Following the January 13 letter from the Motherhouse, two letters have just been received regarding the two RSCJ who are based in Port-Au-Prince: Matilde Moreno and Josefa Corrada. One letter is from Sister Moreno herself, who is presently in Mexico at a conference; and one is from Natividad Hernandez, RSCJ, Provincial of Puerto Rico, and Josefina Ramos, RSCJ, also in Puerto Rico, with news from Josefa Corrada in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Following the January 13 letter from the Motherhouse, two letters have just been received regarding the two RSCJ who are based in Port-Au-Prince: Matilde Moreno and Josefa Corrada.

One letter is from Sister Moreno herself, who is presently in Mexico at a conference; and one is from Natividad Hernandez, RSCJ, Provincial of Puerto Rico, and Josefina Ramos, RSCJ, also in Puerto Rico, with news from Josefa Corrada in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

With thanks to the writers and to Carolyn Osiek, RSCJ, for the translation from Spanish - and profound gratitude for the well being of Sister Corrada and Sister Moreno.

From: Matilde Moreno
Date: 2010/1/14

Dear people who are interested in our situation,

The first thing I want to tell you is my joy that Josefa and I are alive. I have just learned that our house is demolished. A series of coincidences that we can call the hand of God who always protects us makes it possible that today I can write this letter. Normally at 5:00 in the evening, when the first tremors started, we would be at home, but that day, Josefa was at a meeting of religious in the Caribbean, and I, because I could not find a flight for today, had to leave the country one hour before the earthquake.

I am not thinking about what we have lost, but about the gift of life that has been given to us.

I got word of the earthquake through my friend Marta, a Claretian associate with whom I lived a year in Puerto Principe (2006-2007). She heard the news from the Claretians, whose house is across from ours, and like ours, destroyed. Her house is very damaged and they are living on the patio.

I am very aware of how difficult it is going to be to live there now, but at the same time I think this is the way offered to us to share the difficulties and struggle for life with this people whom we love and whom we want to continue serving.

Nothing more for now. I have my flight for the 23rd. I await the day impatiently. The truth is that I would like to be there with Josefa and to be helping in whatever way I can. I know that we can count on your help.

With much love,
Matilde

From Natividad Hernandez, Provincial of Puerto Rico, 1/15/10:

Josefa communicated with her sister Panchi, today, Thursday January 14 at 9:00 p.m. Puerto Rican time. She is fine. She is with the Sisters, Daughters of Jesus. They have food and drink but they sleep outside because the building is moving and they are afraid it will fall.

Our house in Puerto Principe is in very bad condition and unlivable. Josefa will go to live in Verrettes. Tomorrow she will go to find a place where she can be in contact with all of us.

Let us give thanks to God that the sisters were all away and that no one was in our house.

With much love,
Naty and Josefina 

See also yesterday's letter from Rome.

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