Summer Adult Formation ~ Haiti ~ by Mildred Green

The first session started in the Church Hall, Monday evening at 6 p.m. with 13 of us. We had a very nice light meal. The theme for the week was "Living Faith: Global and Local Actions."

The session began at 6:30. The presenter was our own Patrice Schwermer from the Office of Justice and Peace. We were shown slides by Patrice, "Welcome to Haiti," which was narrated by her. The slides consisted of prints from Haiti, the land, the mountains, the people and how they live.



In the rural area, the school, if you can call it a school, was a lot of tree branches made to look like a room. I just could not believe this; it took me back. The kids at this school have nothing, nothing! We learned that only 5 to 10% of the children in Haiti get an education. Another slide shown was about a group of women coming together and working for a better life, trying to start a business.

Our opening prayer reading for the evening was Luke:6, 20-26. Our Question and Reflection about the presentation was, how does it relate to the scripture? We talked about that with our group. Also, how does the principle of solidarity relate to what we have heard about Haiti? What are some ways we can respond to what we have learned this evening? How are we called to transformation? As an individual? As a parish community? What will be the next steps?

We had some great ideas. Maybe you have some ideas too. This will be brought to the Parish Community. What gifts do you have to offer the people of Haiti and what gifts do the people of Haiti have to offer us?

What an excellent presentation! Well done, Patrice! We ended the session with a prayer and look forward for tomorrow, Tuesday, June 19th. Hope you can make it. You're in for a treat!

~ Photo by Patrice Schwermer ~