St. John Neumann
Catholic Church

The following e-mails are from Jack Marder, head of the SJN Outreach Ministry, and his sister Jane Rogers. Members of SJN's Outreach Ministry including Father Young had just returned from a mission in Kingston for Missionaries of the Poor (MOP). Photos from that mission as well as the aftermath of Hurricane Dean are in the SJN Photo gallery . Brother Max estimates he and the other brothers can build a new house for $200 in materials. They have a goal to build 400 houses!

From: Jack Marder     
Date: Aug 20, 2007

 Hi Friends  -   here is an update on the aftermath of Hurricane Dean and the devastation it left in its wake in Kingston.  The poor served by MOP have been suffering considerable loss.  There is still no power, or water in the MOP homes (can you imagine what it must be like for the brothers to clean up some of their residents with no water !!!).  And they are desperate for food.   They really need your prayers and financial support more than ever.  Please read the attached e-mail, and the message below for more details.  The fastest way to help right now is by making a credit card donation via the MOP website:   www.missionariesofthepoor.org

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From: Jane Rodgers     
Date: August 20, 2007
Subject: "Couarge & Generosity" in the aftermath of Hurrican Dean

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 . 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.
 
Through Him, Jane

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From: Jane Rogers
Date: August 20, 2007
Subject: The day went well in Jamaica.

The Lord's Blessings to each of you!

I heard from Fred again saying they've worked all day in the streets.  Thousands of people are being fed because the brothers have been cooking all day.  They set up tables throughout the ghetto feeding people and handing out bags of food and water.

Father and the Brothers, who weren't at the tables with the food, were going from house to house to see if anyone was hurt or if they needed anything.  Fred said there was a very small building which housed seven families was just gone.  He could still see the cut out in the ground where the house once stood.

Father is very concerned about people not having shelter.

Today Bro Max estimated what it would cost to build a small house using cement, plywood and galvanized zinc roofing and he came up with about $200.  There are probably about 1000 families who need this kind of help (just around Kingston) but the Brothers have a goal to reach about 400.  They have already pinpointed the 400 families..

Here is beautiful  MOP story I was told:  The storm hit with its fury about 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon and about 3 Father was informed that Bethlehem house (where the babies  and orphans are) was flooding. He promised the three Brothers he would send help.  Yet because of the storm, no one from the monastery could get out and the phones were dead so they couldn't communicate this to them.  Fred said when they arrived at Bethlehem house laat almost noon, he was told these 3 Brothers had mopped all night long trying to keep the water from getting to the children.  They had not stopped to eat and had not slept.  Earlier this morning someone had brought the Brothers soup but almost at the same time a family showed up asking for food and the Brothers gave the family the soup.  Yet not one Brother complained.  I pray to the Lord that one day I could be just like these Brothers....completely selfless.

For those who have helped already, Father and the Brothers THANK YOU and I know the Lord will bless you for doing His mighty work.  If you can think of others you haven't asked to help, please do.  The need is great....pass the word!  We're still working on trying to get pictures but until email is up again they have no way of sending them.

Please continue to keep each Brother and volunteer in your prayers, as well as all the homeless in Jamaica.

Through Him, Jane

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From: Jane Rodgers     
Date: August 23, 2007 1:16 pm

Blessings all,
 
Here are some more pictures from MOP Kingston (other than what's on the website). Father said to tell everyone they are fine but very busy with much to do.  They still no electricity. Some parts of the city do have it but others don't. And to thank you all for prayers and concern.  It might be a long time before they are back to normal.
 
God bless you and continue to pass the word!
Through Him, Jane

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