution of the tickets this week and we'll arrange for the most urgent cases to be seen.

The food situation is becoming difficult.  Lots of people are leaving Port-au-Prince to come to Beau Sejour.  Now there are many more people to feed in the families. Now I have a communication problem with the Internet.  My system does not work very well. I believe that the team will make the best of the situation.  But we'll do our best so that all will go well for the benefit of the people of Beau Sejour.  As far as medicine is concerned, we have nothing at the health center.  The reserves we had are lost in the ruins.  And the medication you will bring is important.  Many people are also suffering from stomach pains.  I imagine that they are ulcer attacks. 

I send you my prayers and greetings.”

-- Fr.Ronal

The Twinning Committee met on Monday, February 22, to identify the medicines that need to be procured for the people of Beau Sejour. In April, we will be sending a small Medical Mission team to Beau Sejour to provide medical care. We are hoping to be able to treat up to 300 children and 200 adults over four days during the week following Easter.

Dr. Ilka Nazario, an Internal Medicine/Pediatrics Physician, and Anne Richter, a certified nurse-midwife, attended the meeting to identify the specific medicines and supplies that should be purchased for the trip.

Anne, a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, has a Master’s degree in Public Health and has extensive experience providing care to people in developing countries. She provided invaluable guidance to the team and insight into what the medical team from St. Paul’s has encountered on their trips to Haiti.

In addition, Patsy Jamieson, a nurse and seasonal parishioner from Prince Edward Island, Canada, has volunteered to organize the breakdown and packaging and labeling of the medicines (they will be labeled in French).

Fr. Ronal has identified pain killers, vitamins and blood pressure medicines, as crucial needs.

We received some very sad news today from Fr. Ronal. Here is his latest email:

“I apologize for not answering as quickly as before due to the communication problems now existing in Haiti. I don't have an exact number of parishioners injured by the earthquake but more than 300 dead have been counted in the parish, including the chapels and numerous destroyed and damaged houses.

Up to now we have not started school.  Besides we have to demolish the building and build another.  There are cracks in all the compartments.

Please tell Karen and Father Tapp for me that I am very eager for the mission in April. I have already installed a little house for my guests in April.  It is small but I think we'll manage. Concerning the medicine, I believe that we will need lots of vitamins, high blood pressure medicine, and pain killers.

Also please thank the parishioners of Holy Family for their donations to Beau Sejour. 

Union in prayer,
Fr.Ronal”

Father Paul was inspired with a wonderful idea for a fundraiser this Lent. The idea is simple: just give up a few luxuries during the week, and put the money you save into a special envelope for St. Gabriel. When Easter arrives, everyone will bring their envelopes to Church and all the funds will be donated to the people of St. Gabriel parish.

This is a great way to make your Lenten observation make a big difference in the lives of those in Beau Sejour. If you would like to participate in this special observance, pick up a pack of envelopes from one of the entrances to the Church. They have a large purple cross printed on them, with the words “Carrying the cross with our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”