St. Michael parishioners await word on loved ones in Haiti

Diocese mobilizes earthquake relief effort

Assistant pastor of Providence’s St. Michael the Archangel Church, Father Jacques-Eddy Chavannes, whose hometown is Cap-Haïtien in northern Haiti, expressed his deep concern about being unable to contact family and friends. He explained that he is waiting to hear from his twin sister and older brother.

“It is scary,” said Father Chavannes who last traveled to Haiti in October for the funeral of his mother. “I am very anxious about this. We are very concerned about getting news from families. They [parishioners] have been praying a lot and watching TV to see if they can see some image from their parents, relatives and friends.”

Home to a large Haitian community, St. Michael, which is located at 239 Oxford St., is doing all it can to provide assistance and comfort to its parishioners.

Father Thomas Ferland, pastor of St. Michael, said that the parish is very concerned with this recent disaster. He explained that unfortunately all communications are down in Haiti, making it nearly impossible for Haitian parishioners to contact loved ones.

“Everyone is still trying to get information. That is the problem,” said Father Ferland. “Everyone is so stunned at what has just happened, but not enough information is getting out. They don’t know how to respond yet.”

With a magnitude of 7.0, Tuesday’s earthquake struck ten miles outside of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, destroying buildings and causing widespread damage. The number of casualties was not immediately known, but local officials have called it a major catastrophe.

Father Ferland explained that the parish would be taking up a special collection during this weekend’s Mass to ask people to generously help out with the Haitian relief. A special Mass to pray for the victims of the earthquake will be celebrated on Friday, January 15, at 7 p.m. at St. Michael the Archangel Church.

“Right now, we are still trying to make communications possible,” said Father Ferland. “If people wanted to help we would be accepting donations and make sure that relief can get to the people immediately. It’s probably what they need most. From what I’ve seen on the television and reading in the paper, it looks and sounds that they are so devastated they really need monetary resources to help clean up as they do the search and rescue.”

Keeping his parishioners informed is a priority, Father Ferland explained, especially when communications begin to open up with the Caribbean nation of Haiti.

“We are getting in touch with our Haitian community — about 100 families — and we are going to keep our people informed,” said Father Ferland. “We are trying to see what is needed and we are going to respond to the needs as best we can as a Haitian community.”

In response to inquiries relative to how Rhode Islanders can support relief efforts in Haiti, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence today announced that it will coordinate the collection of donations in support of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the U.S. bishops' international relief and development agency.

In a letter that will be sent to pastors, Bishop Tobin is inviting parishes throughout the diocese to hold a special second collection at Masses prior to February 20 to benefit the efforts of Catholic Relief Services in Haiti. All funds collected at parishes will then be sent directly to CRS.

“The earthquake that struck the island nation of Haiti has inspired many to respond with generosity and prayer for those affected,” said Bishop Tobin. “For that reason the Diocese of Providence will invite parishes to hold a special collection of which all proceeds will benefit Catholic Relief Services, an organization that is preparing to provide direct assistance to the Haitian people. The need in Haiti is immediate and will last for years to come.”

CRS reports that it has made an initial commitment of $5 million for immediate use in the relief effort. The agency is geared up for a major emergency response to this severe disaster. CRS is mobilizing food and gearing up emergency capacity, and deploying prepositioned emergency shelter and hygiene kits in Haiti, as well as bringing supplies in from the neighboring Dominican Republic.

Individuals who would like to make an immediate donation to benefit Catholic Relief Services efforts in Haiti may send a check made out to Catholic Relief Services and mail to: Diocese of Providence, Haiti Relief, One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903

Those sending donations are asked to note ‘Haiti’ on the check.