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A Letter of Appeal Concerning the Haiti Earthquake
(From Father Bill Murphy and the Passionist Community in Baltimore, Maryland)
January 15, 2010
Dear Friend of the Passionists,
In the midst of the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, 2010, I wish to share this example of selfless dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Let me share a message I received the very day of the earthquake from Father Rick Frechette, a Catholic priest and doctor from the United States who is a member of the Passionist Congregation. For the last two decades he has ministered in Haiti among the poorest of the poor, especially children. His is a Catholic and humanitarian story. Father Rick writes:
I have been home with my dying mother, as a son and as a doctor and as a priest. Daily Mass, managing her pain medications - helping in any way I can. I was determined to stay with her to the end, especially since my whole adult life I have been far from home in the foreign missions. I have to tell you, every day at Mass, when I ask mom if she has any special intentions, she says, “For you, for God to keep you strong, and for your mission in Haiti.” Now we have this huge sadness in Haiti. I told her I have to leave for a while. She said to me, “You have to go. The problems there are worse than mine.”
Father Rick immediately flew to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. There he met some Passionist volunteers and together they made their way to Haiti. Father Rick continues:
I know there is extensive damage at our new hospital. I also know there is severe damage at the old hospital in Petionville. Let’s pray everyone is alright. Let’s stay bound together in friendship and prayer. God bless us all - especially the suffering people of Haiti, and my dear mother, Gerri Frechette.
Father Rick’s ministry includes a children’s hospital and several medical clinics in Haiti. He also founded a large orphanage and a number of small schools, bringing basic education to the children in their own areas. This extensive Passionist mission in Haiti brings hope to an extremely poor and neglected region in the poorest country of the Western Hemisphere. Now more than ever, the people of Haiti are looking to the Passionists for hope and encouragement.
Please consider a donation to help Father Rick and the people of Haiti recover from this devastating earthquake. Your gift today can make a significant difference to the people we serve in that country. For all you do for the Passionists and the suffering of our world, I am sincerely and forever grateful. May the Lord’s peace be with you today and always, and may the passion of Jesus Christ be ever in your heart. We ask your prayers for Father Rick and his mother Gerri Frechette.
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There are three ways to donate needed money to Fr. Rick Frechette in Haiti:
(1). Deposit your donation in the collection during Mass or mail it to the parish rectory.
Please indicate that it is to be used for the Haiti relief fund.
(2). Write a check made out to Passionist Missionaries and indicate "Haiti Hospital Relief" in the memo line.
Mail your donation to Passionist Missionaries, ATTN: Fr. Rick/Haiti Fund, 526 Monastery Place, Union City, NJ, 07087 USA.
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