• Recent News Releases
• Printer Friendly

Marquette's Response to Haiti

To the Marquette Community:

As we begin the second semester, images and stories of the devastation in Haiti continue to astound us and call us to respond with compassion. Let us come together as one campus community to pray for our sisters and brothers in Haiti, those killed in the earthquake, those survivors struggling in its aftermath, and the first responders who are providing medical and humanitarian assistance.

As people of faith, we want to help, to act. The question, of course, is how. How can we most appropriately respond to this tragedy? First and foremost, our prayers are needed. And, though our best inclinations call us to personally practice the corporal works of mercy — to care for the sick and injured, provide food and drink, shelter the homeless and bury the dead — the agencies dealing with the situation advise that what is most urgently needed is money. The university has identified two agencies that we are confident are reaching and will continue to address the needs in Haiti:

Catholic Relief Services
Donate online or mail to:
228 W. Lexington St.
Baltimore, MD 21201-3413

Jesuit Refugee Service/USA
Donate online or mail to:
1016 16th Street NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036

Watch for announcements in News Briefs and around campus for more information about additional events and activities.

In the weeks ahead, we will continue to look for opportunities to help. If any of you have specific ideas, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (8-1881) or e-mail.

Asking together for God’s blessings on the suffering people of Haiti,

Stephanie Russell
Vice President for Mission and Ministry
8-1881

 

A Prayer for the People of Haiti
Out of the depths we cry to You, O God. We cry to You for our Haitian sisters and brothers. We thank You for upholding them in their suffering. Give them continuing strength and comfort. Give us love and courage to stand with them and work with them as they struggle for justice and freedom.

Keep us committed to the truth and empower us with Your Spirit of love:
A love that always sees possibilities for peace founded on justice;
A love that seeks justice without vengeance and retaliation;
A love that reaches out to enemies, as Jesus taught us.
We trust in Your continuing mercy as we bring to You our own desire to be in active solidarity with our Haitian brothers and sisters.

O Holy Spirit descend on us: we have a mission for Haiti.

Amen.

Available as a prayer Card from Pax Christi USA: (814) 453-4955 www.paxchristiusa.org

 

A Litany for the People of Haiti

By Pete Mahoney, CFX
The response is: THANKS BE TO GOD!

To recognize the Spirit that dwells in Haiti, let us respond...Thanks be to God!
For hope in the midst of despair, let us respond...
For the hospitality of our Haitians hosts, let us respond...
For Celebrations that give hope, let us respond...
For the Dream of an Independent and Respected country, let us respond...
For the help and concern of its Northern neighbor, let us respond...
For the realization that we need Haiti, let us respond...
For our eyes to be open to a mutual relationship, let us respond...
For our ears to be open to the Cry of Justice, let us respond...
For our mouths to speak the true story of Haiti, let us respond…

 

Prayer for Haiti
God of all creation, as we weep with our family in Haiti, console us.

In this time of crisis, open our eyes to look beyond the disaster to see Christ in our brothers and sisters in Haiti, as Christ sees us.

Be with all creation; strengthen us in solidarity with those living and working in Haiti. All creation returns to you in mourning and your grace guides our efforts to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, comfort the grieving and stand for justice.

With your mercy, sustain us at this time as we continue to work for peace and justice.

Amen.

 

This crucifix was created by residents of Cite Soleil, a district in Port-au-Prince, and is located in room 138 of the Wehr Physics building. Several individuals contributed to its carving. Many other Marquette buildings feature crucifixes created by Cite Soleil residents.