Haiti Relief Effort

FR. ROMANE ST. VIL, M.M. will be Maryknoll's point man in Haiti to oversee distribution of donations from a special Maryknoll account still being set up. Romane is expected to leave for his homeland, perhaps in the next week, as part of a second or third wave of responders coming in from around the world.

Romane has heard from only a few relatives so far, with mixed news. His half brother and two children have died; his late mother's house and his sister living in it are OK. Many others remain to be accounted for.

Romane leaves today for Norwalk, Connecticut, where the large Haitian community is mobilizing to send aid, as well as medical personnel.

Fr. Ed Dougherty is meeting with folks in the Price Building even as I post this. Once he returns, I hope to get details of how Maryknollers and supporters might help Romane and Haitians directly. Check later today for updates!

In the mean time, if you are in the States, you can donate $10 to the Red Cross simply by texting the word 'Haiti' to 90999 on your mobile phone. Your contribution will appear on your phone bill.

You may also go online to access Catholic Relief Services where they have set up a special Haiti relief window on the upper right corner of their homepage. www.crs.org

In the mean time, pray for those still trapped in the rubble, that they find deliverance; pray for the injured, that they find healing; pray for those who mourn, hunger or thirst, that they find consolation and help; and pray that we who live elsewhere may open our hearts and realize we are all brothers and sisters on this one precious and fragile planet.