Hello Dear Friends,
“These words are from an Italian song, it means more or less: Now I am holding the one who cannot feel me hold her.”
These words are strong for me now that my mother has died.
Hearing desperation in my fathers voice yesterday on the phone that my mother needed me in order to die in peace,
I drove all night last night from Haiti to the Dominican Republic arriving there today at 5 AM thanks to Kieran and his team, and thanks to Vern and Mary Sue Conaway I flew to Connecticut, arriving at 1 PM today.
All six of us children, together with my father sat at my mother’s bed and talked and shared stories about life and death.
She was already far away, but listening I am sure.
We then we had the mass together at the bed-side and during the very consecration my mother died, surrounded by all of us when I said, “This is my body, given up for you.”
I thank all of you who have shared the last eight months with us. I thank you for your solidarity and prayers.
I had thought I had lost my chance to be with mom at the holy moment of death after spending days burying so many victims of the earthquake in Haiti since January 13th and caring for the desperately wounded.
Join me in thanking God for my mom’s life and death. I thank you for all your concern and prayers for the tragedy in Haiti we are doing our best to face.
After my mothers funeral on Thursday, I will be ready to rejoin forces with all those doing our strong work in Haiti to continue help relieve the suffering there.
May God bless you,
Fr Rick Frechette
Fr. Rick, we are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you always, but especially at this time. May the love and peace of Christ be with you and your whole family. You are such and inspiration. God bless you.
The Malek and Flores Families
Mom took care of you
Then you took care of mom
Now it is Mom’s turn again and she is in the best place to watch over you again
Unceasing prayers for you and yours — and “yours” are so many!
God will give you strength! I’m thankful that your mom was blessed
to have all of you with her – as she so selflessly sent you from her side back to Haiti.
Dear Fr Rick,
I’m so very sorry to hear about your mom’s dying, but so happy that you were able to come back home to be with her and your family. Please know that you will all be in my prayers.
I’ve been glued to CNN ever since the earthquake and I’m so in awe of all the volunteers that are trying to help. They are also in my thoughts and prayers.
Love and prayers,
Lynne
Father Rick,
Meg and I have been praying for you since the earthquake. We will both be in PAP in a week, working with World Hope in Citi Soliel. Deepest condolences for your loss. You have been an inspiration to me and so many others for many years. But infinitely more important, you have been doing the work of God in Haiti.
Thank you Fr Rick
Father RIck,
Just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We have been so blessed to have also crossed paths with Vern & Mary Sue Conaway. I know that you feel so blessed to have them close to you also. What wonderful people they are and know that they feel so blessed to have you in their lives. Know that we will continue to pray for you and your mission with the wonderful of Haiti.
The Charmo Family from Hamilton, VA
Father Rick,
We are so sorry to hear a great loss of your mom. We have been prayed for your mom and your important work for the victims of the earthquake at Haiti. As you said, Mom were with you all the time in your ministering to those in need of urgent help. Fr Denis and Paul Matsumoto and I at Ikeda Parish and Passionists Brethren in Japan pray for you for much blessings and empowerments by the Holy Spirit. Paul Hata, CP
Father Rick in a world of fake and phony, you are as real as real can ever be. In the future when I feel down, lost, sad I will trry to think of your mother and, especially of you. I would be very touched if you remember me. But the important thing is I remember you. God help you and Haiti.
Dearest Fr. Rick,
I doubt that anyone that has ever met you could ever forget you. It brings me great joy that you could be there with your mom at the hour of her death. I know she will cradle you in her arms from heaven along with all the others that you have touched over the years. Our prayers are with you always. Stay healthy and safe so you can continue the wonderful things you do for God’s children in Haiti.
Rick,
your Mom and the family have been in my heart and prayers
daily….your community backs you 100% and we believe
fully in all you are doing and leading in Haiti.
somehow, someway, I believe good will happen
to your Mission in Haiti in the future….and you will
have the strength to go on in love.
prayers and blessings,
fr jim barry cp, chicago