CABRINI IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE CHILDREN OF ST. JOSEPH FAMILY HOMES
In April 2010, I traveled to all three homes in Haiti to share with the children “Lord Will Provide” t-shirts, Creole Bibles, toys, and candy on behalf of Cabrini parishioners. Cabrini Outreach felt it was important to travel to Haiti to show the staff and children at St. Joe’s that we wanted to share in their loss, pain, and difficulties during this time of rebuilding in the midst of all the rubble.
The definition of solidarity is “coherence and oneness in relations, interests, and nature”. As Christians, we are challenged by Jesus to love one another as we love ourselves. That doesn’t mean to do it when we feel like it, but to do it all the time, even when it isn’t easy.
We sang and danced and share our stories with each other. We hugged and gave thanks to God for sparing each life. The boys were so excited to get their very own Creole Bibles in waterproof covers, personalized with their names on the front. The second, third, and fourth graders of Trinity School received their own personalized bibles as well.
In the evening, the children were all gathered around a small light. One boy was reading, and the others followed along. As bedtime approached, I heard the boys crossing the courtyard, singing words of the new song they learned that afternoon, “Give thanks with a grateful heart. Give thanks to the Holy One because He’s given us Jesus Christ His Son.”
I thanked God for being there in spite of many physical difficulties we had to overcome. I thanked God for the SOLIDARITY WITHIN THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE HAD STRENGTHENED. CABRINI HAS SHOWN WE TRULY CARE ABOUT OUR HAITIAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS, AND GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS US BECAUSE WE BLESS HIS POOR. YOU CAN’T OUTGIVE GOD!
Children receive blue thermos bottles from the St. Frances Cabrini – October 2009 Container Project – Photo by Rennee Dietrich
Second grade class of Trinity School in temporary tent classrooms
St. Joseph and Trinity House residents – Bill Nathan with drum
The boys and young men receive their “Lord Will Provide” T-shirts
The boys received their very own Creole Bibles with water proof covers
