From Tralee man Fr. Derry Healy
Dear Friends,
It is five days since the earthquake and tsunami that has claimed the lives of more than 800 people with hundreds still not accounted for and more than 2,000 homeless. Some 700 churches and chapels have been destroyed in the five dioceses that make up the most affected regions. While we as Columbans do not have any parish commitments in the most affected areas, we do however have many contacts and frequent pastoral involvement. I personally have been going to Concepcion one a month for meetings. Some of our lay missionaries, Pilar Vasquez, our priests, Alvaro Martinez, our seminarians, Rafael Ramirez, members of JUCOMI (Chilean Columban Youth) Alejandro, all have family in the most affected regions. All of us have been affected by this natural disaster and each one has his or her story to tell. For many days to come, people will ask, where were you for the earthquake? It is still the basic topic of conversation as if nothing else matters. One young university student said this evening, “once I discovered that my family was safe and our house was still standing, I just knelt down and thanked God and then headed off to help those who were still on their knees under the weight of the cross that they were made bear”.
Fr. Derry Healy
CLICK HERE to link to Fr. Derry Healy Letter from Chile 5th March
CLICK HERE to link to CHILE: Second Update from Santiago since
the Massive Earthquake and Tsunami
By Fr Dan Harding SSC