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Fr. Herald, Br. Pierre Toussaint, Br. Elijah (who was also joined by his mother and sister), Br. Rufino, Sr. Clare and Sr. Miriam participated in the Friar Suppliers’ annual January mission trip to Haiti. This was Fr. Herald’s fourth visit to Haiti, and it was a significant occasion for the nation as well, as it marked the five year anniversary of the massive earthquake in 2010 that killed so many and wrought horrific destruction. As in years past, this years trip had four major components: the construction of 58 homes, a medical clinic that attended 2000 patients (1400 adults and 600 children), food distribution to 650 families, and evangelization. A new dimension to the evangelization component was an Evangelization Day that followed Mass on Sunday, January 4th. It included praise and worship music, prayer, the enactment of parables, short reflections, and Eucharistic Adoration and healing. Franciscan Mission Outreach is helping with the reconstruction of one of the residences of the Little Brothers of St. Therese (the religious order of brothers who are our Haitian collaborators and hosts) that was damaged in the earthquake.
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HONDURAS: Feb and Mar 2015
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Fr. Herald made two trips to Honduras in the first months of 2015. In January, with the assistance of Missioners of Christ, he directed a weekend retreat for the Eucharistic Adoration group at the local campus of the Catholic University of Honduras. The following weekend they made a pastoral visit to the island of Utila, and - during the week in between - celebrated the national feast of Our Lady of Suyapa, and visited the prison, the home for the elderly and a residence for troubled adolescents. Fr. Herald also conducted a Lenten parish retreat and a few evenings of recollection. After travelling and preaching for three weeks in the US (in Florida, Georgia, Maryland and the Bronx), Fr. Herald returned to Honduras for the last two weeks of Lent to assist with nightly penance services and coordinate the third annual Holy Week outreach to tourists called “Jesús en la Playa / Jesus at the Beach.†This event, which included the participation of youth from La Ceiba, has become very popular and received an extremely positive response. It was covered by the local Catholic radio station and the national Catholic television network.
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CAMEROON HEART SURGERY UPDATE
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In February of this year, five of the seven patients cosponsored by Franciscan Mission Outreach for heart surgery at the Cardiac Centre, St. Elizabeth Hospital, Shisong, Cameroon, were operated. They include Janet Ngamfon (above, top left) and Karl Adrian (above, bottom left), both pictured in recovery, as well as Gerald Amal (above, top right) and Tatiana Njiki (above right, second from top).
Tatiana Touoyem (above right, third from top) was also operated, and the surgery went well, though very sadly she later suddenly experienced respiratory and cardiac failure, from which she was unable to be resuscitated. Though her case involved some risk, the consulting doctors concurred with her decision to go ahead with surgery, and she had the presence and support of her family. Unfortunately, despite the best available care, tragedies like this cannot always be averted. Fr. Herald offered Mass for Tatiana’s repose, and our deepest sympathy goes out to her family.
Of the remaining two patients, Camila Fon’s (above right, fourth from top) condition was reassessed and was able to be treated by a procedure done in the catheterization lab. Denise Mariotte’s (above, bottom right) case was postponed for further consultation with specialists who are planning to visit in the near future. Any funds remaining from our Christmas campaign will be redirected to assist other waiting patients who do not have the financial resources to pay for their needed surgery.
Franciscan Mission Outreach, together with Dr. Ellen Dailor and MiDo, continue to look for ways to help Cameroonian patients in need get the heart surgery they require at the Cardiac Centre. Donations for that purpose can be indicated as such and sent to FMO.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 5 - June 1: La Ceiba, Honduras
- May 15: Patronal Feast of San Isidro
- May 21: Festival del EspÃritu
- May 25-29: Week of Evangelization, Catholic University
- May 30-31: Pan de Vida Retreat
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June 8 - 25: African Mission Trip
- June 9-16: Diocese of Ho, Ghana Bread of Life Eucharistic Youth Retreat
- June 17-24: Kumbo, Cameroon Bread of Life Eucharistic Youth Retreat
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The Resurrection, by Chinese artist He Qi.
“Christ is risen from the dead, Trampling down death by death,
And upon those in the tombs, bestowing life.†Paschal Troparion
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Our missionary efforts depend on your spiritual and financial support. Please pray for us! Tax-deductible donations to support the life, ministries and missionary outreach of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal can be made online by clicking on the link below:
Donations can also be made by check to the order of : “Franciscan Mission Outreach†and sent to :
Franciscan Mission Outreach
PO Box 1086
Secaucus, NJ 07096-1086
Tel: 718-618-4511
Fax: 201-667-2801
Thank you! You are in our prayers!
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