By Mark Zimmermann
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON (CNS) – Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory celebrated an Aug. 27 Mass urging prayers and support for the people of Haiti in the wake of an earthquake and tropical storm that recently devastated that island nation.
The Mass was held at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington, one of three churches in the Washington Archdiocese that hosts Masses for the local Haitian Catholic community.
"The deep faith of the Haitian people has been tested repeatedly over these past several weeks," the cardinal said. He also pointed out that "painful and frequent struggles, unfortunately, are no strangers to the people of Haiti," but that "as in the past, your faith has been the very anchor of your survival."
The cantors, choir and congregation said prayers and sang hymns in Creole and French. The congregation of about 300 people were of all ages and ethnic backgrounds.
In remarks after Communion, Father Luc Philogene – the chaplain of the Haitian Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Washington who is a priest from the Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital – thanked the cardinal for his pastoral concern for the people of Haiti.
The priest, who serves about 350-400 families from Haiti now living in the Washington area, also thanked people for their prayers and support, saying that ongoing help is vital.
"Haiti is hurting, and so are we. Haiti needs all of us. Haiti needs prayers. Haiti needs actions also," he said.
In an email interview before the Mass, he said: "There are no words to express the pain these people are currently experiencing."
In the email, he told the Catholic Standard, archdiocesan newspaper of Washington, that many lost everything to the earthquake and had to sleep under the stars with practically no beds, many with broken bones, wounds, ailments of all kinds.
"Then comes tropical storm Grace, which gives no grace to these people. The strong winds of the storm coupled with the heavy rainfall gave rise to floods and mudslides. The victims who had no time to breathe from the earthquake the day before have no food, water, tents, blankets, or flashlights."
He also said the that Catholic Church has been particularly hard hit by the recent earthquake.
"We counted many dead of all ages, including two priests, as well as hundreds of injured parishioners. Several churches, rectories, convents, parochial schools sustained significant damages. Most of the churches' structures in these dioceses are totally lost. Also, many houses owned by the faithful incurred structural damages and would either need to be rebuilt or repaired," he said.
Zimmermann is editor of the Catholic Standard, archdiocesan newspaper of Washington.