1/14/10 3:00 p.m.
NATIVITY RESPONSE
Fr. Martin has decided on a 3-prong response to the immediate need for aid. An announcement in this coming weekend’s Church Bulletin will say in part:
“First, next weekend, at all the masses, we will have the Starfish basket out to receive your contributions. The Starfish basket is a quiet, simple presence. You can pass it by, or you can put a little something in it – your choice. Gifts can also be sent or dropped off in the church office at any time. Just put Haiti Earthquake Relief in the memo line and make the check payable to Nativity Church.
“Second, gather your entire family, children included, and help us pack 100,000 meals on Feb. 19 and 20 to be sent to Haiti. We are working with Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on this project. Contact Cynde Mausolf, cyngar@cox.net, 703-663-8484, for more information.
“Third, help us fill a sea container with critically needed supplies (canned vegetables and meats, powdered or canned milk, bottled water and diapers) to be sent to Haiti. A truck will be at Nativity next weekend at all the masses. Contact Melinda Engelbrektsson, swedes5@cox.net, 703-690-9921, for more information.”
STATUS OF NATIVITY VILLAGE PROJECTS
The latest info from Food For The Poor is as follows:
Nativity Village I (Merger) - in the earthquake zone. no contact. no information
Nativity Village II (Prolonge) - per Fr. Duken, no loss of life, possible minor damage, heavy rain, spirits down
Nativity Village III (El Corte) - on Dom. Rep. border, probably felt tremors, no contact, probably OK
Nativity Village IV (Lozandier) - on south coast, near Jacmel, probably felt tremors, may have some damage, no contact
Nativity Village V (east of Cap Haitien) - heavy rain, probably OK, no definite info yet
Nativity Village VI (not yet under construction)
STATEMENT FROM FR. MARTIN
"This is a time when we must recognize the human suffering taking place in Haiti and pray as hard as we can for those who are grieving, in pain, confused and hurting in ways we will never understand. We must in the days to come activate that prayer with our hearts, hands, feet and resources. I have come to know the Haitian people as people of hope. We are called to support their spirit of hope with our prayer and material sacrifice."
EMAIL FROM FR. DUKEN AUGUSTIN, CAP HAITIEN
“The whole country is in state of shock. No phone service, Thank God we are safe and the Internet is working. But, Port-au-prince has gotten a lot of damages. As far as Cap-Haitien is concerned, we dont have the eatimate yet since it is raining heavily. It is dark. The whole city is covered with water, the people of Prolonge swamp for instance dont know what to do. This is a very tragic situation. We already have so many problems that we are unable to resolve after the devastation brought by the four hurricanes of 2008, there are so much suffering waiting to be adressed that this earthquake is really too much. A total disaster. We hoped that we would be able to make it but no way. No brake. No chance. We will have to deal with new needs, new sufferings, new situation of hunger, new despair, new devastation. Consequently, we will have to turn to you for help since we have noone else to turn to. Thank you for understanding
Fr Duken
FOR MORE INFO GO TO:
www.operation-starfish.org
Facebook - Groups – “Operation Starfish – Haiti Earthquake Updates
Jim McDaniel: seastar2004@msn.com
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