Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Haiti Update

Update 04/15/2010  2:25 p.m.
Emails and phone call from Haiti

We spoke with Father Laneau at the beginning of the Triduum. He informed us that life in Perodin is still challenging. They have experienced an influx of new parishioners and over 50 children are now students at the school.

He did come to St.Marc to pick-up the sewing machings. He was able to take only one since they had to disassemble it in order to bring it up the mountain and he wanted to be sure they could rebuild it. The operation was successful and he will be coming back to pick-up the other 4 reserved for them.
 
Due to the influx of students the rice supply has now been exhausted, but he hopes to purchase some on his visit to St. Marc later this month.
Deacon Mortel - from the Baltimore missions office is heading to Haiti on April 7th and will take with him $6,000. for our sister parish. The money was raised from our Haiti 100, our Haiti festival and also from many generous donations. We are grateful for all your support of our sister parish.

 

From Father Laneau in Haiti:
OUI,la pluie a bel et bien commence.Elle commencait depuis le 29 Mars dernier,pas de forte pluie;mais nos routes dans les mornes sont tres boueuses.Je suis entrain de me preparer pour me rendre cet apres-midi a la chapelle de Hosse et je paseerai le week-end.La semaine prochaine ce sera le tour de la chapelle de Marouge et enfin la derniere semaine du mois d'Avril jusqu'a 2 Mai ce sera le tour de la chapelle de Fond-Bleu.Encore une fois mes salutations aux votres.
Pere Laneau Bonne Journee UNION de PRIERE



English Translation: 
Yes the rainy season has begun. It began on March 29, not heavy rain, but none the less the roads in the mountains are very muddy. I am presently preparing to leave this afternoon to go the the chapel in Hosse, I will be there for the weekend. Next week I will go to the chapel in Marouge and then from the last week of APril till May 2nd it will be Fond-Bleu. Once again salutations to you and yours.
Good day united in prayers.

 

 

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Update 04/14/2010  1:05 p.m.
Emails from Haiti

From Father Laneau in Haiti:
CBonsoir Suzanne,
Vendredi dernier,j'avais rencontre le diacre Mortel il m'a tout donne.Les eleves sont contents ainsi que les Professeurs,ils m'ont charges de vous remercier pour ce que vous etes et ce que vous represente pour eux.Sans vous flattez,ils sont contents et fiers de vous.
Mes Salutations et remerciements a FR Joe,les Habitues de Perodin ainsi que tous les Paroissiens de notre Sister Parish OLPH
Bonne Nuit. P Laneau


English Translation: 
Hello Suzanne
Last Friday, I met with Deacon Mortel and he gave me your generous gifts. The students and the teachers along with the parishioners are very happy to have received such a gift. THey have charged me to say thank you to you since you are the representative of your parish in their eyes. Without giving you too much flattery they are happy and very proud of you.
My salutation and thank you to Fr. Joe, those who have traveled to Perodin and all the parishioners of our sister parish OLPH.
Good night- Fr. Laneau

 

 

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Relief needed for migrants and students
Our relief efforts will be concentrated in the Department of Artibonite, which borders are those of our sister Diocese of Gonaives. Artibonite is the second largest department in Haiti. It is where we have built and operate three schools and where 20 out of 35 parishes are twinned with parishes in the Archdiocese of Baltimore or the Diocese of Harrisburg.

Before the earthquake, it was in Artibonite where our program was feeding and educating over 15,000 children every school day. Since the earthquake, 180,000 individuals, including 8,232 students have migrated to the various cities and towns in the Department of Artibonite, requiring feeding, lodging and clothing. This significant influx of people is creating additional burdens, particularly on the schools.

Although we are preparing to ship three additional containers of food to the Department of Artibonite, financial help is needed for the schools. Very soon, I will send you a detailed accounting of the funds already collected along with a report on how it will be distributed.

God Bless

R. Mortel
www.highhopesforhaiti.org

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Update 02/18/2010  4:34 p.m.
Emails from Haiti

From Father Laneau in Haiti:
Chere Suzanne,
Je n'etais pas present a Perodin,j'etais en tournee pastorale dans les chapelles:Bien-Place (pour celebrer la fete patronale avec le patronat de Notre Dame de Lourdes.Pour ce faire,j'etais oblige de me rendre a Bien-Place depuis le Mercredi 10 fevrier et le Jeudi 11 le jour meme de la fete il ya eu une tres belle messe et j'etais reste jusqu'au Dimanche pour celebrer une vingtaine de Bapteme et une quinzaine de 1ere Communion).Puis hier Lundi j'etais a Fond-Bleu pour constater avec mes yeux les degats causes par le seisme du 12 janvier dernier et c'est aujourd'hui que je suis de retour a Perodin.C'est pour cette raison qu'on n'a pas communique pendant presque 2 semaines.
Bonsoir et BONNE NUIT
A LA PROCHAINE

English Translation: 
Dear Suzanne
I was not in Perodin, I was during pastoral visits of the chapels. I went to Bien-Place - to celebrate Notre-Dame of Lourdes, their patron saint. In order to be there on the 11th the day of the feast I left Perodin on Wednesday, February 10th. On Thursday, the 11th day of the feast, we have a wonderful celebratory Mass, and then I stayed until Sunday in order to celebrate about 20 baptisms, and 15 First Eucharist. Then, Monday I went to Fond-Bleu to see for myself the devastation of the January 12th earthquake, today I am finally back in Perodin and quickly responding to your last emails. It is for this reason that I was not able to communicate with you during the last 2 weeks.
Good evening and good night. Until the next time.

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Update 02/2/2010  12:58 p.m.

This information is was found by Agnes Supervavage, the Project Assistant, Baltimore Haiti Project, from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

Petite-Riviere is where OLPH Haiti committee members have stayed it is also where Fr. Laneau and the people of Perodin come to purchase rice, beans, and whatever else they need.  The information is from the LA Times.  This is the sister parish of St Timothy in Walkersville. Again, very telling about the situation in our sister parishes.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nation-and-world/la-fg-haiti-exodus1-2010feb01,0,2198467.story

BTW: For those who wonder: no, I don't spend all my time looking at all the newspapers in the US and abroad! Thanks to Diane Hawkins of OL of Mt Carmel. St Anthony Shrine in Thurmont, I receive lots of info on Haiti through an email list.
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Update 02/2/2010  12:55 p.m.
Emails from Haiti

This information is was found by Agnes Supervavage, the Project Assistant, Baltimore Haiti Project, from the Archdiocese of Baltimore. This map shows the displacement of people out of PAP as of Jan 28. As you see, the biggest number is towards the Artibonite which is the Diocese of Gonaives. It confirms what we have heard from the people in our sister parishes: lots of people coming to the area, people who have lost everything, who are hungry and lots of injured in the hospitals. 

http://oneresponse.info/Disasters/Haiti/MapCenter/publicdocuments/280110_population_movements.pdf

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Update 02/2/2010  8:34 a.m.
Emails from Haiti

From Deacon Mortel in Haiti:
After 2 full weeks, the time has come for me to leave Haiti and return to my family in PA and my job in Baltimore. Before I came down, I like everyone else watched the cable news and the networks reporting on the Haitian catastrophe. Knowing Port au Prince and the manner people live there, I was convinced that I was going to find the destruction much worse. I was wrong. It is just unthinkable.

I have never been to war, but I have watched on television the effects of the bombing of military targets. In Haiti, the targets were innocent infants, children and adults, as well as their homes, and their belongings. The powerful enemy were heavy blocks of cement. The war lasted less than a minute but killed thousands, injured hundreds of thousands and left more than a million homeless.

I took a last tour of Port au Prince and I saw homes after homes, blocs after blocs where the words "to be demolished" are written in large letters by the Department of Public Works. What will be left of Port au Prince after the completion of the operation, is anyone's guess.

R Mortel

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Update 01/28/2010  6:04 p.m.
Emails from Haiti

From Father Laneau in Haiti:
L'ecole n'est pas encore reprise c'est pour lundi prochain a Perodin pas encore au niveau national.Pour la nouriture:ce que nous avons pour le 1er trimestre a deja pris fin depuis la 1ere semaine du mois de Decembre.LA route entre Perodin et la Petite Riviere n'a rien.Notre petite maison a Perodin n'a aucun probleme,malgre les secousses elle tient encore.Les soeurs se portent tres bien ,mais la congregation a perdu 4 soeurs et un grand nombre de personnels.

English Translation: 
School has not started yet. We plan to open the school at Perodin on Monday, but nothing at the national level. As far as food is concerned, everything we had for the feeding program was done with by the beginning of December. The road between Perodin and Petite-Riviere is still passable. Ma little house is in good condition, even with the tremors she is still holding up. The sisters are doing ok, but their congregation has lost 4 sisters and many employees.

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Update 01/27/2010  2:20 p.m.
Emails from Haiti

From Father Laneau in Haiti:
Bonjour a vous Suzanne et a tous nos freres et soeurs qui constituent la Paroisse Our Lady Of Perpetual Help.
Hier j'ai pas eu le temps de vous faire part de ce qui a ete dit avec les comites surtout le soleil n'y apparait pas.Dimanche dernier c'etait la fete de la chapelle de Marouge qui a pour Patron St Francois de Sales.Il y a eu une tres belle celebration en plein air,parce que cette chapelle a ete ecrasee par la tragedie du 12 Janvier dernier ainsi que la Chapelle de Fond-Bleu et de Hosse...Bref,apres la reunion d'hier:les comites m'encourageaient a faire des demarches pour retrouver des fonds afin de pouvoir reconstruire les Chapelles devastees.Compte tenu de la devastation de ces chapelles on est bien oblige de les reconstruire au moment opportun.ET pour se faire il nous faut au moins US 12000$ par Chapelle.A Perodin,l'ancien etablissement qui logeait les salles de clase de 4e,5e et de 6e annee sont vraiment fissurees et d'un moment a l'autre tout peut ecraser par terre.
Suivant une petite enquette faite par les elus locaux de Perodin il y a plus une trentaine de personnes originaire de la zone qui sont mortes a PAP et une quinzaine d'autres sont portes disparues.Les gens pleurent et pleureront aujourd'hui encore peut-etre demain encore soit de leur filles ou de leur garcons disparus dans cette tragedie qu'est le Seisme du 12 Janvier 2010 jour inoubliable dans la memoire des haitiens et meme des etrangers qui sont victimes dans ce drame.
Cette situation lamentable et deplorable nous conduit quotidiennement d'aventage dans une sorte de MISERE miserable pour le Pays et que Perodin n'y echappe pas.Au contraire c'est pire a Perodin parce que il est plus eloigne que le reste du Pays.
Salutations speciales a Fr Joe Deacon Steve les deux Richards et Famille Mike et Famille ainsi que le comite pastoral etc.
Sincerement in Christo P Laneau NICOLAS
Adm de la paroisse de Perodin

English Translation: 
Hello to you Suzanne and to all our brothers and sisters who make up the OLPH Parish.
Yesterday I did not have time to tell you what was said with the committees. Last Sunday was the feast of the Marouge Chapel, whose patron saint is St Francis of Sales. There was a beautiful outdoor celebration because that chapel was destroyed by the January 12 tragedy, as well as the chapels of Fond-bleu and Hosse. In short, after yesterday's meeting the committees urged me to take steps to find the funds needed to rebuild the destroyed chapels. Given their devastation they will need to be rebuilt at the appropriate time, and to do so we will need at least $12,000 per chapel. In Perodin, the old building that housed the 4th, 5th and 6th grade classrooms has major cracks and may collapse at any moment.
According to research conducted by local officials, at least 30 people from our area died in Port au Prince and about 15 others are missing. People are crying and may cry again tomorrow over their girls and boys who disappeared in the tragedy that is the 12 January earthquake, unforgettable day in the memory of Haitians and even in the memory of the foreigners who are victims of this catastrophe.
This lamentable situation leads the country every day further into misery, from which Perodin is not exempt. On the contrary, it is worse in Perodin because this is a particularly remote place.
Special greetings to Fr Joe, Deacon Steve, the two Richards and their families, and Mike & family, as well as the pastoral committee etc...
Sincerely in Christ,
P Nicolas Laneau
Adm. of Perodin parish
.

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Update 01/27/2010  8:43 p.m.
Emails from Haiti

From Father Dachemy in Haiti:
PAROISSE SAINT ANTOINE ERMITE DE CHENOT, CAHOS, HAIT, (W.I.)

Cher SEAN, BONJOUR !
Comment allez-vous ainsi que ta famille, Fr.Marty, et tous les paroissiens à St. Isaac Jogues des USA. Mille mercis pour tous les messages envoyés par père Laneau, depuis la paroisse de Pérodin. Je suis content pour cette solidarité que vous montrez envers nous ici à Chénot. Je recois les messages et aujourd'hui, ce matin, je suis arrivé à pérodin pour la réponse. J'ai marché 2hres 30mns de Chénot à pérodin. Le cellulaire ne fonctionne pas toujours normalement. Seul l'Internet peut aider avec la communication aujourd'hui. Ce n'est pas ma faute. Mercis d'avoir de la patience avec nous ici.

IL EST IMPORTANT POUR MOI DE VOUS DIRE QUE A CHENOT AVEC LE EARTHQUAKE, NOUS AVONS BEAUCOUP PLUS DE PROBLEMS. Le Seism a provoqué beaucoup de dégats à Port-au-prince mais aussi ici à Chénot. Beaucoup de famille ont des enfants et des parents victimes à Port-au-prince. Le Rectory (le presbytère), La maison des soeurs( recemment réparée), la chapelle de Bélair, la chapelle de Hilaire, la chapelle de la Croix et 150 maisons environs de nos paysans sont écrasées à cause de ce grand catastrophe. Notre désolation, la faim, la misère sont beaucoup réelle en Haiti, à Port-au-prince et chez nous, chez vous à Chénot. Maintenant, avec toute l'équipe du presbytère, j'habite dans une petite maison, un dépôt dans la cour. Les soeurs, nos religieuses habitent d'un côté dans leur cuisine et de l'autre dans une salle de classe. Chaque jour, les gens viennent chez moi à la recherche de nourriture, de l'aide pour vivre. Il faut voir pour croire mieux, davantage. Tande ak wè se de (2). Ciliane vous dira aussi comment sont les choses ici à Chénot. Nous avons beaucoup beaucoup beaucoup de problèmes. Mille mercis de continuer à penser à nous ici. Nous avons besoins davantage de votre solidarité, votre prière. Nous comptons sur vous, sur votre amour pour nous. A Chénot, ici, nous vous aimons beaucoup.

Nous prions pour vous aussi. Mèsi anpil pou renmen w, pou lapriyè ou. Se pou Bondye beni nou tout.

Votre frère,
Père DACHEMY

English Translation: 
Dear Sean,

Hello. How are you, your family, Father Marty and the parishioners of St. Isaac Jogues?

A thousand thank you for the emails sent via Pere Laneau from Perodin. I am so happy for the solidarity shown our parishes. I am receiving your messages and this morning I walked 2hrs.30min. from Chenot to Perodin so I could respond to your emails. Our cell phones are still not working regularly. Only the internet can be useful for communications. It's not my fault, thank you for your patience with us.

It is important that I tell you that with the earthquake, Chenot has a lot of problems. The seism certainly caused a lot of destruction in PAP but also in Chenot and the chaos. Many families have children and family in PAP. The rectory, the sister's home (recently repaired), our chapels in Belair, Hilaire and LaCroix and approximately 150 homes have been destroyed. Desolation, hunger and misery are real in Haiti. Now along with everyone else I live in the courtyard in a makeshift home. The sisters are living in their kitchen and one of the classroom. Everyday, people come to see me asking for food, any kind of help possible to continue to live. Ciliane can also tell you how things are in Chenot. We have many, many, many problems. A thousand thank you for your continued thoughts. More than ever we need your support, your prayers. We count on your love for us. Chenot loves you very much. We continue to pray for you also.

Thank you for remembering us, your prayers, May God bless us all.

Translated from Creole- Sean Hackett is the chairperson for the Haiti committee at St. Isaac Jogues another sister parish in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Their sister parish is located near ours. Father Dachemy picked up the OLPH members, who when to Haiti, at the airport a few years back.  Cahos  is where our sister parish is located.

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Update 01/25/2010  2:44 p.m.

Message From Dr. Mortel:
I left for St Marc Saturday afternoon and returned to Port au Prince early this morning (Monday, Jan. 25). Although the road is cracked in two places about five miles from the capital, it remains good and it still took me less than two hours to get to St. Marc. St. Marc is not damaged at all but every family in every home has seen an increase in the household by as many as eight people. It appears that the same phenomenon occurs in most cities such as Verrettes, Liancourt, Gonaives and Petite Riviere. In St Marc patients are still waiting for surgery and those who had surgery are in need of post op medications. Supplies are lacking in St Marc. We are addressing this problem. Parishes in the Cahos mountains of the Diocese of Gonaives appear to be severely affected by the earthquake but I am still looking for more precise information about that.

The government is busing everyone out of Port au Prince who wants to leave and a lot of them do. There are two points for departure, one for the north and one for the south. All these large buses are loaded and make many trips a day. With the arrival of a large surgical team, my assignment has changed for this week. I am heading a badly needed outpatient clinic for all employees of Catholic Relief Services. I set it up and began this morning. They are severely affected materially, medically, and psychologically and what else.
More details tomorrow. A bientot.

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Update 01/24/2010  12:20 a.m.

Message From Dr. Mortel:
Yesterday, I worked in the hospital St. Francois de Sales which is a Catholic hospital in Port au Prince. Although severely damaged by the earthquake, it is the only hospital with a functional operating room. Three buildings of the hospital collapsed and buried an estimated 100 children and adults. CRS with a surgical group from Belgium managed to open 2 more operating rooms. All patients are housed in the courtyard. Debris is yet to be removed and the stench is of high intensity. No radiology or laboratory services but we do have antibiotics, analgesics and other medical supplies to function. I head a team composed of an intern, a second year medical student and 3 nurses and we care for patients with whatever condition. It is a bit chaotic but the team members are very cooperative. The Belgian group will leave on Monday and I understand that a trauma team from the University of Maryland will be coming. Any physician of other specialty who wants to come may want to contact the Maryland group. I have seen first hand the leveled city and the people in the streets and in camps. It is heartbreaking. That's all for now. It is time to go to the hospital. Continue to pray for the Haitian people. A bientot.

Message From Dr. Mortel:
Good evening. Just returned from a busy and long day at the hospital. Increasing number of complex cases are being referred to our hospital. Between the operating room and the clinic we set up 2 large tents in the courtyard for post operative cases. I have even done some orthopedic cases today because everyone was so busy. Lab and radiology are now working. Practicing in a war zone cannot be much different. In the large square (champ de mars) hundreds of people are camping and doing everything they have to do right there. it is really sad to see their living conditions. What if it rains? Hopefully the overall plan includes the relocation of the poor people before the rainy season. According to a map from the UN mission, 15 neighborhoods within Port au Prince are severely affected and severely affected they really are. Am leaving tomorrow saturday to go to St Marc but will come back to Port au Prince on Monday. Hopefully I will have more to tell you about the effects of this tragedy on other areas of the country. Bon weekend and God bless.


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Update 01/22/2010  11:45 a.m.

Good morning

Yesterday 1/20 there were traffic jams all over the city, a sign that there is fuel. All schools in the country are closed with no official word as to for how long. Around noon yesterday there were two strong tremors and another one this morning. The emotional and psychological impact of the tremors and the previous earthquakes is evident on both affected and unaffected individuals. All those I have met are very fearful. They sleep outside even though their homes are still standing.

I am leaving now for the hospital. No phone communication today. Will write again soon. God bless you all.

R. Mortel


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Update 01/20/2010  9:20 a.m.
Emails from Haiti

From St Elisabeth in Perodin, a mountain parish, Father Laneau writes:
Bonsoir Suzanne,
Comme je vous l'avais deja dit;des que PAP a eu des problemes c'est tout le Pays qui subit les consequences.L'evenement du 12 Janvier dernier est un Phenomene National,car c'est presque tout le Pays qui s'etablit a PAP.Trois(3) de nos Chapelles sont detruites Marouge,Fond-Bleu et Hosse.A l'exception des quatre (4 ) salles de classe fraichement construite.Les autres anciennes salles ont eue des fissures,pour moi mon souci c'est la reconstruction de ces Chapelles chose qui ne sera pas trop facile.Je planifie une reunion avec tous les comites des Chapelles et celui de la Paroisse pour le (26 ) Janvier prochain,apres cette date je pourrai vous dire exactement de quelle maniere vous pourrez nous aider..En ce qui concerne le fonctionnement de l'ecole je ne sais pas encore On doit attendre la fin de cette semaine pour savoir plus

English Translation:
As I have said before, when PAP is in trouble, the whole country has to deal with the consequences. The event of January 12 is truly a National phenomenon as most of the country is established in PAP. Three of our chapels - Marouge, Fond Bleu and Hosse have been destroyed. With the exception of the 4 new classrooms recently built, the other older classrooms suffered damages.  My main concern is the reconstruction of the chapels, task that will be difficult.  I am planning a reunion with all the chapel committes and also of the parish here - it is scheduled for January 26th. After this date I will be more able to give you concrete information as to the type of help that will be needed. As far as the continuity of the school year I don`t know yet, we must wait till the weekend to know more.

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Update 01/20/2010  7:39 a.m.

Email to Agnes Supernavage
After a 2 hour ride, the aircraft full of supplies and packed with volunteers from 5 different groups landed safely in Port au prince. Never before I have seen so many jumbo jets including C5 military planes with hundreds of peoples on the airfield. Planes were taking of and landing at an abnormally short intervals thanks to a temporary tower brought by the military. As it was dark when we left the airport I saw some of the destructive effects of the quake. I heard planes actions all night from where we are. This morning a 6.1 quake moves the city back and forth I was already on the street and safe. This morning we leave for work at one of the hospitals. Pray for us. Will update you again soon.

- R Mortel

Rod Mortel flew to Haiti on Tuesday, January 19, along with a cargo plane of supplies provided by Catholic Relief Services.

The early morning commercial flight from Baltimore is scheduled to stop in Miami where the CRS contingent was to board a cargo plane loaded with needed supplies to help with the relief and rescue mission. Dr. Mortel said that he will help with medical and surgical needs. "I am going to go and help in the area where there is the most need," he said. Dr. Mortel also will assess the situation in the outlying cities and attempt to make contact with key people on the ground whom will be able to assist with logistics.

"CRS has good structure on the ground already," Dr. Mortel said, noting that migration away for Port-Au-Prince was causing new problems. "The CRS officials will direct me to the area that I will be most useful." Because the news has been focusing on reporting on the victims in Port-au-Prince, their medical needs and the search for survivors, there has been little attention paid to the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who, now that they are homeless, are moving to outlying towns/cities such as St. Marc, and other towns north of Port-Au-Prince.

In the near future, food shortage in these cities will occur as well as shortages of lodging. Dr. Mortel has learned that the population of these cities (and likely many others) have doubled or tripled with the incoming refugees. Consequently there has quickly developed a severe food shortage in these cities. Dr. Mortel said that they believe that within a week or two at the most St. Marc will be without food.

Dr. Mortel said that he is scheduled to return to the United States on January 29 but he promised, "I will not come back without going to St. Marc and to assess the status of the refugees there." While Haiti has many needs, the best way to help is to make a financial contribution. Food, water and fuel are needed but prices are rising as commodities become scarce. Dr. Mortel said, "At this time, the primary need is money, nothing else."

To make a donation, click here.

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Update 01/19/2010  4:18 p.m.

Suzanne Cooley's nephew will be heading into Haiti today and we hope to begin to receive information from him as well.  This morning Susanne and her cousin drove to Sanford, FL where many C17s are arriving with evacuees coming from Haiti, American citizens or Haitians with families here in the United States.  They were looking for French speaking people to help coordinate with DCF in Florida. The Residence Inn in Orlando is putting up the refugees until they can be put on buses or planes to their final destination, if their family is not awaiting them when they arrive.

There were 5 children who came off one of those plane wearing towels, army jackets, awaiting completion of adoption papers. They are being placed with foster families in the meantime; would have loved to take them home with me, but they were already placed. Their eyes were so sad; they looked at you but, it was like they were looking beyond. I`m sure they have seen things they will never be able to explain. They came from an orphanage in PAP and will ultimately go to families in Missouri. They were given clothing and toys. They did not know what to do with the little teddy bears they received. One child started screaming when they handed it to him. I also heard there are 15 orphans that were taken to Pittsburgh through a group that was volunteering in PAP at the time of the earthquake. I am glad I am able to offer some help if only with translation. I wish I could do more. -- Susanne Cooley

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Update 01/17/2010  3:52 p.m.

From St Elisabeth in Perodin, a mountain parish, Father Laneau writes:
Bonsoir Suzanne,
Je suis tres content de votre solidarite vis a vis de Perodin et d'Haiti en general surtout dans cette situation en ces derniers jours.HAITI a grandement besoin de la SOLIDARITE et de la PRIERE.A Saint Marc comme aux Gonaives la situation n'est pas trop grave;mais il y a quand meme de la douleur parce que dans toutes les familles haitiennes,dans tous les coins et les recoins du Pays les Jeunes se sont obliges de se rendre a Port-Au-Prince pour apprendre un metier ou une profession.Car tout est concentre a Port-Au-Prince,c'est pour cette raison que le Pays en entier pleure...

English Translation:
Fr. Laneau wishes to say thank you to the people of OLPH for their solidarity toward Perodin and Haiti during this terrible situation. Haiti truly needs solidarity and prayers. In St. Marc and the Gonaives, the situation is not as grave, but regardless, there is great sadness throughout Haiti and in every Haitian family. Young people from everywhere in Haiti find themselves in Port-au-Prince to learn a trade, a profession, find work, and now many have perished. Everything is concentrated in Port-au-Prince and for this reason the entire country is in turmoil and suffering. Continue your prayers as we will continue to pray for you in thanksgiving.

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Update 01/15/2010  10:22 p.m.

Suzanne Cooley has been in touch with Fr. Laneau through the email only. Everyone in the village seems to be accounted for, those without home are now staying with others whose home were not destroyed. The word is that some of the family members living and working in PAP are making their way to their villages. Everyone awaits anxiously.

Father has asked Susanne to keep him informed on what we see and hear about PAP since they still have no radio at this time. He has contacted his nephew again but conversation was interrupted.

He wishes to say thank you to the people of OLPH for their thoughts and prayers and wants us to be assured of theirs. May we find courage and strength to continue to reach out to our brothers and sisters in Haiti.

Also, there is more information from Dr. Mortel about what is happening in Port au Prince at http://www.mortelfoundation.org/haiti-earthquake1-10_page1.shtml.  

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Update 01/14/2010  04:14 p.m.

Archbishop O'Brien's letter to all pastors in response to many requests that have been received concerning where and how to assist the people of Haiti is below.

Haiti Collection Letter

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Update 01/14/2010  10:40 a.m.
Emails from Haiti

From St Claire in Dessalines, Sister Christine writes:
Chère Agnès,
Merci pour ton mot de réconfort. Oui la situation est grave en Haiti. Ici à Dessalines, nous avons ressenti les secousses mais il n'y a pas de dégâts matériels. Cependant les gens de Dessalines ont beaucoup de famille et surtout des enfants qui étudient à Port-au-Prince. Ils sont très inquiets car il semble qu'il y en a plusieurs qui sont décédés. Comme il n'y a pas de communications téléphoniques, nous attendons le retour des autobus afin de connaître les vraies nouvelles. Il y a vraiment une panique dans notre bourg. Heureusement que l'Internet fonctionne car seule la radio nous donne des nouvelles au compte-gouttes. Je crois que vous en savez plus long que nous.

Merci pour vos prières! Sincèrement, S. Christine

English Translation:
Dear Agnes, Thank you for your words of comfort. Yes, the situation is very serious in Haiti. Here in Dessalines, we felt the temblor but there is no structural damage. However, the people of Dessalines have a lot of family and especially their sons and daughters who study in Port au Prince. They are extremely worried because it seems that several perished. Since there is no phone communication, we are waiting for the buses to come back to know the real news. There is a real panic in our town. Thankfully the Internet works because only the radio gives us some news little by little. I think that you know more than we do.
Thank you for your prayers! Sincerely, Sister Christine

From St Elisabeth in Perodin, a mountain parish, Father Laneau writes:
Chere Agnes,merci de nous avoir fait signe.Pour le moment la situation d'Haiti est vraiment grave.Ici a Perodin dans les Cahos la situation est grave mais pas au meme niveau qu'a Port-au-Prince .Le clocher de l'eglise Paroissial est tombe.Trois(3)de nos cinq(5)Chapelles sont detruites;il s'agissait de Marouge,Fond-Bleu et Hosse.PLus de Soixante Dix (70) maisons sont detruites.
Encore une fois merci pour votre soutien et vos prieres...

English Translation:
Dear Agnes, Thank you for touching base with us. Right now the situation of Haiti is extremely grave. Here in Perodin in the Cahos (mountains) the situation is very serious but not at the same level as Port au Prince. The steeple of our main church collapsed, 3 of our 5 chapels (mission churches) are destroyed: Marouge, Fond Bleu and Hosse. In addition, more than 70 houses have collapsed.
Once more, thank you for your support and your prayers...

From OL of Mt Carmel in Liancourt, Fr Alexis writes:
Chere Agnes,
Merci d'avoir partage la tritesse d'Haiti. De Notre cote a Liancourt nous ne sommes pas touche directement. Cependant, beaucoup de paroissiens (nes) sont en tristesse parce que bon nombre de liancourtois vivant a Por-Au-Prince sont morts. Donc la paroisse est en deui.
Nous comptons sur tes ferventes prieres.
Bien a toi
Pere alexis Robinson

English Translation:
Dear Agnes, Thank you for sharing the sorrow of Haiti. Regarding Liancourt, we were not directly hit. However, many parishioners are suffering because many people from Liancourt living in Port au Prince perished. Therefore the whole parish is mourning.
We count on your fervent prayers.
Best to you, Father Alexis Robinson

From OL of Nativity in Verrettes, Fr Murat writes:
Cher Agnes,
comme vous la savez,,, Haiti est en deuil et chacun de nous ici est fortement touche par la disparition ou la
mort de nos proche...
Pas de grand probleme au centre des Verrettes mais dans les montagnes, il y a des pertes materielles...
merci d'avoir pense a nous!
p murat

English Translation:
Dear Agnes, As you know Haiti is in mourning and everyone of us is deeply affected by the unaccounted for or the death of our loved ones...
No major destruction in the center of Verrettes parish but in the mountains there is some damage...
Thank you for thinking of us! Fr Murat

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Update 01/14/2010  09:45 a.m.

Susanne Cooley has tried to contact Fr. Laneau via phone without any success; however, an email did get to him and he has responded.  The news is not as  positive as we would have liked but they all in all they have survived without any casualties at this time.

Fr. Laneau reported that they felt the earthquake quite strongly. "The earth started shaking and everyone tried to take cover, not really knowing what was happening." The steeple of the church was destroyed, over 70 houses were also destroyed, and he has received reports that 3 of the chapels have also been destroyed -Marouge, Fond BLeu, and Hosse. He has also spoken to the pastor of a neighboring parish, Cheneaux, who has a sister parish in Baltimore; they also suffered much damage. Fr. Laneau did receive word from his family finally; his nephew and nieces living in Port-au-Prince are alive and well, his family in Gonaives is also doing well.

They continue to await news from many family members of his parishioners who have children, family, and friends living in Port-au-Prince.

Fr. Laneau wishes to say thank you to the people of OLPH for their continued support and prayers. He asked that we continue to pray for Haiti and may we continue in union in God's love.

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Update 01/13/2010 
    
Many people have asked about ways to help and to contribute. OLPH will take up a collection this Sunday. 
  
Ste. Elizabeth d'Hongorie in Perodin, our sister parish, is still unreachable at this time. At this point our major concern is that Perodin is in the mountains, which could mean mud slides. We are hopeful that the village was far enough from the epicenter of the quake that mud slides will not be a factor but of course that is just speculation. What will be a factor is that the village will be even more cut off from food, supplies, etc. The people that live in the mountains have faced this in the past. Let us hope that the "best case scenario" come true.
  
There has been contact made with St. Marc and they survived the earthquake quite well.  St. Claire in Dessalines, which is north east of St. Marc did not sustain any visible structural damage.  According to Agnes Supernavage, from the Archdiocese of Baltimore "Communication is impossible. The only link to the outside world is through satellite Internet. Even the radio stations do not have much news. Communities that have been spared the worst are now trying to find out about relatives in Port au Prince, especially parents worrying about their sons and daughters who are studying in Port au Prince."  Deacon Mortel did talk to his sister who lives in St. Marc and they felt the tremors; so far, the Good Samaritain School is still standing and the children are being kept inside and are safe.   
   
The Archbishop of Porte au Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot, was confirmed dead. Please pray for the repose of his soul and God's mercy for him and all the others who suffer.  We expect more sad news like this to come from Porte au Prince. Please keep all the people of Haiti in your prayers along with the aid workers that are now flowing in. 
   
As information comes in we will post. 
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