Here is a recent picture of my dog Frank and me - taken during our family get-together just after Christmas.  It's a real blessing to share life with a canine friend - the unconditional love, the enthusiasm for playing and enjoying creation, and the sheer enjoyment of being with others and a nice pat on the back are all little glimpses into the love of God.  If God is reflected in all the beauty and goodness of creation, then the creatures we share life with can also help us to see that divine presence... but that's just on Padre's thought on the matter! 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ;

In these days following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, news continues to trickle out from our friends in Haiti.  I am grateful to share with you that Eloi, the long-time administrator of the school at St. Marc’s in Jeannette, and his family are OK.  I am not sure what “OK” means in light of living through an earthquake in Haiti, but they are alive and able to get out word that they’re doing alright.  For this we can give thanks.  Since Jeannette is about 75 miles from Port Au Prince, it stands to reason that people fleeing the areas hardest hit by the quake are going to be making their way to safer areas that were not hit.  These people will be in search of food, water and shelter.  We would do well to keep our friends at St. Marc’s in our prayers as they will be called upon to offer care to those fleeing the effects of the earthquake.  It is important to note that, even when things are going well, the people of Jeannette barely have enough food, water,  and adequate shelter.  However, it’s also important that you know that Haitians are amazingly generous and hospitable , especially to those in need. 

Some of you have been asking me about making donations to help with earthquake relief.  Our parish Haiti expert, Mary Alice Eschweiler, has identified two organizations that she is particularly fond of and our bishop has made a request for an organization,  as well. 
Mary Alice requests that funds be sent to: 

Children’s Medical Mission of Haiti
925 Hertzler Road
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

or:

Diocese of Milwaukee Haiti Project
804 East Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202.

Our bishop suggests we support:

Episcopal Relief and Development
P.O. Box 7058
Marrifield, VA 22116-7058.

As we prepare for parish annual meeting this coming Sunday, let us do so remembering our brothers and sisters in Haiti – we are all together members of the Body of Christ and when one part of the body suffers, so also the other parts.  Let us each prayerfully consider how God may be inviting us to reach out beyond ourselves at this time – to those in Haiti and to any and all we may encounter on our life journey.  Our lives, all we have and all we are, are gifts.  In order to enjoy these gifts they must be given and shared freely – the same way God gives them to us!

In coming months mission trips to Haiti will no doubt be organized.  If any of you are feeling called to go, see me or Mary Alice and we can try to steer you in the right direction.

Peace to you.  –Fr. Scott