In our lifetimes, most of us probably won’t witness a tragedy of such horror as the earthquake that shook Haiti this month. Yet the disaster is certainly bringing out the best in people who can only wonder what life in Haiti is like right now.

That includes Maryknoll Sisters who are soliciting donations at their local department store, raising money in special church collections, and exploring ways they can get on the next plane to Haiti.

“Several Maryknoll Sisters have expressed an interest and willingness to volunteer in Haiti,” said Sister Janice McLaughlin, our president. She said that’s admirable, considering the logistical challenges in Haiti.

“We have also encouraged those interested to do their own research into volunteer possibilities,” said Sister Janice.

This Haitian father watched his own daughter perish in the earthquake.

“It was a cold and rainy Sunday, but four people volunteered,” said Sister Rebecca.  “Peggy and I were happy to be there, and as uncomfortable as we were sitting in the cold, we were thinking of the Haitians and all that they were going through.”

Sister Peggy, a trained nurse who once worked in a Cambodian refugee camp, and Sister Rebecca, who serves with North Carolina schoolchildren, are volunteers with the Henderson County chapter of the American Red Cross. They can be sent to danger zones at a moment’s notice.

Haiti is a danger zone right now. Earthquake aftershocks continue to wrack the country. Relief aid is needed more than ever as the demands for food, water and medical supplies multiply.

At our mission center in New York, the first week of February will be dedicated to mission relief for the people of Haiti. Maryknoll Sisters will drop what cash they have into boxes labeled “CRS Haiti.” Donations collected will be sent to Catholic Relief Services.

You can join us by donating on our website, where all gifts will be sent to CRS.

As for Sister Rebecca and Peggy’s collection drive for the Red Cross at their local department store, it was worth the effort. “Many people thanked us for collecting money for Haiti while some apologized for giving so little,” Sister Rebecca said.

When each “little” donation was totaled at the end of that rainy day in Hendersonville, people had raised more than $500.