Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti
Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily & a special message from our sister parishes in Haiti from July 3, 2005
The homily today will be shared by Fr Jocelyn Musalier, Pastor of our sister Haitian parish of Cavaillon.
This July 4 weekend celebrates the thowing off of the yoke of empire. No more taxation without representation. This historic rejection of empire needs to be reenacted in every generation, especially when some would want to take on the style of empire for America herself. Empires thrive on fear, force, domination and the creation of dependency.
The gospel calls us to a different Kingdom. My yoke is easy. The values of the Kingdom of God are mutuality, humility, solidarity and compassion. The freedom we celebrate includes independence from political domination. It also embraces freedom from violence , from hunger and from all that would oppress the human spirit.
Our sisters and brothers in Haiti suffer from many forms of indignity. In our sister relationship as parishes we have a unique opportunity to advance the Kingdom of justice , freedom and compassion.
--Fr. Creedon
Remarks from Fr. Jocelyn follow...
Good morning, dear brothers and sisters,
In the name of Cavalion parishioners, and in my own name, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate in your eucharistic banquet and convey their deep gratitude.
Indeed, they appreciate your financial support over 18 years (1978-2005) to carry out a number of social projects, such as construction of schools, clinics, and chapels.
In addition, thanks to your generous contributions, the illiteracy rate has considerably decreased in the Cavaillon parish. Example: you support 400 students in the church schools of Boileau and Berrette, and you make it possible for them to enjoy a warm meal during the ten months of the school year.
Without your financial contribution, many parents might not have been able to send their children to school.
Concerning the socio-political situation, it worsens day after day. at present, Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is a true focus of violence. And, in spite of the presence of UN soldiers working with Haitian police, throughout the day people disappear, are assassinated, raped or kidnapped. No sector is exempted. will it be possible to organize presidential, parliamentary and municipal elections in November 2005.
However, while the Port-au-Prince population feel fear and anguish, Cavalion and Gros Marin parishioners live peacefully.
Yet, families have painfully lived through seven months of drought. They could not farm the land, and had no harvest during this period.
In the face of this drought, the micro-credit program launched with St. Charles' help constitues a true development alternative for the Cavaillon and Gros marin families.
Actually, our small market retailers, men and women, would like to have access to small loans of $600 Haitian Dollars (US$100), at 2,5% interest per year, to be able to do trade and support their families. Women want the loan to buy and sell grains, such as rice and corn, olive oil, flour, sugar, and the like. Men want to borrow to buy and sell small cattle such as pigs, sheep and goats.
Men and women are expected to reimburse the loan within six months, Women are more trustworthy than men: up to 90% reimburse their loans, against up to 80% for men. In short, amounts contributed by St. Charles represent a working capital for the commercial activities of these small trade people.
As for the Southern Diocese Charities, it is responsible for training and providing technical assistance to the groups participating in the micro-credit program. this is why I encourage St. Charles parishioners to sponsor the micro-credit program, a safe development alternative for the families in Cavaillon and Gros Marin.
In today's gospel, Christ remind us that He is always ready to help us carry the yoke.
Cavaillon and Gros Marin people thank you for having contributed to make their yoke lighter and relieve their moral and material sufferings.
God bless and protect you.
--Fr Jocelyn Musalier, Pastor of our sister Haitian parish of Cavaillon
