Annunciation Of The Lord Parish

Seventeen parishioners at Annunciation of the Lord Parish recently returned from a five-day mission trip to Haiti, under the director of their pastor, Father Alex Zenthoefer, and their associate pastor, Father Christopher Droste.

The Evansville parish has been connected to St. Suzanne’s Parish in Haiti for years. Diane Dewig, a staff member at the parish and a member of the group, said the visit to the country of Haiti was a first for everyone. “We went to meet the people and see what our money was being used for. We wanted to see what their needs might be in the future.

“It was an amazing experience — seeing the joy they have with very little. They all seemed happy with the little they have.”

She said the group attended a two-and-a-half hour Mass at St. Suzanne’s. “The kids were all so good,” she marveled. Then the Evansville group headed to the community of Sarazin where a new chapel is being built. “There is no [set] time for the Mass there. It’s whenever Father can get there.”

The new chapel will be named Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, in honor of the Evansville parish.

SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/paulleingang/Desktop/WEBSITE 07-31-15/p16-HAITI-LETTER.doc

Pastor writes about visit to Haiti

The following letter was written by Father Alex Zenthoefer, the pastor at Annunciation of the Lord Parish in Evansville.

It appeared in the July 26 parish bulletin.

Dear Parishioners,

It is impossible for me to capture in words the experience of traveling to Haiti with 16 other missionaries from our parish. So forgive this somewhat incohesive attempt to summarize what happened. After traveling to the four chapels in the outlying areas that are part of St. Suzanne, visiting the sick and bringing them food and supplies from the parish, and listening to the incredibly powerful music at the Sunday liturgy, I am more aware than ever of what it means to belong to the Body of Christ. What I saw in the eyes of the poor on the street was the same thing I see in our eyes: a desire to be loved, to be wanted and to belong.

It was a rather jarring experience and even now I find myself reeling from our five days there. It is impossible to imagine the abject poverty found in Haiti. Many go hungry, few have housing that we would even begin to consider humane and there is little to no medical assistance that is accessible. And yet in the face of all this, they are joyful people: a joy that is particularly visible on the faces of children. Where we might find ourselves complaining, they take the circumstances they are given in stride and recognize that there is something greater to live for than accumulating things or trying to impress others.

I think of the group of parishioners from St. Suzanne who take food and supplies to the homebound. We walked with them one day (a walk that stretched for about five miles through hills and heavily wooded areas) and visited those who were unable to get out of their homes. They greeted everyone we visited with joy and gave them a reason to hope. I think of the doctor at the clinic who spends his life caring for the sick of the community, not as a job, but, as he said, “Because of love.” I think of the teachers at the various schools we visited that are run by the parish who give of themselves so selflessly.

It is becoming more clear to me: I want what they have. I want their simplicity. I want their ability to stay focused on what is most valuable in life. I want their willingness to sacrifice for each other. I want their hope and their joy even in the face of affliction.

I am grateful that the people of Haiti have reminded me of what I really need and really desire: to belong to Christ and to see His face in the faces of the people around me.

Fr. Alex