Haiti

For information about Port de Paix, visit website: http://www.haitiartisancrafts.com/index.html

Our partnership with the Religious of Jesus and Mary

January14, 2010 

RJM PRESS RELEASE                                           

The Religious of Jesus and Mary, a Roman Catholic Congregation of Sisters, have ministered in Haiti since 1997.  Two of our sisters and two candidates are presently in Port-au-Prince, and are one with our brothers and sisters: homeless and injured.  Our convent in Port-au-Prince has been severely damaged by the earthquake.

Sister Vivian Patenaude, RJM, was injured in a fall and may have sustained multiple fractures to her shoulder and arm.  Since her injury is not life threatening she is unable to receive medical attention in Port-au-Prince.  We are attempting to fly Sister Vivian to New York for treatment.  In spite of these events, we count ourselves very blessed!

The needs of the Haitian people were overwhelming prior to the earthquake.  The scope and depth of this tragedy call for both immediate and sustained, long-term intervention.  Our commitment to serve in Haiti remains strong.  We intend to serve in Haiti for the long haul.

Sr. Eileen C. Reid, RJM Provincial has asked our sisters Srs. Jackie Picard and Pat Dillon who serve in Gros Morne, Haiti and Srs. Rose Kelly and Nazareth Ibarra, who serve in Jean Rabel, Haiti to make themselves available as translators, if and when they can get to PAP, to help in any way possible.

We are committed to sharing ourselves and our goods with our Haitian brothers and sisters for as long as we are able.  To this end, we invite and welcome your prayers and financial support. No donation is too small!

The RJMs are setting up an earthquake relief fund—P A P E R—i.e. Port-au-Prince Earthquake Relief.  Donations can be sent directly to that fund:  

 c/o Sr. Janet Stolba, RJM

 Religious of Jesus and Mary

 125 Michigan Ave. N. E.  4^th floor

 Washington, DC 20017

through our website:  www.rjm-us.org or through other relief organizations such as Catholic Relief Services:  crs.org

For those interested in volunteering, please  e-mail:  Theresa Patterson@aol.com who is trying to organize volunteer groups or Google  PTPA (Parish Twinning of America)

Plans are underway to have a special Mass for the victims of the earthquake.  Details will follow.

Correspondence regarding RJM Earthquake Relief may be sent to Sr. Janet Stolba at: rjmearthquakerelief@yahoo.com.