God is Good
by Sister Eileen Coleman, IHM
I have been reluctant to write an article about Haiti and the Little Sisters in recent months because we have almost been desensitized by the myriad portraits of pain and suffering throughout our very wounded world. Should I add another description and reminder of the constant fear of violence, kidnappings, poverty, injustice, corruption, political divisions, pollution of our planet, all of which exist in abundance in Haiti, to our already heavy hearts? But a reflection I read recently in Give Us This Day reminded me to look through a different lens, at a different portrait of Haiti and her people, one that I had personally experienced and that continues to inspire, the essence of what is the SOUL of the Haitian people.
In the reflection, Carolyn Woo, the former CEO of Catholic Relief Services, recalls her visit to Haiti the first year in her new position. It was right after the devastating earthquake and she described the numerous and almost insurmountable obstacles they faced because of the lack of or inadequacy of the infrastructure in such a poor country and the endless challenges they encountered. But in the midst of all the suffering and desperation she recalls reading “a message scrawled on the wooden frame of a family’s new home: God is good.” And she reflected: “It was clear that God was in that humble home, bringing unspeakable joy. God answered a prayer and enlisted us to fulfill it.”
A recently deceased couple, who were loyal friends and faithful benefactors of the Little Sisters, left a very substantial monetary gift in their will for their congregation. When I notified Sister Denise of their gift, her immediate response was: “God is so good!” and then exclaimed with so much joy and excitement how it was an answer to prayer and began to enumerate just some of their many needs that they could now address, including adding rooms to their infirmary for their elderly and very ill sisters. I thought immediately of Carolyn Woo’s words as I associated them with the Little Sisters. It was clear that God was, is in that humble community of women bringing unspeakable joy. And perhaps even more for each of us to reflect on—“God answered a prayer and enlisted US to fulfill it.”
Donations for the life and mission of the Little Sisters of St. Therese in Haiti can be sent to the IHM Development Office, 2300 Adams Ave, Scranton, PA 18509. Note for "Haiti."
above photo shows (left to right): Sister Eileen Coleman and Sister Denise Désil
