February, 2010         

Our hearts and our prayers go out to the people of Haiti in this, their hour of national tragedy. A common phrase has rung out in the news reports: “Even on a good day.” With this phrase the reporters begin their comments on the abject poverty that exists in Haiti. Eighty percent of the population lives in poverty. Fifty-four percent live in abject poverty, with an income of $1 a day. In this state of misery – not poverty – it is easy to see how the 7.0 earthquake was able to wreak such havoc. What was already bad became far worse.

After my experience in Peru in June, 2001, I identify in a very special way with the victims and the rescue workers. The day of June 23, 2001, found me becoming both. It was the day that an 8.4 quake hit the far south of Peru at 3:33 PM. The area where I worked – San Francisco, Moquegua – turned out to be the hardest hit area. An unusual seismic phenomenon occurred that day. There were two epicenters, kicking off at the same time. Most of the residences were made of mud brick, which pulverized with the ninety seconds of force. Eighty percent of the structures in San Francisco came down. Electricity and water services went out. The aftershocks would soon be on their way.

The quake had struck as I was walking to the center of Moquegua. A quake is heard first. I thought, “What is that noise? There are no trains here.” Then the ground began to shake and undulate stronger and stronger. All of us on the street held on to each other to keep from being thrown to the ground. The shaking stopped and the screaming started. Street vendors had been killed and the shock of what had happened began to sink in. My first thought was for the children of the orphanage located in San Francisco, on the outskirts. I headed off running and did not stop till I rounded a bend and looked up to the top of the hill. The home was still standing (It had, however, been sufficiently damaged that Civil Defense would later declare the place uninhabitable, forcing an evacuation out to the farm of the orphanage, where they live to this day.). The children were moved to the mission chapel, pictured in last month’s newsletter. The flexible mat material took the blows in stride. Night came upon us rapidly as did the aftershocks.

The next number of months was devoted to relief efforts and reconstruction. Daylight hours found me and my truck working with the local government for food distribution. Everyone was living outside in tent camps. The neighbors banded together and ate from a “common pot.” The food was distributed throughout the area on a daily basis. Nighttime found me back at the tent camps, but this time for prayer. The young people of the parish, victims themselves who had lost their homes, would lead the people in uplifting songs. Eventually I would celebrate the mass. A month or so after the quake, the bishop put me in charge of a program for pre-fabricated wooden houses, measuring 3 yards by 6 yards. A glorified tool shed by First World standards, but it seemed like the Taj Majal for people who had been clearing through the rubble that was their home.

By the time I left Moquegua last year, everyone had a roof over their heads. I often thought that the emotional and spiritual wounds from the quake had yet to be healed.

This month I am urging you to forget about The Missionary Society of St. James the Apostle, in response to the greater needs of the Haitian people. Please send this month’s usual donation, and then some, to the Haitian relief organization of your choice. It is a time to remember that we are all one human family, the children of a loving God who needs our hands and our feet – and our generosity – to respond to the people of Haiti.

In the midst of this sadness, it is good to remember with joy the achievements of the missionaries. On Sunday, January 10th, a new church was dedicated in the mission of Fr. Colm Hogan in Guayaquil, Ecuador. He describes the experience for us:

“And so we came last Sunday to the blessing of the new parish church, our rainy season finally arrived the week before, so we were praying for a dry morning and we were lucky, as we had monsoon rains on either side of the celebration but the sun shone for the procession and mass. One of the local bishops here in Guayaquil, Marcos Perez, performed the blessing. He was very impressed with the bamboo style structure of the church and more impressed with the fact that the majority of the fundraising came from Ireland for the building of the same. I have to admit that the ceremony and the blessing of the church is one of the highlights of my priesthood so far. There were ten countries represented at the mass, giving it a great missionary effect. Those represented were Ecuador, obviously, Colombia, Peru, Australia, The United States, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Germany and of course Ireland. I have often said before that the whole story of mission is one of a team effort and all of the work being done out here could not be achieved without your great support and prayers.

"After the mass, as is customary here, the young people performed drama and dances and sang songs to round off a great day. The church out here is very much a young one, with many young people involved. The establishment of the parish has encouraged many children to get involved and right now we have over 350 children receiving catechesis for communion and confirmation. Our confirmation ceremony, which will be the first one ever in the parish, takes place on the 21st of February next.”

Fr. Colm’s experience combined with the news reports out of Haiti remind us how small our world has become. We can now become aware instantaneously of so many causes of sorrow and joy. Through our faith we can share these moments in Christ Jesus and be present to our brothers and sisters so far away.

Sincerely,

Rev. Kevin Hays
Director

Children from the Bethlehem Home in San Francisco, Moquegua took refuge in the reed mat chapel after the earthquake.

Scenes like the ones above, houses which appeared to have been broken in half, were common throughout all of Moquegua.

Rebuilding and starting over after a natural disaster is a daunting task. With already very limited resources, the poverty-stricken areas of the world suffer the most.

Those who were able assisted in the distribution of food and other supplies.

The people of San Francisco, Moquegua moved to temporary tent camps. They came together as a community, sharing in prayer, meals and song.

Above Fr. Colm Hogan and parishioners of El Bautismo de Jesús Parish proudly display the banner welcoming the community to the inauguration of the new church.

Parishioners come out for the inauguration of their new church. This new building will not only provide the people with a physical structure in which to gather and pray, but also with a great sense of community.

The young parishioners performed plays and dances as part of the celebrations.

Parishioners fill Corpus Christi Church.

Shown above are just a handful of the parish's new first communicants.

Present at the mass were Society priests and a local bishop. Above, from left: Fr. Colin MacInnes, Fr. Tom Oates, Bishop Marcos Perez, Fr. Colm Hogan and Fr. Frank Jones.