Pinpoint of Light: Catholics in U.S. Mourn for Haiti

We're still trying to get in contact with people in Haiti and forward whatever information is available.

MIAMI, FL (Catholic Relief Sevices) - Many in the U.S. fear for the lives of loved ones and await news from Haiti following the earthquake.

As reports of the disaster in Haiti pour in, CRS has been hearing from US parishes with connections to Haiti. Read about their fears and prayers below.

Father Jean Jadotte, associate pastor of Notre Dame D'Haiti parish in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood: "When my parishioners heard the news they were heartbroken. Many were in tears at Mass on Wednesday morning. We are in mourning, as many parishioners of our predominantly Haitian church have lost 3 and 4 family members. I lost one family member.

"Our wounds are so fresh from 2008. Just when we thought things were getting better, this happens. There is a lot of panic, pain and suffering. Not being able to get in touch with loved ones makes it worse.

"We are praying for hope despite this situation. Even as we face darkness, we pray that people may see a pinpoint of light."

Francisco Maruri, a volunteer with Daughters of Charity in Miami:"We have six missions in Haiti--the sisters who run the order seem to be okay. One sister was hit by an object during the quake but appears to be okay."

Reverend Deacon Richard Turcotte, the Director of Catholic Charities of Miami:"I was numb when I heard about the earthquake. I sat in front of the TV for four hours gathering information. This morning when I woke up it hit me emotionally. We've been through so many things. We're still trying to get in contact with people in Haiti and forward whatever information is available."

Francine Hintz, Assistant Director of the Diocese of Gary, Indiana:"We work through CRS to support programs in Haiti, including an orphanage in Port-au-Prince. We'd actually visited the hospital that collapsed.

"It made my stomach churn. We all remember the children we saw and [think about] how awful it must be. We haven't heard anything on the status of the orphanage."

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Reprinted by Catholic Online with permission of Catholic Relief Services (www.crs.org)