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Recently, Sister Joan Foley, our Sector Coordinator in North America, attended the blessing and launch of the final 36 boats for the tsunami survivors of Kottilppadu, South India, along with Sister Elizabeth Vadakekara, our Sector Coordinator in Asia. "It was a wonderful occasion," says Sister Joan. "The tour of the village and the wreckage caused by the tsunami was overwhelming to me," shares Sister Joan. "To meet, finally, the survivors and those women whose children were swept from their arms was almost too much. They are literally picking up the pieces of their lives and moving on." During the blessing ceremony, Sister Joan spoke about the desire of our donors, who funded the boat project, to bring hope after the tragedy. "You could liken it to giving someone a set of keys to a new car," she recalls. "It was kind of awesome to see the boxed motors coming into the area on the shoulders of the men … a boat and motor go to 2 families; it is a joint ownership, and each partner must respect the other and make all arrangements together." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Indian Sisters Joyce Puthusserril and Rose Cherian Vachaparambil assisted in earthquake relief efforts in Kashmir in October. Working with 40 other religious and volunteers, they distributed supplies to devastated families in St. Joseph's Parish, Baramulla. In Sagna village, they helped to bring the community together to reflect about the future; identify animators for community reconstruction; and organize a children's group. "We feel grateful to God for this unique opportunity to reach out," our Sisters said. "The expressions of people who acknowledged our gestures of love remain vivid in our hearts, and once again remind us that life is a mystery, and is precious." . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sister Mary Zosso spoke at the annual meeting of the Jubilee USA Network Council in Washington, D.C., about the economic, social and health situation in Ghana, where she has served for many years. Ghana, a Highly Indebted Poor Country (HIPC), has completed the necessary requirements and is waiting to receive 100% cancellation of its international debt in 2006. Sisters Janet Gottschalk and Pat Gootee also participated in the annual meeting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medical Mission Sisters in Latin America have developed a website in Spanish: www.misionerasmedicas.org. It will be a helpful resource for those who read Spanish, and for those who serve among Spanish-speaking people. Our Sisters in South India also have 2 new websites in English: www.mmssouthindia.org, and www.ayushyamms.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Medical Mission Sisters wish you a blessed Christmas and happy, healthy New Year. The holiday liturgy schedule at our North American headquarters in Philadelphia includes Mass at 8:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve, and at 10:00 a.m. on Christmas Day and on the Feast of the Holy Family (Friday, December 30th). On New Year's Eve, a Day of Prayer and Recollection, our chapel will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., and communal prayer at 4:30 p.m.
December 15,
2005
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