The Sisters of St. Joseph and the People of Haiti

This week we are invited to pray for the 21 Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Vallier ministering in Haiti in pastoral ministry, education, health care, and working with the poor. Other ways CSJ’s support the people of Haiti: Presently the Canadian and U.S. Federations of the Sisters of St. Joseph are involved in a 10-year joint project, in collaboration with a non-profit organization called Mission Haiti, Inc. This organization is based in a parish in Minneapolis, where a Sister of St. Joseph is on staff. Excerpts from the February 2020 communication: Rebuilding Haiti through the Empowerment of Girls is in its eighth year of making a difference in the lives of ten girls in Leogane, Haiti. This collaborative project of the U.S. and Canadian CSSJ Federations started in 2012 in response to the devastation that occurred after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti. So many changes in the past 7 years have occurred in Leogane, Haiti. Especially in the lives of our girl-students. We have been blessed to be a part of the growth. It is a delight to share some of the accomplishments and challenges that are happening in the lives of the students and teachers, both in Haiti and the U.S. • The girls have grown and this year all of them will be attending the secondary school at College Coeur de Marie. • Continued investment in the education and support of the teachers has resulted in stability among teachers and staff. During the forced closing of the schools due to civil unrest and opposition to government policies and corruptions, the teachers were able to be supported because of your generosity. • Both schools opened in January 2020. Changes in schedule include a longer school day and the continuation of classes thru July. This is all to make up “for lost time.” • Some current News from Anita Witta (Board Member of Mission Haiti): “The country is paralyzed and has been in lock down for many weeks. Sr Edna states that food is difficult to get and everything is very expensive. When you can get to the market, there is little food there due to no deliveries, roads are blocked. Electricity is scarce and so is gas. If the Sisters run the generator, they need diesel and that is difficult to find and extremely expensive. Downtown Leogane has experienced much violence on the streets with protestors. It is quite sad to read about the hospitals.” Sisters Jackie Janisse and Sister Janice Jonescu (CSJ in Canada) collaborate with a Canadian woman living in Haiti who has taken into her care 9 children at Maison Ke Kontan. Recently she has begun to empower local women through education and small business loans. In the midst of our own challenges we hold the people of Haiti, the Sisters and all in their care, in our hearts and prayer.