28444: Marek - Subject: BISHOP COTE VISITS HAITI

[corbetre@webster.edu]

From: Matthew Marek <matt@haitianministries.org>

Dimly lit hallways brightened by huge smiles. Bustling outdoor markets a
rush with venders stacked on top one another in a whirl of poverty. Walks
through steep awkward corridors in shanty neighborhoods. And young voices in
song welcoming him everywhere he went. These are just some of the many
powerful scenes that had to impress upon Bishop Cote during his first visit
to Haiti just this past May.

Bishop Cote of the Diocese of Norwich Connecticut traveled to Haiti to see
for himself what's Haiti all about and what is Haitian Ministries' role
there. Along his journey he met many Haitians and individuals who over the
numerous years have fostered the relationships and work between our
communities. On the evening of his arrival over forty project directors,
priests, partners, staff members and friends welcomed him at a gathering at
the Norwich Mission House. The presence of so many Haitians, some traveling
from hours away at night, alone showed the amount of gratitude they have for
Haitian Ministries under the leadership of Bishop Cote.

Upon arriving at the Port-au-Prince airport Bishop Cote, Fr. Kevin and
Haitian Ministries Board Member, Peter Loden received a diplomatic welcome
from a delegation headed by Bishop Lafontant of Port-au-Prince who has
visited the Diocese of Norwich on numerous occasions. Later that day Bishop
Cote met with Bishop Serge Miot at the Chancellery where they strengthened
their mutual commitment to helping each other's congregation grow
spiritually.

The next day, Haitian Flag Day, the delegation departed the Norwich Mission
House early to visit Fr. Emmanuel in Ganthier at St. Pierre, which is
twinned with St. Matthew'of Tolland. On the road to and from Ganthier, about
an hours ride east of Port-au-Prince, they experienced Haitian culture in
full swing as rag-tag bands of marchers, amateur musicians and uniformed
students proudly choreographed their might in honor of flag day. Afterwards
the group returned to the capital to tour the City of God orphanage, which
is currently under its final phase of construction partially funded by the
generous donations of Haitian Ministries and Cross International donors. At
the orphanage Pierre St. Vistal, director of the orphanage, and the 75 girls
who live there eagerly waited for the opportunity to greet the Bishop and
visitors with a song. Moving from City of God the group next visited Mme
Samson and her son Wilkens Gilbert who run the Haitian Ministries sponsored
feeding program Aksyon pou Timoun (Action for Children). Mme Samson a pillar
of our work in Haiti had the pleasure of sitting and talking with Bishop
Cote on her front porch which is not easily found through the tight
corridors in one of Haiti's many crowded neighborhoods. There the group
shared cold drinks as Bishop Cote heard the long history of Mme Samson's
dedication to the undernourished children and her righteous stance against
corruption in a neighborhood nutrition program that was charging money to
feed those in need. Afterwards the group visited Arc-en-Ceil, an orphanage
for children with HIV/AIDS run by Danielle and Robert Penette and twinned
with St. John's in Uncasville. There the children presented Bishop Cote with
a colorful metal cross filled with smiling faces and a Booklet of Testimony
which is a recent publication of emotional text and illustrations done by
the children of Arc-en-Ceil about living with HIV/AIDS. As is common the
children sang their hearts out in receiving and sending off the Bishop and
delegation. Later that day Bishop Cote moved to Hospice St. Joseph to meet
with staff and board members. The next morning he celebrated liturgy at
Hospice St. Joseph in a crowded little chapel filled with the sounds of
Haitian drumming. Earlier that day he toured the Hospice, which on a daily
basis sees an endless number of patients from all around Haiti in need of
medical attention. Before heading to the airport that afternoon the
delegation made one last stop at Foyer des Filles de Dieu (The Center for
Girls of God), the orphanage run by Paula Thybulle. Paula's warm welcome and
impressive story of how she came about serving these girls over the years
greeted Bishop Cote and the group before they went on to tour the Hospital
and orphanage. The 68 girls that reside at the orphanage again in Haitian
tradition entertained their guests with beautiful songs including a French
version of This is the Day the Lord has Made.

Soon after as Bishop Cote made his way to the airport he must have been as
many are the first time they visit Haiti, overwhelmed by the immense wealth
of joy in the hearts of the Haitian people but grieved by the conditions in
which they live. But in that feeling is an understanding that our work and
presence here is meaningful and must continue to grow.