A section of the porch of the Generalate of the
Little Sisters of St. Therese

Traffic in Port-au-Prince

St. Frances de Sales School in Riviere Frodie
has and enrollment of 800 students.
Half attend morning session from 7:30 a.m .
- 12:30 p.m.; the other half from 12:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Students assemble for prayer and the
national anthem

Haitian solution for carrying books

Happy to be in school

Two congregations of religious sisters, separated by geography but united in spirit, have joined hands to bring hope to a people in desperate need.

The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (I.H.M.) in this country are helping the Little Sisters of St. Therese in Haiti to minister to the poorest of the poor.

The effort was born seven years ago when the three I.H.M. communities - Scranton, Monroe, Philadelphia - were celebrating their 150th anniversary and exploring ways to add a service component to the observance.

Since the co-foundress of the congregation, Theresa Maxis, was a native of Haiti, it was decided to focus on the needs of that poverty stricken country. The Tri-I.H.M. Outreach Project was developed with the Little Sisters of St. Therese.

Over the past seven years, the project has raised more than $100,000 to support the Little Sisters in their work to run 37 elementary schools, provide meals for the students, and operate medical clinics.

The I.H.M. sisters, their associates and members of the community have contributed most of the money. This year, for example, the students at Bishop Hannan and Seton Catholic high schools donated significant amounts.

Dollars are not the only means of support, according to Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Eileen Coleman, director of volunteers for the Scranton community and coordinator of the outreach project.

"Finances are one thing, presence is another," she said. "In order to appreciate what these people are going through, you have to spend time with them and experience it personally. Then you can identify with, respect and support the work they do with the poorest of the poor."

Sister Eileen, who recently returned from her third visit to Haiti, said that for those who have never been there, it is difficult to comprehend the deprivation.

Most of the land is not arable, so the people must rely on outside sources for food. The Little Sisters provide a simple meal of beans and rice to their students; usually it's their only meal of the day. When the students return after a holiday break, their weight loss is evident.

Medical care is lacking, so the sisters try to fill the void by teaching about nutrition, pre- and post-natal care, hygiene and basic healthy practices.

"We know the money we send is being used for the people," Sister Eileen said.

Sister Bernadette Nicolas was superior general of the Little Sisters of St. Therese for 12 years. In the midst of a visit to Scranton, she confirmed the impact of the I.H.M. communities on her collegues' ministry.

"When I think about our relationship, I feel spiritualized," she told The Catholic Light. "Their prescence in our life is a miracle for us. They bring us hope."

Hope is sorely needed in a country that Sister Bernadette noted, is wracked by poverty and an unstable political situation.

"The I.H.M. sisters are a sign of the presence of God helping us in our mission," she said. "We thank God, and we thank them for being aware of His call."

Written by: William R. Genello for The Catholic Light, Scranton, PA, June 27, 2002, and reprinted with permission.

How to help the Haiti Project:
ihmnew.marywood.edu/Haiti/HaitiHelp.htm

For information contact: Sr. Eileen Coleman, IHM 570-344-3623 (H) 570-357-3907 (W) ecoleman4@aol.com