On Wednesday, June 24th, the city of Caracas, Venezuela, was devastated by two earthquakes following each other in under a minute. Our latest correspondence from Venezuela comes from Brother Deiby Fuenmayor MSC, who is working alongside Fr John Jennings MSC (originally from Cork), in the parish of Propatria, in Caracas. This is located on the outer regions of the area affected by last week’s earthquakes, and while the aftershocks are still being felt, the structural damage has not been as severe as it is in more central areas. In Propatria, Fr John, Br Deiby, and their parishioners are working to help those suffering in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, with extremely limited resources.
Fr John is working to provide spiritual support to the local community, while Br Deiby explains that he is “fully committed to coordinating the social area” as donations of food and clothing are distributed to families in urgent need. (Read Br Deiby’s full letter below.)
-
Emergency supplies for the people of Caracas
-
Emergency supplies for the people of Caracas
-
Emergency supplies for the people of Caracas
Irish Provincial Superior Fr Joe McGee MSC is keeping in close contact with our MSC brothers in Venezuela, as we monitor the situation and work on providing financial aid to assist with the immediate emergency response. “I have been to Propatria several times,” says Fr Joe, “and I know that the people there have very, very little. Now, we are seeing these people, who have so little, helping people who have less than nothing.”
“I am reminded of the story of the widow’s mite (Mark 12:41–44 and Luke 21:1–4), where a poor widow gave two small coins, all she had to live on, as an offering at the temple. To Jesus, her gift was greater than all the larger contributions, as it represented so much more than financial value, but real sacrifice and total, unreserved faith in the Lord’s love.”
-
Urgent response aid for the people of Caracas
-
Urgent response aid for the people of Caracas
-
Urgent response aid for the people of Caracas
“Here, the people of Propatria are doing all that they can to help others who have less than nothing. Our men on the ground are doing their best to help these people help their own people, and we are so very grateful for your invaluable support, prayers, and contributions. Thank you.”
-
Br Deiby Fuenmayor MSC
-
Fr John Jennings MSC
-
Irish Provincial Superior Fr Joe McGee MSC
Here, you can read Br Deiby’s full letter to Fr Joe, dated Monday, June 29th:
Dear Father Provincial,
Present.—
Receive a cordial greeting, trusting in the Lord that you are well.
The purpose of this letter is to inform you about the complex current situation we are experiencing in Venezuela, particularly in Caracas and La Guaira. We want to report that it has been a weekend of intense work. Our parish headquarters has become a collection center and, thanks to God and to the men and women of faith and goodwill who trust the parish and the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, we have received numerous donations. As you know, we do not have our own MSC resources, so all this work is being sustained thanks to the immense generosity of the people. Along with this letter, I will send you some images of what has been collected, although it is worth noting that a large part of these supplies has already been distributed to the different centers. Hand in hand with the laity of the Chevalier family, we are visiting different spaces where refugees are located, such as sports courts and public parks. Yesterday we managed to assist 117 families and 40 children, delivering medicines, diapers for adults and children, toys, candies, non-perishable food, and other basic necessities, providing them, above all, with our accompaniment and listening. For this afternoon, we have scheduled a visit to a place that shelters 500 people (including 100 adults and 180 children) to assess their urgent needs, listen to them, and see how we can continue to help. Thanks to the valuable support of the laity, we are carrying out this work. Father Juan Jennings is 100% dedicated to sacramental care, while myself, as a religious brother, am fully committed to coordinating the social area.
On the other hand, we inform you that the airport infrastructure is completely out of service due to severe damage, a situation that will remain until further notice. Both domestic and international commercial flights are suspended, which greatly hinders the transport of supplies and aid by air. Currently, the runway only operates for strictly humanitarian flights coordinated Page 1by the government with other countries. Added to this logistical situation is a strong structural alert, as frequent seismic movements are being registered in the area. Yesterday a 5.5 earthquake was felt, and this morning, at 7:00 a.m., another 5.1 magnitude one was registered. Due to this, at 8:00 a.m. today, we received a visit from two trusted bricklayers from the parish to assess the damage. They inspected the existing fissures and cracks in the areas you already know (the temple entrance, the sacristy, the oratory, the small hall, the multi-purpose hall, and the offices). Although initially these are small and shallow fissures and cracks, the specialists suggest and recommend taking action as soon as possible, since the continuity of the earthquakes could deepen the damage and generate a major structural problem.
With a view to coordinating the Church’s actions in the face of this panorama, tomorrow, Tuesday, we will attend a meeting called by the Archbishop of Caracas, which will include the participation of pastors, vicars, male and female religious, and brothers who provide service in the communities. The objective is to listen to the diocesan guidelines and together design strategies for the coming weeks and months. We are preparing well in advance for the imminent shortage and lack of supplies ahead, seeking the best ways to respond effectively to the needs of our people and our refugee brothers and sisters.
Despite the adversities and risks, we remain firm in the mission, trusting in providence and in the solidarity of our community. We thank you in advance for your constant guidance and your prayers for us, for our infrastructure, and for our people. We remain entirely at your disposal.
Cordially and fraternally in the Heart of Jesus,
HOLY CROSS PARISH / MISSIONARIES OF THE SACRED HEART
BR. DEIBY FUENMAYOR MSC
A prayer for Venezuela from Fr John Fitzgerald MSC:
