XAVERIAN BROTHERS HAITI MINISTRY
Sant Zaveryen Newsletter Xaverian Brothers Generalate • 4409 Frederick Avenue Baltimore MD 21229
APRIL 2015
DAY OF REFLECTION FOR SANT ZAVERYEN
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significant part of the mission of the Sant–in addition to providing a place for students to live–is to provide programs for the ongoing formation of the young people in the program.
Sr. Eugenie also touched on the way in which we will have to hold onto our faith, found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 (“For everything there is a season…”), in which she made reference to the creation of the universe as coming to its conclusion in 40 days, so as to correspond with the time frame of Lent.
This year, on the first Sunday of Lent we held a day of reflection. This took place in the chapel of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation and was directed by Sister Eugenie NBENGA (a Sénégalese missionary in Haiti), a member of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Castro. She used as her theme: “to live and to help others live in the joy of the Gospel.”
Brother Joseph Ngoie and Sant students, Noel Josler and Narcisse Shelove Waypack, listen to Sr. Eugenie’s reflections.
According to Pope Francis’ Lenten message, we will have to live this time of Lent with all the graces needed (2 Corinthians 6:2) for engaging in this interior struggle. She concluded by giving us three paths we can take to live the time of Lent: Sr. Eugenie leads the retreat at the chapel of the Dominican Sisters of the Presentation.
She began with the washing of the feet found in John 13:1-15; a gesture which the church has always commemorated on Holy Thursday. She did this with the group from the Sant and also one of their own young women candidates who participated in the day of reflection with us. This gesture, Sr. Eugenie reminded us, signifies that we are all called to render service to one another. This action also gave us the opportunity to share with one another on our strong points and our weak points.
1. Solidarity with those who are suffering 2. Being a light to others right where we are living 3. Being involved personally in doing the necessary work in changing our hearts, that is, in the interior formation of our lives (Cf. Matthew 5 :4-12 ; Jeremiah 18 :1-6) Days like this one with Sr. Eugenie are what make the Sant program what it is. And, we would not be able to provide these types of programs without your continued support. - Brother Joseph Ngoie, C.F.X. more on the back...
APRIL 2015
Sant Zaveryen Newsletter
THANKS TO YOU ALL! Johnny Josaphat, the last young man we admitted into the Sant program before the earthquake struck five years ago, completed his studies and received a degree in business administration in the Dominican Republic. On completing his studies, he wrote to Brother Mike McCarthy to express his thanks:
Dear Brother Mike, I cannot explain to you how delighted I am to write to you today. First of all, I have to thank God, and secondly, I must thank you for helping me to study here in the Dominican Republic.Today, I am another man that I did not think that I could be. After passing 4 years of study in Dominican Republic, it is time to begin by thanking you and all those who helped so much for all that you’ve done for me. I am just beginning with my project. I hope to finish it by the end of May and get my license to go back to Haiti to begin working. Thank you so much for this dream you have for Haiti. Thanks to all Xaverian Brothers and supporters of Sant Zaveryen. Thanks to you all!! Johnny
Johnny Josaphat in a recent photo after completing his degree in business administration. He has now begun his project to receive his license and will return to Haiti from the Dominican Republic in the next few months.
Brother Mike McCarthy and Johnny when Brother Mike visited Johnny in the Dominican Republic, back in 2012.
Thank you so much for how you help to extend the mission of the Xaverian Brothers and provide for the future of Haiti. You can also visit us online at xaverianbrothers.org