-------- Original Message --------
Subject: CMSM: Haiti - Updates on Redemptorists and Other Religious
Date: Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:39:40 -0500
From: Edwin Obermiller <Edwin.H.Obermiller.2@nd.edu>
To: mmcnulty@cmsm.org <mmcnulty@cmsm.org> 
 
Please correct the information you have on the CMSM post, Haiti  Updates. One Holy Cross seminarian was killed in the earthquake.  Also, please note: Fr. Andre is not a priest of Holy Cross, but a Brother.  Attached is the press release.
 
Any help you may need please do not hesitate to contact me.
 
Sincerely,

Fr. Obermiller

Congregation of Holy Cross
Education · Parish · Mission

January 17, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Rev. Edwin H. Obermiller, CSC
Assistant Provincial, Indiana Province
Notre Dame, Indiana, USA
574-631-1018
obermiller.2@nd.edu

Congregation of Holy Cross Grieves the Death of a Holy Cross Seminarian and Assesses Status of Ministries in Haiti; offers prayers and support for those personally touched by the tragedy

Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Haiti has had a ripple effect on communities across the globe, including the Congregation of Holy Cross. There is a large number of religious priests, sisters, and brothers residing and ministering in the country.

This past Wednesday in a statement from Rome, Italy; Rev. Hugh W. Cleary, CSC, Superior General of the Congregation of Holy Cross, encouraged Holy Cross Religious throughout the world... "Let us pray that the people of Haiti not lose hope; may they know the comfort of our solidarity with them and the peace of God deep within to give them the strength and courage to go on. May Our Lady of Perpetual Help, patroness of Haiti, be their refuge."

Provincial Superior Rev. Michel Eugene, CSC, of the Haiti Province reported early Friday morning that massive damage has destroyed the Congregation's school, Ensemble Scolaire Basile Moreau, and provincial house in Haiti. Several hundred students in both grade school and high school attend Ensemble Scolaire Basile Moreau, which opened in 1989 to serve the poor in Port-au-Prince. One member of the Holy Cross Order, a seminarian who recently took his vows, has been confirmed dead. The young religious was taking a course at Quiqueya University, which did not survive the quake.

"The Congregation of Holy Cross has served with the people of Haiti for many years and our commitment to our ministries must remain steadfast during this time of grave crisis," said Rev. David T. Tyson, CSC, Provincial Superior of the Indiana Province. "We know that communities there will need aid and assistance to recover from this tragedy for many months and years to come. We pray in a special way for those members of the Holy Cross community -- including students, faculty, staff and parishioners -- who have been personally touched by this tragedy."

The Congregation of Holy Cross has been serving the poor in Haiti for more than 60 years. Holy Cross missionaries from Canada first came to Haiti in 1944 to direct an existing secondary school in Cap Haitien. That initial mission, now called College Notre-Dame, sparked the establishment of other Holy Cross educational, social, and parochial ministries throughout Haiti, now organized as the Province of Notre-Dame du Perpetual Secours, with 70 religious members, including two Holy Cross bishops.

Connections to the tragedy can be felt at Holy Cross schools, parishes and missions around the world.

Rev. Tom Streit, CSC, program director and assistant professor of biological sciences at the University of Notre Dame, has been serving in Haiti for many years and was present during the earthquake. He is in the process of returning to the United States with other University of Notre Dame students, faculty and staff known to be serving in Haiti. (Learn more here: http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/14378)

The University of Portland community held a memorial Mass on Saturday, January 16, for alumnae Molly Hightower, who was in Haiti working with disabled children for "Friends of the Orphans" and did not survive the earthquake. (Learn more here: www.up.edu/shownews.aspx?id=3936)

Haitian priest Rev. Stevenson François, CSC, left Haiti three weeks ago to study at Stonehill College and is grappling with the tragedy. (Learn more here: www.stonehill.edu/x19615.xml)

What is most important right now is our prayers and our compassion for all who are suffering. Our prayer is our greatest assistance; our prayer will motivate us to help the victims of the earthquake as best we are able.

The Indiana Province of the Congregation of Holy Cross is collecting funds to assist the people of Haiti. 100% of all monies collected will go directly to relief efforts in Haiti. To make a gift or for further information please contact the Holy Cross Mission Center phone: (574) 631-5477, e-mail: hcmc@nd.edu, web: www.nd.edu/~hcmc/ , mail: P.O. Box 543, Notre Dame, IN 46556.