Reflections from a Charis Leader's Time in Haiti

The last week has presented us with some pretty bad news in Haiti. And its true, its pretty bad.

However, If I didn't know much about Haiti before the Earthquake and were just now learning about it on the news, I might not have the most positive view of the country and its people. If that's the case, or if you are simply looking for some positive news in the midst of this tragedy I invite you all to look at The Haitian Project. They are chronicling their experience on the website.

I once lived there and taught computer and religion at Louverture Cleary School, a Catholic secondary school for academically gifted but economically impoverished kids from the poorest regions of Port Au Prince. They are given a free education and taught to give back to their communities.

In this crisis, we are starting to see an incredible return on this investment.

• Former students are now doctors treating the injured.
• They are fluent in four languages, making invaluable translators for all of the aid workers.
• They are working with Catholic Relief Services (as they did before the quake) to distribute aid.
• They are working with the Missionaries of Charity, the religious order founded by Mother Theresa (again as they did before the quake) to set up a clinic.
• The investments in Solar power and deep wells allow the project to distribute water to the neighborhood, despite the scarcity and expense of diesel.
  

As you look to where to donate money to help Haiti, there are many good big charities that are helping right now: Red Cross, Catholic Relief Services and others. But for the future of the Country, it needs more students like those from Louverture Cleary School. Students that have a first class education and are dedicated to rebuilding their country. Please consider becoming a long term donor and partner in Haiti's birth.

Donations can be made online at: www.haitianproject.org/donate.htm

or by check, mailed to:

The Haitian Project
PO Box 6891
Providence, RI 02940

-Bill

Everything Belongs

I am currently reading a book by Fr. Richard Rohr, O.F.M. called Everything Belongs. This passage struck me:

"I believe that we have no real access to who we really are except in God. Only when we rest in God can we find the safety, the spaciousness, and the scary freedom to be

who we are,

all that we are,

more than we are,

and less than we are.

Only when we live and see through God can 'everything belong.'"

As I read this, I am reminded of the gospel reading a couple of weeks ago about Jesus' baptism. The passage from Matthew ended with, "And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Fr. Richard Rohr challenges us to put our identity in Christ. He challenges us each to accept that we are God's beloved children.

What does this say to us as individuals? If we accept that all are God's beloved children and everything belongs, how does this call us to live our life? What must we change in order to truly live a life where "everything and everyone belongs"?

~Becky E.

Let this be their Good Friday

A good friend of mine went on a mission trip to Haiti a few years ago and is gradually hearing news from the people and places that she visited. Some of it is good—most of the seminarians they met are alive, even though their seminary was destroyed. Some of it is bad—a group of nuns who ran a school were killed when the building collapsed on them. As we talked more about it, she summed it all up by saying: “I hope that the next generation there tells the stories of the earthquake that was like their Good Friday, which was followed by a lengthy Holy Saturday and the new life of Easter.” I pray that too.

The First Community of Believers

Becky's reflection yesterday got me thinking. The first community of disciples knew so intimately what Christ was calling them to, and that was reflected so deeply in their actions. In Acts, we read, "The group of believers was one in mind and heart. None of them said that any of their belongings were their own, but they all shared with one another everything they had...There was no one in the group who was in need."

Haiti is the poorest and most exploited country in the Western Hemisphere. Per usual, we 'developed' countries often forget the abject poverty of those so geographically removed from us. That is, until, such a disaster hits. Yes, this serves as a wake up call, and, as Becky points out, reminds us of what we are eternally called to, not just in times of catastrophe. We are perpetually called to share everything we have so people everywhere are never in need. The good folks at Catholic Relief Services and Jesuit Refugee Services need our help as they strive to fulfill that which each of us are called to.

-Mary Ellen

Contemplatives in Action

It is on days like today, when our news is full of a natural disaster like the earthquake in Haiti, that I find myself pondering what it truly means to be a contemplative in action. A contemplative in action requires two things: First, we are called to be mindful and aware of God's presence and work in our lives. Second, as we become rooted in God, we are called to ask the question: "How can we respond to God's call?"

As we continue to pray for all the people in Haiti, let us pause for a minute and ask ourselves: "How are we called to respond to this present situation that our brothers and sisters in Haiti are dealing with?"

Becky E.

Give yourself a space to step back

On Thursday, young adults who work in ministry in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet are coming together for a day of prayer, reflection and community building that they don’t have to plan or set-up. Charis is working with the Paul Jarzembowski from the Diocese of Joliet and Keara Coughlin at Old St. Pat’s to provide a space for these ministers to rejuvenate and remind themselves of the blessings that their ministries are to them and to others. Sometimes, one of the hardest things for any of us to do is to take a bit of time away to refocus our energies so that we can return to our daily lives with a renewed sense of purpose. This is as true for people working at churches as it is for people working in corporate boardrooms. Each of us needs to find our own way to step back and spend time focusing on our relationship with God. As these young adults who work in ministry are gathering in prayer, ask yourself what you can do this week to step back and reflect on your priorities and the place God has in your life.

~Lauren G

The Power of Questions

The tumultuous economy is forcing many to make tough decisions and to re-evaluate their priorities as they face unemployment, eviction, and other devastating situations. But are all of us, even if we are not as directly affected, taking the opportunity to ask what these times mean for our values as individuals and society? Brian McLaren reflects about these important questions today on the Sojourners' blog "God's Politics". Brian highlights some of the questions and reflections that Jim Wallis offers in his new book, "Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street—A Moral Compass for the New Economy". Brian's reflections remind us of the often-challenging Gospel ideal that our values must inform each choice we make as individuals and society. You should definitely check it out.

Sojourners is a Christian magazine (online and print) that focuses on the relationships among faith, politics, and culture.

-Mary Ellen M.