The first two funerals in our little Haitian village...

Dear Friends,

News has been quiet lately from our little village in Boucan-Carre, Haiti. This is the first we've heard of structural damage since the quake, other than the second floor of the hospital's ceiling crack. The rectory's kitchen wall has a crack in it which was just discovered yesterday.

I wanted to explain who Deacon Onac is as most of you I don't think ever met him. Deacon Ocan is a transitional Deacon who grew up in Boucan-Carre. He has been in seminary for a long time and is due to be ordained a priest on Feb. 7th. His deceased cousin is named Laromie, 23, whom I honestly don't remember but I'm sure I've met in the past.

I gave Deacon Onac $300 from last year's Thanksgiving Day collection for Haiti towards the purchase of his chalice and patton that he will need in less than a month if the schedule of his ordination doesn't change. You have to wonder where they might have that ordination though as the Cathedral is in ruins. I'm certain there are bishops around that could do it but where????

People keep asking me about if there were deaths in our village. The answer is no, to if people physically lost their lives in BC. However, Port au Prince draws thousands of people from rural Haiti as it's the one place where there is work to be found. Young people, especially, migrate there to the "big city." In PAP, there is a way to find work, make a little money, continue your education, and improve yourself. There will be thousands and thousands of funerals in the coming months in small villages like Boucan-Carre, for people lost in the earthquake.

Fr. Chris Michelson gave an awesome homily last night at the vigil Mass in which he used the interplay between Jesus and Mary at the wedding feast at Cana. He called us all to ask ourselves, "how does your concern affect me? Mary's response: "Do whatever He tells you." And so the first miracle is performed and the water is turned into delicious wine. So we must ask ourselves now, what is Jesus telling us? Certainly to help in various ways through intense giving, through prayer for the suffering and those mourning the loss of loved ones, for all those orphaned last Tuesday...

Let us remember the first two funerals in BC... for Deacon Onac's cousin Laramie, and for St. Lot, Fr. Fitho Jean's brother. Both were just 23 years old.

My the souls of the faithful Haitian departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in peace.

Each of us is being called by Christ to respond to this tragedy. we can honor the dead through self sacrifice, through talking about Haiti with everyone we know, and not let it drift outside of our consciousness. We must keep Haiti's people squarely in front of our hearts and never forget... never.

-dpat