Haiti and Holy Cross

For over the past three weeks we have seen the images of suffering and heard the news of the devastation following the earthquake in Haiti—the loss of life, the pain and suffering of the injured, the survivors seeking food and shelter, the sorrow of the grieving. We have prayed for the dead, for those who survived beneath the rubble waiting for rescue, for those displaced from their homes, and for the children who survived the earthquake, many now orphaned, who are particularly vulnerable in a time of disaster.

We have also seen and heard of the remarkable human spirit of the Haitian people, rising above the devastation and grief—a spirit of hope. We wonder how it is that many who have suffered have not given up hope or faith. We see how children will still smile and play together, even in the midst of so much sadness and pain and hunger.

Our Holy Cross community has been affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Holy Cross women and men religious have been serving the people of Haiti in parishes and schools since 1944. Our community has been touched by grief and loss. One of our seminarians died. Schools and residences of the Holy Cross have been ruined or damaged. One of our priests, Fr. Tom Streit, who lived in Port-au-Prince and oversaw promising research shared with colleagues for the cure of a deadly strain of malaria in that country, escaped near death as the building he was working in at the time of the earthquake collapsed. Closer to home here, Molly Hightower, a recent University of Portland graduate, died when the orphanage where she worked collapsed.

Many have offered to help, here and across the world, giving money, resources, and time to assist the people of Haiti. Sadly, relief efforts and rebuilding will take many months, perhaps years. But the work of rebuilding will be done, the hope that much better will soon be seen on the horizon. The people of Haiti know the cross all too well, yet know the hope of resurrection, of new life.

I am drawn to the image the of the fishing net in today's gospel as I search for meaning in the sorrow and human misery that has befallen the people of Haiti. The image of a net being cast out is much like the news of this tragedy spreading across the world. Our hearts are being pulled to the shores of Haiti. Many pray. Many have gone to the country to help, to comfort. We hear the cry of the poor, the hungry, the grieving.

We in turn cast out our nets of compassion and concern, to gather the needs of the people of Haiti in prayer, to pull into our awareness their suffering and pain, to draw in closer to their struggle for survival and not let go of the net. We are moved to act.

Through the Sundays of Lent, we will have a second collection to help the people of Haiti, our donations going to the Holy Cross sisters, brothers, and priests working in Haiti. I ask for your support of our men and women living and working there, trying to assist those who are now homeless, trying to rebuild. Their need for support and aid will continue for the months ahead. Our offerings through Lent will be a reminder of the pain and sorrow of the Cross as it is carried by the people of Haiti in this time of their need, and of their hope for a better future as they begin to rebuild their lives.

As we have followed the news following the earthquake in Haiti, we have seen Jesus in the face of the orphaned children, the homeless, the hungry, and the injured, as well as the many who have gone to Haiti to help. Like Simon and his fishing companions in today's gospel, we have heard the call of Jesus to follow him, continuing his mission of service. Like nets being cast out, we reach out to those who are suffering and in need.