haiti

On January 12, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti about 10 miles from its capital city.  The loss of life and damage has been horrific.  Already a poor country that has had more than their share of hurricanes and disasters.

There is a priest from this area that has a mission in Haiti, but he is located "in the hills" and he is safe.

An internet friend, who's husband is an emergency room doctor went to Haiti at the beginning of this week to give aid.  A message to her says that the conditions are terrible.  There are not enough supplies, not enough antibiotics, no pain medicine.  Orphans.  Little children crying in pain.  It is heartbreaking.

The bishops asked for a special collection last weekend.  Tonight our pastor thanked the people of our parish for their generosity and said "God will bless you".  A normal Sunday collection is between $3,000 and $4,000 in our parish.  Second collections can run anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a couple of thousand.  Last weekend, the second collection for Haiti was nearly $5,000! Amazing for our parish.

My penance last week, was to say a prayer for the people of Haiti.  That will certainly continue.