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A LETTER FROM BROTHER FRANCKLIN
Dear Friends of my country and the world,
I finally have the courage to take a pen to write these few lines. I am
collapsed, overwhelmed, annihilated, wiped out, hurting, that's all I can say. I
thank God for allowing me to live in my flesh and see first hand this incredible
and terrifying phenomenon that is an earthquake of 7.3 on the "Richter" Scale.
To see with my own eyes, the collapse of hundreds of thousands of houses, with
the dead littering the streets of the Capital, people turned upside down
wandering the Capital without knowing where to go.
A friend who is very dear, after the earthquake walked at least 7 kilometers to
come tell me: “ Francklin, I have no house.” Then he said “Goodbye. That is all
I have to tell you.” And, he left immediately to go back. This friend, in normal
times would not act like that. It's a sign that his mind is totally disturbed.
The number of people who are losing their minds are numerous. Friends from all
over call me and say: I have no more house, my children are dead. I lost two,
three, four children, my husband, my wife ... Another friend called me and said:
My cousin, her husband and their children are buried under the rubble of their
homes.
Am I in the dream?
Have I become suddenly alien? Is this really what I see with my eyes and what
people are telling me?
The main infrastructure of our Catholic Church in Port au Prince and some
Province cities were completely razed with the dead unnameable and innumerable.
The Cathedral of Port au Prince, sign of Church pride, is totally in ruins, our
Metropolitan Archbishop and many members of our church: Our Archbishop, Bishop,
priests, religious women and men, laypersons, teachers, pupils, employees,
coworkers are snuffed out, not to mention the abysmal property damage.
At Petite Place Cazeau, we saw the deluge of neighbors turned upside down,
running everywhere, dead and more dead. I cannot forget the image of a young
person dying in my presence in the yard of his family under a tree, a young
doctor gave him a transfusion. The Little Committee that we have gathered and
ourselves, unable to breathe because of the pestilential odor of corpses, have
taken the decision to bury the many dead in our Francoise and Rene de la Serre
school, in a hole dug for the storage of garbage. The trauma was such that
parents did not come, each one came and threw the remains that was theirs and
left to not assist in this tragic scene: The burial of a relative on this
occasion is inhuman and bestial. Suffering can be read on the silent faces of
people who no longer have the courage to smile within a country where a smile is
part of Haitian courtesy.
But, in face all this, My God, what do you want, what do you want to say to us?
I know even in my guts that you are the God who loves us, creates us, saves us,
forms us, sends us.
I know that the Church is yours, you love with an unconditional love, free and
without prejudice. You have no pretense and scheming in You. You are the God of
goodness and mercy. Your justice and mercy is fitting for all humans. You are a
Mystery. Your Grace is also a mystery. But is not evil also a Mystery?
I will never understand you, nor your Grace, also. I am not trying to understand
this mortal evil that fell upon us so suddenly, killing us, humiliating us,
putting us on our knees, but we know that evil is not the last word: Love
believes all things, understands all things, accepts all things ... Jesus, Your
Son, told us: Have courage, I have overcome the world.
My God, thank you for what you are, what you do. We love you as you love us. Our
lives and our spirits are in your hands.
Francklin
PS- At this moment, we are organizing the evacuation of Port au Prince persons
to take them to the Provinces. In this regard, we are in direct touch with the
French Embassy which is helping us to concretely actualize this.
At Petite Place Caseau, 700 persons are gathered and we foresee with a caterer
to feet 2000 persons.
In the Central Plateau: Pandiassou, Thomonde, Papaye: gather 3000 persons.
Committees are forming to prepare to welcome these persons.
In another step, young students and others are going to be mobilized to organize
and work on producing future food sources.
A PRAYER AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI
Lord, at times such as this,
when we realize that the ground beneath our feet
is not as solid as we had imagined,
we plead for your mercy.
As the things we have built crumble about us,
we know too well how small we truly are
on this ever-changing, ever-moving,
fragile planet we call home.
Yet you have promised never to forget us.
Do not forget us now.
Today, so many people are afraid.
They wait in fear of the next tremor.
They hear the cries of the injured amid the rubble.
They roam the streets in shock at what they see.
And they fill the dusty air with wails of grief
and the names of missing dead.
Comfort them, Lord, in this disaster.
Be their rock when the earth refuses to stand still,
and shelter them under your wings when homes no longer exist.
Embrace in your arms those who died so suddenly this day.
Console the hearts of those who mourn,
and ease the pain of bodies on the brink of death.
Pierce, too, our hearts with compassion,
we who watch from afar,
as the poorest on this side of the earth
find only misery upon misery.
Move us to act swiftly this day,
to give generously every day,
to work for justice always,
and to pray unceasingly for those without hope.
And once the shaking has ceased,
the images of destruction have stopped filling the news,
and our thoughts return to life’s daily rumblings,
let us not forget that we are all your children
and they, our brothers and sisters.
We are all the work of your hands.
For though the mountains leave their place
and the hills be tossed to the ground,
your love shall never leave us,
and your promise of peace will never be shaken.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
now and forever. Amen.
HAITI QUAKE - BROTHER FRANCKLIN
Attached to today’s bulletin is a letter received from our dear friend, Brother
Francklin Armand. It arrived the middle of this past week. Please, please, read
this letter. It is heart-breaking just to read the words of a broken man. The
conditions in Port-au-Prince following the major earthquake seemed to Brother to
be unreal, as if he were experiencing a dream. He turns to God with questions
but in his deep faith professes that God cannot cease loving us and caring for
us. He is a God of goodness and mercy. He states that God is a mystery and so is
evil. He lives with mental and spiritual anxiety over the loss of numerous
church leaders, teachers, pupils, men and women religious whose lives were
snuffed out.
Yes, we still witness on TV pickup trucks being used as ambulances and doors as
stretchers. It is difficult to view the frantic struggle to save lives. It seems
so inhuman the manner in which the burial of bodies takes place - loaded on
trucks, then deposited in a trash dump. No one will ever know the exact number
of the dead.
The best efforts to feed millions of people remains inadequate. Emergency
medical relief is not available to the thousands who are crying out for
attention. Law enforcement is stretched thin. Necessary heavy duty equipment
seems non-existent. Civil disorder and looting will be on the increase in future
weeks and months. And then another 5.9 earthquake this past Wednesday. When will
it end???
Holy Name Parishioners are committed to financial assistance. The pastor has
established a substantial goal to be reached by the end of this month. Donations
to Kindred Journey Fund Inc. (Haiti Mission) go directly from our Ebensburg
account to Brother Francklin. There is no financial overhead to this 501C3
non-profit organization. The total amount of your gift is shared with the people
under Br. Francklin’s care. He is relocating 3,000 Port-au-Prince residents to
our Twin Parish in Pandiassou, a 70 mile distance from the Capital. Lodging,
food and clothing must ultimately be provided. Be as generous as your means
permit, recalling that what you do for the least, you do for Christ Himself.
Return your contribution in the enclosed envelope found in today’s bulletin as
soon as possible; you may make your check payable to Kindred Journey Fund or
Haiti Mission. You have my profound prayers and gratitude!!
KINDRED JOURNEY ON FACEBOOK
As a result of the Haiti earthquake, plans to create a Facebook presence for
Kindred Journey were accelerated, and less than 24 hours after the event, the
Kindred Journey Haiti Charity page was published. For now, the page primarily
contains photos from the January, 2009 visit by Msgr. Gaus and crew. Updates are
also being posted with news as it comes in from Brother Francklin and our other
contacts in Haiti. Please take a moment to locate the page (from within Facebook,
do a search for Kindred Journey Haiti Charity) and sign up to be a “fan”. Of
course, please feel free to share the page with your other Facebook friends.
CONCERT FOR HAITI 2010
As I’m sure you are aware, there was a devastating earthquake Tuesday of last
week on the island of Haiti. The immediate needs for funds to assist in this
relief effort is urgent to say the least. With that in mind, the St. Francis
University Fine Arts Department is sponsoring a benefit concert called “Concert
for Haiti 2010" on Monday evening, January 25th at the JFK Auditorium at 8:00PM.
Jim Donovan’s band, Drum the Ecstatic International as well as the SFU World
Drumming Ensemble will be performing in an effort to raise funds to help our
brothers and sisters in Haiti.
LIFELINES
“The Church must speak out in today’s context on fundamental rights, the right
to justice, the right to peace, but above all and in the first place, the right
to life. If the Church did not speak, did not proclaim the truth, it would be
abandoning its duty; it would be unfaithful to society, to the good of society.
Therefore, its precise duty is the very liberty to intervene with word, and also
with example - the example of promoting human life, of intervening for the
salvation of mankind.”
- Bishop Elio Sgreccia, Vice-President of the Pontifical Academy for Life,
Vatican City
YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING, PLEASE
We’ve mentioned in times past the difficulty in scheduling every request for a
Mass intention on the day specified. Realize that, with a parish of 1500
families and the possibility of arranging annually 730 Masses with only two
assigned priests to Holy Name, many intentions can only be satisfied through the
support of the Franciscan Fathers of Loretto. Those priests offer a daily Mass
at their own convenient time. Therefore we will never be able to confirm the
time or place where your intention will be satisfied in Loretto. Also, please be
considerate of the number of Masses requested at Holy Name. We will continue to
serve the greatest number of our families who insist upon having their Mass
request satisfied at Holy Name.
FESTIVAL NOODLE MAKING DATES
Volunteers in great number are needed for noodle making for this Wednesday
January 27th. Early bird helpers welcome after 7:00 AM. No experience is needed.
Come for all or part of the day. Free lunch. Noodles bagged at 8:30 AM on
Fridays. Additional noodle dates: February 10, March 3, March 24, April 7 &
April 28 at 8:30AM in the church hall.
ADULT CONFIRMATION
Any adult not yet confirmed who wishes to receive this Sacrament in May should
call Sr. Margie immediately for information concerning adult preparation
(472-8315). Confirmation is necessary for a Catholic to be a baptismal
god-parent or confirmation sponsor.
INFANT BAPTISM PREPARATION
Parents expecting their first child should contact Sr. Margie before the baby is
born to arrange for a home visit and receive information in preparation for the
Sacrament of Baptism. Baptisms will not be scheduled until this process and all
forms are complete. Call 472-8315.
PARISH LENTEN MEAGER MEAL
In keeping with the spirit of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, a Parish Family
Meager Meal is scheduled for Sunday, March 7, at 5:PM in the Church Hall. This
simple meal of prayer and fellowship, soup and bread is a reminder of our
solidarity with the poor, especially the poor in Haiti. There is no charge, but
a free will offering is invited for Haiti relief. Please call Sr. Margie so we
know how many people to expect. Families, friends and neighbors welcome!
CATHOLIC UPDATE: LENT, DAY BY DAY
Located on Magazine Racks. This daily reflection is short and to the point,
offering a simple word-a-day to help focus our spiritual lives on what is truly
necessary. If we are serious about the Lenten journey, this Catholic Update is a
great tool for helping us walk the road from Ashes to Easter. The author, Alice
Camille, asks the question: “If you knew this would be your last Lent, how would
you make it your best?” As we say from the start: Remember that you are
dust....” Let’s give God our best this Lent, and God will give us His best at
Easter!
JR./SR. HIGH CCD NEWS
Classes resume this weekend 1-24 for 7th, 8th & 11th grade CCD. 9th & 10th grade
CCD students have off due to having their Confirmation Session on Saturday,
1-23.
APEX NEWS
PING PONG TOURNAMENT will be held on Sunday, January 31st in the APEX Room from
7-9PM. Come and see if you can be the next APEX champion!
STEWARDSHIP OF TALENT - GRANT ME A MINUTE
If God had a human voice, God probably would say “Grant me a minute, please!
With the light which I shall give you, make an honest examination of your daily
schedule. Do you have talents unused or wasted on petty goals? By eliminating
some nonessentials, could you not give more time and energy to really meaningful
enterprises? Are you sure that you are fulfilling, reasonably well, your part in
my plan?”
FAMILY NIGHT AT SAINT FRANCIS UNIVERSITY MEN'S BASKETBALL GAME
Bring the entire family to Loretto for Holy Name Parish "Family Night" to cheer
on an exciting college basketball game! The SFU Red Flash will play Long Island
University in a Northeast Conference game on Saturday, Jan. 30, at 7 PM at the
Maurice Stokes Athletics Center. All ages are welcome! Tickets are FREE!
Children ages 4 and under do not require a ticket. For tickets, please send in a
note marked “Family Night Tickets” to your child’s CCD teacher or Holy Name home
room teacher. Please include how many tickets your family needs, along with your
child’s name. Tickets will be sent home with your child. For parishioners who
want tickets, please contact Pam Ley, 472.6753. Parishioners may pick up tickets
after Mass on Jan. 23 and Jan 24. Sponsored by our parish Youth Activities
Committee.
MOTHER AND SON NIGHT OUT
Moms and sons are invited to share in a special night of fun together. Plan on
spending February 13, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, with your sons at the YPCC. The
evening will consist of games, relays, music, pizza, soda, and snacks. The cost
is $8.00 for moms, all sons are free. A special keepsake photo will be taken.
Chances on baskets will also be sold. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME. Additional
information will be sent home this week through HNS and Religious Ed. This event
is sponsored by the Youth Activities Committee. Questions call Pam Ley 472-6753
or Sarah Zearing 472-5631.
APEX FUNDRAISER
Apex Youth Group are selling Marianna’s Hoagies & Pizzas. Delivery date will be
Wed. Feb.3, 2010. Orders can be picked up at the church hall between 8:00AM and
9:00AM or delivered to your home; please have a cooler outside your door. call
Nancy McCulley 241-7809 by January 25th to order. The participants thank you for
your support!
DISCOVER TRUE FINANCIAL FREEDOM
Holy Name Church (in conjunction with the Family Life Office) will be sponsoring
a 6 week course on the 7 Steps to Becoming Financially Free. It is a small group
study that will offer you all the nuts and bolts to make the most of God’s
generous gifts. You’ll find all the necessary tools to implement sound
principles of financial management, budgeting, and investing in your life.
Written by author, financier and lifelong Catholic Phil Lenahan, it weaves
personal anecdotes with sound Catholic teaching and extensive financial
counseling experience to help you gain clarity on some of the biggest issues you
face today. Most importantly, he shows you why your financial plan is part of a
much larger spiritual plan that God has in mind for you.
Pre-registration is required and due no later than February 10th. Cost includes
book and workbook: $35 per individual or $50 per couple (couples will share a
book). Checks can be made payable to Holy Name Church. All sessions will be on
Thursdays as follows: February 25th (orientation); March 18th, 25th; April 8th,
15th, 22nd and 29th. If questions, contact Colleen Spicher at 472-8007
FEBRUARY - CATHOLIC PRESS MONTH - $10.00 CONTRIBUTION
A catholic newspaper can be the most effective form of diocesan-wide
evangelization available. There we expect to find comments on Scripture,
articles by bishops giving the official teaching of the Church, stories of papal
trips bringing attention to social justice issues throughout the world, etc.,
etc., etc. Holy Name parishioners are requested to read the Catholic Register
and prayerfully find articles there which expose them to clear, concise
application of Christ's teaching and which might also dispel some of the
confusion among Catholics rather than sustain it. Please use the envelope found
in the February packet to make your $10.00 contribution in support of publishing
Catholic teachings and news for this area of the church.
BISHOP CARROLL OPEN HOUSE/FINANCIAL AID INFO NIGHT
Bishop Carroll Catholic High School will hold an Open House and Financial Aid
Info Night on Thursday, January 28th from 6:00-8:00PM. The event is open to
anyone interested in learning more about an affordable, high-quality Catholic
education, and a drawing will be held for two $250 tuition scholarships to BCCHS.
For more information, visit www.bishopcarroll.com.
HOLY NAME HOME/SCHOOL BREAKFAST
The next breakfast will be held on Sunday, January 31st from 8:00AM - Noon in
the church hall. Ages 15 and older $6.00, ages 5-14 $4.00 and ages 4 and under
free. Buffet includes eggs, pancakes, bacon, sausage, potatoes, toast, muffins,
homemade sticky buns, fresh fruit, juice, coffee and hot tea. Take outs
available. Everyone welcome! Hope to see you there!
SNOWBALL 2010
Tickets are on sale now at the school office for the Home School Association’s
Snowball 2010 to be held Saturday, February 6th. Tickets are $30/person and
include a fabulous night out with dinner, drinks, dancing and desserts. The
night will also offer basket raffles, 50/50, drawing for Bedford Springs package
(see below), and a chance to mingle and socialize with so many supporters of
Holy Name School. This truly puts the word FUN in fund raiser! Reserved tables
are still available for groups of 6 or 12 guests. Tickets are also available in
open seating. Get yours this week!
BEDFORD SPRINGS TICKET - HOME/SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
The $10 chance to win an overnight stay for two at the beautiful Bedford Springs
Resort will be available for purchase at the Scrip table in the Narthex the
weekends of January 24th and 31st.
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Haiti Donations: The Aluminum Can Recycling Project raised
$57.45 for Haiti last week. The donations collected at the children’s liturgy
last Friday totaled $965.00.
Spelling Bee: On Saturday, January 30, Dan D’Agostini and Ashley Wilt will
represent Holy Name at the Saint Francis University Regional Spelling Bee in
Loretto. The competition begins at 1:00 pm.
Scrip: Scrip will be available in the Narthex on Sundays from 8:30-11:30 am and
at the school and rectory offices during regular office hours.
Basketball: Sun. 1-24 2:00 PM (Boys) HN8 vs. NCC7; Sat. 1-30 11:00 AM (Girls)
HN7 vs. All Saints, 1:00 PM (Boys) HN8 vs. NCC8, 2:00 PM (Girls) HN8 vw. NCC.
Holy Name School 2010
Catholic Schools/Dividends for Life
Catholic schools provide long-term benefits to our nation’s youth: a
high-quality, faith-based education that will continue to pay dividends for
years to come. Beginning January 31, 2010 special events will be occurring at
Holy Name School to celebrate Catholic Education and kick off the 100th
Anniversary of Holy Name School. Parents, alumni and friends are invited to
attend upcoming events which include:
January 31, 2010 Dividends for Life: In Our Parish
• Opening Mass; 10:00 am; Children’s choir, grade school and high school
musicians, Vox Nova from Mount Aloysius College, and a harpist from Saint
Francis University
• Home School Breakfast Buffet available in the church hall from 8:00 – noon.
• Student work displayed in the church hall; Scholastic Book Fair
• Varsity basketball games, Grades 7 and 8 at Bishop Carroll from 2:00-5:00 pm
February 1, 2010 Dividends for Life: In Our Families
• Parent/Teacher Conferences
February 2, 2010 Dividends for Life: In Our Community
• Students in Grades K-1-2 invite guests to lunch (lunch must be preordered)
• Open House – parents and guests invited to visit classrooms 8:40 am-2:45 pm
• Scholastic Book Fair – church hall
• Family Literacy Night - PreK – third grade; 6:00 pm in church hall
February 3, 2010 Dividends for Life: In Our Nation
• Students in Grades 3-8 invite guests to lunch (lunch must be preordered)
• Open House – parents and guests invited to visit classrooms 8:40 am-2:45 pm
• Scholastic Book Fair – church hall
February 4, 2010 Dividends for Life: In Our Faculty and Students
• Student and Teacher Appreciation Day
• Jean Day/ Movie and Snack/No Homework for students
• Teacher luncheon
February 5, 2010 Dividends for Life: In Our Vocations
• First Friday Mass; 9:00 am
• Karaoke at lunchtime
Throughout the week we focus on the gift that Catholic education provides to
young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our
nation. We honor and thank those who contribute to the success of Catholic
schools – students, families, parents, priests, faculty, staff, parishioners,
volunteers, community supporters, benefactors and local, state and national
leaders.
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Holy Name School
Preschool, Kindergarten & New Student Registration
2010-2011 School Year
Registration-February 3, 2010
2:00-4:30 Preschool Activities Room
KINDERGARTEN:
Children must be five (5) on or before August 31, 2010
KINDERGARTEN HELD DAILY 8:25 AM – 3:05 PM
BUS TRANSPORTATION PROVIDED
THREE-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOL:
Children must be three (3) on or before August 31, 2010 and potty trained
Two Sessions held on Tuesday and Thursday
8:45-11:15 AM or 12:00-2:30 PM
FOUR-YEAR-OLD PRESCHOOL:
Children must be four (4) on or before August 31, 2010
Two Sessions held on Monday and Wednesday and an a optional session Friday
8:45-11:15 AM or 12:00-2:30 PM
Documents required for registration: Birth Certificate, Proof of Immunizations,
Social Security Card, Baptismal Certificate and Extensive health forms that need
to be filled out and can be picked up in the Narthex or the school office.
Bring the completed forms to registration to save time.
Preschool Only: First month’s payment required as deposit to secure September
placement
Open House for Parents interested in Kindergarten - 8th Grade
Holy Name School has a long tradition of academic excellence, high standards,
expectations and accountability centered in Jesus Christ, our school adds the
dimension of faith and promotes individual responsibility, hard work, honesty,
and discipline in a caring environment. We would like to invite those parents
who are interested in Holy Name Kindergarten-8th Grade to attend an Open House
on February 2 or 3 from 8:40-2:45- Please report to the school office for a
visitor’s pass. |
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