December 10, 2007
One of the observations that volunteers frequently make is that the Haitian people seem so happy despite having little material assets. Most don’t have the simple comforts of running water and electricity, yet there is always a ready smile.
As we enter the Advent season, and begin our preparation for Christmas, we are encouraged to focus on the material aspect of Christmas. Advertisements urge us to purchase the latest gadgets to make our lives more comfortable. We begin compiling lists for Christmas cards and gifts that need to be sent. It is a struggle to keep Christ in Christmas.
At Mass this morning I looked around church and saw people who obviously have many material comforts but not many smiles. I began to think about sitting in the church in Milot and looking around at all the people, crowded on the benches and overflowing out the doors, smiling and excited. There was a joy that was palpable. Here, people with nothing were happy to be alive and together to celebrate mass and the coming of Christ.
We are closing 2007 at Hôpital Sacré Coeur having treated over 55,000 people and having saved thousands of lives. Our cost to provide this life saving service to the poor and sick through 21 Haitian physicians and approximately 200 employees was over 1.6 million dollars. Our estimated cost to continue to provide the people of Northern Haiti with the basic health care that we all take for granted will be over 2 million dollars in 2008. It is your generous donations that make all of this possible!
Maybe during this Advent we should make an effort to learn from the Haitian poor that true joy is not found in material things. It is found through faith in God and appreciation of His many blessings including our health and family.
As you prepare for Christmas, please consider making a donation to save a life rather than buying the extra presents. Possibly you could make it a family effort and decrease the material gift giving and donate the money to give the gift of life.
Thank you again for all you have done and continue to do for the poor and needy in Haiti. May God Bless you and your loved ones this Christmas.
Peter J. Kelly, M.D.
President
