News & Updates
Father Rick Frechette, C.P. Speaks at OLP on His Ministry in Haiti
Read about the talk that Father Rick Frechette, a Passionist priest, gave to the IHM Sisters gathered in the Our Lady of Peace Chapel.
On December 27, Father Rick Frechette, a Passionist priest, spoke to the IHM Sisters gathered in the Our Lady of Peace Chapel. Given his ministry in Haiti and the IHM connections to Haiti through our Foundress, Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin’s mother – a Haitian slave; all 3 IHM Congregations “Twin” to support the work of the Little Sisters of St. Therese who minister in Haiti. Our Sisters Eileen Coleman and Susan Hadzima who have visited the Little Sisters in Haiti many times were present for Father’s talk.
In Haiti, there’s a great deal of violence because of various gangs (sadly equipped with weapons that come from the U.S.) In recent years, one of the Sisters of St. Therese was kidnapped and traumatized. It was Father Frechette that helped negotiate the ransom for her release. Sadly, he wasn’t able to negotiate the return of the bodies of two Little Sisters murdered there recently.
Much of the work Father Frechette does he pays for – both by his visits to the U.S. in Dec. – esp. to his Passionist Retreat Centers and Monasteries, and now, gratefully, here at OLP. A doctor himself, he also created The Luke Foundation and applied to the Opus Foundation and received a million dollars! He’s used this money to build a hospital, orphanages and to provide medical treatments especially through the services of Doctors Without Borders on their medical ships.
But, most of all, Father Frechette is the living embodiment of courage. Haiti is considered one of the poorest countries in the world. He travels throughout the gang-filled country side providing medications, vaccinations and other treatments. Just as the Haitian gangs are considered the dark side of violence, Father Frechette has his own “White Knight” followers that provide him support. He confronts the gang leaders, facilitates ransom and knows how to monitor their travels. And, the gang members also bring gang members to his hospital for help!
Though courageous, he speaks in a gentle but firm voice. He’ll pose for as many pictures as you ask for with a kind smile.
He was accompanied by two Haitian friends who were able to immigrate to the U.S. and a representative from Doctors without Borders, as well as a local doctor, Peter Cognetti, who also works with Doctors without Borders.
The Sisters put out a collection basket for Father’s ministry. So far $2,000 have been raised… and, if you want to donate, you can make checks out to The Sisters of IHM noting on the memo line “Ministry of Father Rick Frechette, C.P. in Haiti.” Address your donation to Sister Katie Clauss, IHM, IHM Center, 2300 Adams Ave. Scranton, PA 18509. If you are local, you can hand deliver donations, cash or check, to the IHM Center.
