July 31, 2011

July 30, 2011
It’s after 5:30 on a Saturday afternoon. We’re having thunder and dark clouds but not much rain, at least so far. We could use some rain since everything is so dusty. Of course it’s always dusty, that’s because the windows are always open and when it’s dry, dust settles on everything. You could dust everything in your room and come back in half an hour and it would need dusting again. The answer is to just let it build up and dust maybe once a week. You have to cover your computer and printer to avoid major dust problems with them, but other stuff just gets dusty and you get used to it. It’s one of those things that just "is" here in Haiti or at least where I am in Haiti.

Yesterday we got the word finally that Father Alberto, the Provincial is going to arrive on Monday morning. Father Leoclides, the Assistant Provincial will get in on Tuesday. The Provincial is only staying five day. He will leave on Friday but Leoclides will stay until the eleventh. We have a lot to talk about and I’m somewhat anxious. However there’s a part of me that says that’s not the answer. Just wait and see what happens. My biggest question is will there be a novitiate beginning at the end of August or the beginning of September? We have seven men who are ready for a novitiate and in my judgment putting it off is something of an injustice – but that’s me. It also kills me that we have these seven men who are clearly ready. That’s something of a miracle in this day and age with vocations to religious life and priesthood so few. Anyway, I hope we the get permission for that.

Then there is the question of building a building on our newly acquired property. The house we are in is rented till December 2012 which means we better get our act in order and get serious about building a house of formation. The money for it is there since the congregation took up a collection for Haiti after the earthquake and what they raised will cover what we paid for the property and what we will need for the building. In Haiti land is expensive but construction costs are relatively inexpensive – at least in comparison to prices in the States. So all of this is part of what we have to talk about. I’m also trying to arrange a meeting with Archbishop. I will be sort of a courtesy call letting him know we’re here and having the new Provincial make his acquaintance. You may remember the former Archbishop was killed in the earthquake. He was a good man. I’ve heard nothing about the new Archbishop. He’s only been in office about three months.

It’s been quiet here in Lake Woebegone this past week. We were down to three but we added two more on Thursday and on Friday another one. Later today two came back from the summer camp that our men are running for the youth group from Cité Soleil. We’ve been getting the house in order for the Provincial’s visit. I’ll give him my room since it has a bath. The other one will be upstairs where there is a big room also with a bath. It will mean some rearranging but the men are very flexible. My days have been filled with reading and having my Creole lesson. I’ve mentioned I think that I’m making progress with the Creole. I still find it all but impossible to understand everyone at the table. They speak so fast and I’m lost. As for my speaking to them, that’s what’s coming along little by little. Also reading the prayers at Mass which change each Sunday, has gotten easier. I remember last year at this time I would be sweating bullets preparing for Sunday Mass. I’m much more at ease now, thank God.

I went again this week to the women’s prison with Anacréon. He’s the postulant who is my Creole teacher. I really admire him. He took the initiative to find this pastoral ministry and he is very good with the women. Lots of folks are afraid to enter a prison. It’s all because of the serotypes created by society. People in prison are like people outside of prison. Are there violent people there? Of course there are. Are there violent people outside walking the streets? Again, yes. I have to say that my experience of visiting prisons has been very positive. Anyway getting back to this visit it was good. Like last week, there were about 25 women in the room. I think they were surprised that I came back. I had told two who asked for a pamphlet on the rosary that I’d try to find one. One wanted one in French and the other one in English. To my surprise I found one among my things and Anacréon found the other. We also brought some rosaries. There is a woman in Niagara Falls who sent me two boxes of rosaries to bring to Haiti. I have been taking them a little at a time since I always have a weight problem with my suitcases. So they were happy we remembered.

We gave a lesson on God’s love. I was happy to do it and the women seemed attentive. I think all of us feel at some time or other, does God really love me? – I mean after all the bad stuff I’ve done or said. Of course the answer is yes. God loves us because of who we are, not because of what we do or don’t do. But in a world that has a way of putting us down it's not surprising that we forget that. So it was a good experience for me being there again. I’ll try to get back when I return from my time in the States.

Sunday morning: I’m getting ready to celebrate Mass at Ste Anne’s in Cité Soleil. This afternoon I’ll get my room ready for the Provincial to use during his visit. I’m hoping all goes well and I’ll let you know. Meantime blessings to all. Tom