Tag Archives: medical

Update from St. Benedict’s Clinic in Tegucigalpa, Honduras

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Medicines from Europe being delivered to the clinic

We have just received this update from the Dr. Casey, the Medical Director of our clinic in Honduras.

“Things have been rather hectic in Honduras with an outbreak of dengue fever. Because of the grant we are able to manage well the needs of the people that we serve as well as some others who are coming to us because they know we have medicines and the other clinics don’t.”

The medicines were purchased from a grant of $15,000  that was obtained from the Catholic Human Services Foundation located in New Jersey.

St. Benedict’s Clinic in Tegucigalpa serves more than 45,000 women, men and children a year bringing the most modern and efficient medical treatment to poor families in the nation’s capital, a sprawling city of millions.

Please consider a donation to help the Passionists in their ministry to people living in poverty: Please make checks payable to PASSIONIST MISSIONARIES.

Passionist Missionaries Inc.
526 Monastery Place
Union City NJ 07087-3398
Tel: 888/806-6606
E-mail: DLisotta@cpprov.org

Donate on-line by clicking the button below.
The Donate Now button will redirect you to Caring Habits, Inc. (CHI) which is the credit card processing company for The Passionist Missionaries website.


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Healthcare From the Heart

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As a volunteer in rural, Jamaica, my time is mostly spent in a place called Mt. Friendship.  Just as the name reveals, I give myself to this community as a friend. I make home visits to the sick and shut-ins, as well as to many families.  I work in a school, where I try to tackle the issue of literacy and give my love to the children.  I offer what I can and receive joy and wisdom from the people I serve in Jamaica.

As a nurse, I have been able to help many of my friends here in Jamaica stay healthy. I have become a resource for information and help to many.  I have been a listening ear when things seem hopeless, and try my best to connect others with resources that are necessary for good health.  Walking the hills and dirt roads of rural Jamaica, with my blood pressure cuff on hand, has become a daily occurrence for me. I frequently hear voices say, “Miss, come take my pressure today!”  I look forward to my visits, where I can help others stay healthy and happy.

In March, a group of students from Elms College came to volunteer with us over their Spring break.  With their help and the help of my roommates, I was able to organize a health clinic in Mt. Friendship, where people could come to get their blood pressure and blood sugar tested, and see the doctor if needed. This clinic offered easy access to healthcare at no cost to the people.  Over 60 people in the community took advantage of this opportunity.  Because healthcare is not easily accessible or realistically affordable for those who live in Mt. Friendship or any other rural community throughout Jamaica, organizing clinics such as these are answered prayers for many people.

It has been so rewarding to help the people of my mission community with their health issues.  It is a way for me to show my love for the people I see each day.  To me, nursing is accompaniment.  We stand by the side of those suffering, become a voice for those who do not have one, and make sure people have the resources and ability to live a healthy life.  I hope that my time in Mt. Friendship will reflect one value I hold close to heart:  that God wants his people to care for one another.

Tracy Petersante is serving in Jamaica with Passionist Volunteers International.

Learn more about Passionist Volunteers International at: http://www.passionistvolunteers.org.

Learn more about the Passionists in Jamaica at: http://www.thepassionists.org/Jamaica.html and http://www.passionistsisters.org/CCM.html

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Ladies Home Journal Features a Story about Fr. Rick’s Work in Haiti

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Since meeting Fr. Rick through a friend two years ago, Golden Globe-nominated actress (A History of Violence, ER) Maria Bello has been going to Haiti to volunteer. When she heard about the earthquake she called him and asked,” What do you need me to do?”

He said, “If it moves you, please put on your work boots, grab a shovel, and come dig my people out.”

This month, Ladies Home Journal is featuring an article about her experiences there and about what she thinks American’s should know about Haiti.

Maria Bello urges us not to forget Haiti. She says, “Over the next few months we need to bring more medical aid to Haiti. If we don’t, hundreds of thousands could die from secondary infections. We need to push the U.S. government to continue to be a presence there. Just because the initial disaster is over doesn’t mean we can stop working for these resilient and kind people.”

Click here to read more about Maria Bello’s mission of hope: http://www.lhj.com/volunteering/maria-bellos-mission-of-hope/

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Doctors from St. Peter’s help Fr. Rick

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Today, our parish sent 8 doctors, 2 operating room registered nurses and an assistant for Rick’s St. Damien’s Hospital for children in Port-au-Prince. Dr.Greg Murphy organized the medical professionals. Six of whom are among our loyal parishioners. We are deeply touched by their generosity to our Passionist Mission. They are slated to be there for close to two weeks. They flew out of Greenville yesterday with all sorts of supplies. Fr. Rick said that these doctors, especially the surgeons, will be of great assistance to the suffering people there. Bishop Burbidge of Raleigh came at noon to commission them as Missionaries from our Passionist parish to the Passionist Mission in Haiti. We presented each one with a cross. Bishop spoke of what a great honor this was for the Church of Raleigh to have these men responding to the suffering Christ in Haiti. I ask you to pray for them and their safety and their families here.

Fr. Paul Wierichs and the Passionists at Our Lady of Florida hosted the doctors and medical team from St. Peter’s last night. They picked them up at the airport, gave them rooms for the evening then had breakfast with them and then drove them up to the airport in Port St. Lucy for the trip to Haiti.

Fr. Rick will meet them at the Port-au-Prince Airport today. I am so proud to be Pastor of such a loving parish.
In Christ,
Justin Kerber, C.P.