Peace of the Lord!
I just heard from Fred Mangano (NC volunteer) who waited out the Hurricane with the Brothers in Kingston…sleeping on mats in Sacred Heart. He said he glimpsed the Lord’s awesome might from about 2pm to midnight.
The Brothers are all fine. Faith center lost it’s gate, the retreat house made it thru with minor damage, the big tree by the bird houses just outside of the guest house is no longer a big tree. All of which is minor compared to what’s in the streets. Carnage is everywhere. Gunshots are already being heard because of looting.
After mass this morning, Father, the Brothers, & the volunteers, had a meeting to begin to prepare for this uncertain day. Fred said, Father’s homily this morning (if you haven’t already, please read the Gospel Matt 19:16-22) was only about giving….and giving all. They needed “courage and generosity to face the next weeks”. The brothers were to open their “storehouses” and give everything to the poor. They were their first priority. Save nothing for themselves because he knew the Lord would provide for them…they would make do.
Of course, the needs are great. First priority is an urgent request for food. The Brothers will open a food line but they will be out of food in 2 or 3 days. They have collected some water but not near enough to give to all the folks who have none. At this meeting, it was decided to ask people who can provide funds to please do so immediately via credit card on the MOP website
http://www.missionariesofthepoor.org/you%20can%20help.htm. That’s the quickest way to get funds into their hands for them to purchase food and water. Also they will need lots of plywood, nails, roofing material but the immediate need is food and water. They don’t know when the power or water will come back….it could be a week.
I get tears in my eyes when I think of what the Brothers are doing to provide just a little 
comfort to these people. They can’t help all of Jamaica but they can and will help many. Beside the food line, they know their mission homes will be bursting with people who need shelter, food or water. As soon as we can get photos from them, I’ll pass it on.
Servant Leaders please pass on this request to all you know. Please also pray for the strength and courage of each Brother & volunteer working from dawn into the night. Please pray for their protection.
As I hear reports, I promise to pass them on to keep you informed.
Author: From the Internet
