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June/July Birthdays LATEST NEWS This section highlights special events or comments relating to the
current weekend. In addition certain articles from previous weekends are left
standing since they may be of general interest to people for a while
CHECK OUT THE LATEST NEWS ON THE 'BUILD WITH US' CAMPAIGN 
DON'T MISS OUR MUSICAL CHAIRS JAZZ CAFÉ!!
The famous Jazz musician, Justin Binek is in Holland for two days for a European tour (see site www.justinbinek.com). On Wednesday 4th August he will give a Jazz Café evening at our church starting at 19.30. The revenue goes to new chairs for the parish hall. Entry is €10,-- per person and if you'd like to buy an old chair you can take it home for another €10,--. The music will be co-presented by Kyle Biebel and Michiel Kleykamp. 
CAR BOOT SALE : Sunday, 22nd August 2010
This will be held after Mass on that Sunday and, apart from using the car park, the lawn alongside the church can also be used for those who wish to participate by selling their wares without doing so from a car. If the weather is bad then everything could be moved into the church itself. The purpose of the sale is twofold: it is an opportunity for you to get rid of all your unwanted but still useful ‘stuff’ and then contribute part of your takings to the Build With Us fund at the end of the sale. This has to be a ‘win-win’ situation so please be as generous as possible! If you wish to participate please register at the Build With Us table.
• bringing their sales goods to the church on the day of the sale itself (not before) and for removing unsold items at the end of the sale; • providing sufficient small change, bags and boxes, and possibly newspaper to wrap sold articles. Do you have any questions? Please contact the Build With Us table. UPCOMING EVENTS * Sunday, 29th August: American BBQ After Mass * Friday, 17th September: Spanish Evening in the Parish House. * Friday, 15th October: Philippine Evening, also in the Parish House. Details of these events to follow. BOOKS There are still copies of Fr. Sjaak's book, 'The Power of No', available from the BWU Table. Price: €20 CAROL CONCERT DVDS Only a few DVDs of last year’s wonderful “Celebration of Christmas Music From Around The World” are still available. They are on sale at the Build With Us table at €10.- each. Sunday 1st August 2010 
CYCLING TO JERUSALEM FOR OUR DAY CHAPEL …..Emmanuelle started off on her journey to Jerusalem on Sunday 13th June. Below is an update on her travels/adventures. The difficult moments are actually getting going in the morning, packing the saddle bags and making sure not to leave anything behind. She has stayed in many different places and met many kind people. At the moment she is cycling though Italy. She says that the Italians are lovely but are confused about distance as they say that a place is only 15kms away when her subsequent experience is more like 150kms!! In the Italian tunnels which are unlit, with very uneven surfaces. She was really frightened by having to cycle in the middle of the motorway, balancing herself so that her bike would not fall into one of the many holes. Luckily two Dutch boys were also cycling her way and they teamed up as a threesome. Her friends say she sounds very happy and fulfilled and loves to be on her bike. At the moment the sponsorship amount is €4005. Emmanuelle hopes to raise €25000 for our new Day Chapel so there's a bit more to go!! If you would like an update on her progress then get in touch with Madeleine (e-mail), Carien Pot (e-mail) or Carol Wooley (e-mail) Could you find it in your heart to support her and her campaign? If so please make your donation by making a bank transfer to: Account number: 45.18.99.806 Account name: Church of Our Saviour (Capital Fund) IBAN number: NL91 ABNA0451899806 BIC number: ABNANL2A Bank name: ABN AMRO Bank Bank address: Wassenaarseweg 101, 2596 CM, The Hague, The Netherlands Please mention ‘GRACE’ in the description FAMILY OUTING BUS TRIP ON 15TH AUGUST 
Hop on to the Parish Bus for a fun afternoon for a good cause!!Event: In Fr. Sjaak's hometown Wervershoof, once every five years, there is a short liturgy in the tent of the dodgem cars at the annual Village Fair. This is to help a charity based on the UN Millennium Goals. This year we will melt a block of ice of one cubic metre and everyone can guess, by buying a lottery ticket for €5, how long it will take to melt. The winner will receive a prize of €500. The money raised by this initiative will be used for clean drinking water in Cape Town, South Africa. What to see? A beautiful village on the coast of the Ijsselmeer. The Village Fair with rides and activities for the whole family and, of course, the 'Dom of West Friesland', where Fr. Sjaak was ordained. Time and Price: The bus will leave on Sunday 15th August after Mass at 11.20 from the church and will return at 20.00. The price for the trip is €15 for children and €17.50 for adults. (You will also need to bring a packed lunch for the trip.) The price includes entry to the street reception where beer and soft drinks will be sold for only €1. Sign up lists are at the Welcome Table. Payment must be made when signing up and is non-refundable. To find out more about the day please visit the website: www.auxilia-brasili-ja.nl Sunday 18th July 2010 HISTORICAL MOMENT On the 7th July at 16.00 The Church of Our Saviour signed the building contract with the construction firm Waaijer and Project Management Bureau van Reisen. It was the biggest contract ever signed in the history of our parish. The financial commitment means that we'll have to sell the Parish House next year to pay off part of our debt. The Diocese of Rotterdam has guaranteed the loan and financial backup. From our parish Helena Schröder, our parish Council Chair, Jevon Mathew, Building Committee member, Neveen Hamdy, Parish Council Secretary and Fr. Sjaak, were present. The renovated Pastoral Centre will be ready for use just before Christmas 2010. Some minor work will still need to be done in the New Year. In 2011 we'll have a festive Grand Opening but first let's get through the dust and logistical challenge to continue the parish activities in the best possible way. I'd like to thank all those who, during the last four years, were involved in bringing the project to this stage. Especially Mallory Gracias and Jevon Mathew from our Building Team. Fr Sjaak
AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN 17TH/18TH JULY 
Our A.I. signature campaign is on behalf of Rizana Nafeek, a Sri Lankan domestic worker, who
was sentenced to death in 2007, in Saudi Arabia, for the alleged murder of her employer's baby.
Rizana was 17 at the time of the alleged crime. She had no access to lawyers either during
interrogation or at trial, and it is believed that she confessed to the murder during police
questioning but has since retracted her confession. Her case is still at appeal. We want to
petition His Majesty King Abdullah to commute this death sentence. Please sign a letter at the Amnesty tables or the
Welcome Table. Together we CAN make a difference!! You can
download the letter here if you wish to send it off personally.
Sunday 20th June 2010 FR. SJAAK IN RIO Fr. Sjaak will visit his former parish in Rio de Janeiro from 21st – 29th June. During the nine years he was there he initiated the building of the Diocesan Cathedral and became its Pastor. The church was completed two years after his return to the Netherlands. He will also visit the Vincentians who give a lot of assistance to the poor in the slums. Fr. Avin, the Students’ Chaplain, will celebrate the Masses on the weekend of 26th and 27th June. Please note there will not be a Parish House Mass on Friday 25th or Monday 28th June. SOUTH AFRICA CHARITY ‘BORREL’ AT SOCIETY DE WITTE On Friday 11th June, the day of the World Cup kickoff, a benefit was held for several hospitals in Capetown. The South African Counsellor was there as well as a good representation from our parish. This Charity event raised a little short of €20.000 for anti AIDS/HIV blood re-transfusion systems. Thanks to all who supported this worthwhile initiative. Fr Sjaak
Sunday 23rd May 2010 FAREWELL TO THE BUEHLER FAMILY AND PRE-REGISTRATION FOR R.E. Margaret and Chuck Buehler have done outstanding work in leading our Religious Education Programme. It will be difficult to fill the shoes of this efficient coordinating team. It would be a great help if parents, who would like their children in R.E. next pastoral year (starting in September), could pre-register before the Summer holidays. That reduces the amount of administration drastically at the beginning of the new year. And Chuck and Margaret... How can we ever thank you for doing such a WONDERFUL job?! Fr Sjaak
CONSTRUCTION HAS STARTED!! Or should we say Demolition!!! On Monday 3rd May the builders started breaking out walls and sanitary facilities on the top floor of the pastoral block. Lots of rubble is now stored in, what will become, the new Day Chapel. Work will intensify over the next months. As soon as renovation starts on the ground floor access to the Parish hall and the entire building attached to the church will be closed off. Until then we kindly ask our parents to help keep an eye on young children and make sure that they don’t open any doors. We don’t want accidents to happen or any of our young people hurt. Please use the bathrooms near the main entrance in the church. Thanks.  THIMUN YOUTH NETWORK (TYN)The THIMUN Youth Network for young people from 16-25 years of age, is holding a Summer Symposium in The Hague between July 6th and 10th 2010. Topics to be discussed are; How youth can participate in International Conferences, Education, Climate change, HIV/AIDS and Responsible manufacturing. The cost is €40 for five days or €8 for a single day. To apply please contact: www.thimunyouthnetwork.org. For more information: summersym@thimunyouthnetwork.org Sunday 16th May 2010 AMNESTY SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN
This month’s Amnesty International Signature Campaign is on behalf of Emadeddin Baghi, a human
rights activist and journalist who was arrested on 28th December 2009 following his broadcast
interview with Ayatollah Montazeri. He is presently being held in Evin Prison, Tehran and has
had no contact with his family, lawyer or doctor. Ill-treatment has left him with ongoing medical
problems. Amnesty considers Emadeddin Baghi to be a prisoner of conscience. Please sign the
letter at the A.I. tables or the Welcome Table. All signed letters will be sent to the office
of the Head of Judiciary in Iran. You can also DOWNLOAD A
HARD COPY OF THE LETTER HERE. Together we can make a difference. Thank You. LAST WEEK'S BOOK SALE Many thanks to the fine parishioners who helped make last weekend's booksale such a success, especially Beryl Pavey, Alison Wright, Josephine van Veen, Norah Moneypenny and Jan Andriessen. The funds raised (€1601.15) are already on the way to PREFER Rwanda and CCC de Guatemala - you can see details of the wonderful work they do on the Charities page of the Parish website. Anyone with books to dispose of is welcome to contact Andy the Bookman on 071 562 0636 or E-MAIL Sunday 9th May 2010 5TH EUROPEAN PASTORS' SYMPOSIUM From 2nd-5th May pastors from international parishes in European cities in cologne to share experiences and to visit the local Diocese. We all felt how good it was to strengthen our commitment to our people in these difficult times for the Church. All the attention in the media about child abuse cases helps to assist the victims and purify the Church but also has its impact on the image of "the priest". Before our next international meeting, which we hope to have in Paris, we'll meet with our colleagues on a national level for an exchange of views and pastoral experiences. Fr Sjaak
BUILDING WORK HAS STARTED!! At the moment the builders are working on 3 levels doing the attic, some meeting rooms and the new Day Chapel. Soon the access to the parish hall and annex building will be limited. Please do not enter other corridors than the one leading to the Parish Hall and use the bathrooms near the main entrance of the church. Thanks for your understanding SOME POSITIVE PRESS The following article appeared recently in the New York Times, written by Nicholas D. Kristof A CHURCH MARY CAN LOVE
I heard a joke the other day about a pious soul who dies, goes to heaven, and gains an audience with
the Virgin Mary. The visitor asks Mary why, for all her blessings, she always appears in paintings
as a bit sad, a bit wistful: Is everything O.K.? Mary assures her visitor: “Oh, everything’s great.
No Problems. It’s just ....it’s just that we always wanted a daughter.”That story comes to mind as the Vatican wrestles with the consequences of a patriarchal premodern mind-set: scandal, cover-up and the clumsiest self-defence since Watergate. That’s what happens with old boys’ clubs. It wasn’t inevitable that the Catholic Church would grow so addicted to male domination, celibacy and rigid hierarchies. Jesus himself focussed on the needy rather than dogma and went out of His way to engage women and treat them with respect. The first-century Church was inclusive and democratic, even including a pro-feminist wing and texts. The Gospel of Philip, a gnostic text from the third century, declares of Mary Magdalene: “She is the one the Saviour loved more than all the disciples.” Likewise, the Gospel of Mary (from the early second century) suggests that Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene to instruct the disciples on His religious teachings. St. Paul refers in Romans 16 to a first-century women named Junia as prominent among the early apostles and to a woman named Phoebe who served as a deacon. The Apostle Junia became a Christian before St. Paul did (chauvinist translators have sometimes rendered her name masculine, with no scholarly basis). Yet over the ensuing centuries, the Church reverted to strong patriarchal attitudes, while also becoming increasingly uncomfortable with sexuality. The shift may have come with the move from house churches, where women were naturally accepted, to more public gatherings. The upshot is that proto-feminist texts were not included when the Bible was compiled (and were mostly lost until modern times). Tertullian, an early Christian leader, denounced women as “the gateway to the devil.” while a contemporary account reports that the great Origen of Alexandria took his piety a step further and castrated himself. The Catholic Church still seems stuck today in that patriarchal rut. The same faith that was so pioneering that it had Junia as a female apostle way back in the first century can’t even have a woman as the lowliest parish priest. Female deacons, permitted for centuries, are banned today. That old boys’ club in the Vatican became as self-absorbed as other old boys’ clubs, like Lehman Brothers, with similar results. And that is the reason the Vatican is floundering today. But there’s more to the picture than that. In my travels around the world, I encounter two Catholic Churches. One is the rigid all-male Vatican hierarchy that seems out of touch when it bans condoms even among married couples where one partner is H.I.V. positive. To me at least, this church – obsessed with dogma and rules and distracted from social justice- is a modern echo of the Pharisees whom Jesus criticizes. Yet there’s another Catholic Church as well, one I admire intensely. This is the grass-roots Catholic Church that does far more good in the world than it ever gets credit for. This is the Church that supports extraordinary aid organisations like Catholic Relief Services or Caritas, saving lives every day, and that operates superb schools that provide needy children an escalator out of poverty. This is the Church of the nuns and priests in Congo, toiling in obscurity to feed and educate children. This is the Church of the Brazilian priest fighting AIDS who told me that if he were Pope he would build a condom factory in the Vatican to save lives. This is the Church of the Maryknoll Sisters in Central America and the Calrini Sisters in Africa. There’s a stereotype of nuns as stodgy Victorian traditionalists. I learned otherwise while hanging on for my life in a passenger seat as an American nun with a lead foot drove her jeep over ruts and through a creek in Swaziland to visit AIDS orphans. After a number of encounters like that, I’ve come to believe that the very coolest people in the world today may be nuns. So when you read about the scandals remember that the Vatican is not the same as the Catholic Church. Ordinary lepers, prostitutes and slum dwellers may never see a Cardinal, but they daily encounter a truly noble Catholic Church in the form of priests, nuns and lay workers toiling to make a difference. It’s high time for the Vatican to take inspiration from that sublime—even divine—side of the Catholic Church, from those church workers whose magnificence lies not in their vestments, but in their selflessness. They’re enough to make the Virgin Mary smile." Sunday 25th April 2010 EUROPEAN PASTORS' SYMPOSIUM The 5th symposium for pastors of English speaking parishes will be in Cologne from 2nd-5th May. Fr. Sjaak started this initiative and hosted colleagues in The Hague, Frankfurt, Vienna and Madrid in earlier years. This year we'll discuss the World Youth days, the current crisis in the Church and how difficult it is for various International parishes to find a suitable church building for their growing communities. On Tuesday the Diocese of Cologne will receive the group for a meeting on their Social Justice Programmes and a tour of the Dom and the Romanesque Basilica. Please Note: There will not be a Parish House Mass on Monday 3rd May. MICRO CREDIT: RESEARCH ON SENDING MONEY HOME FROM THE NETHERLANDS I am doing some research on the money transfer market in The Netherlands and Belgium for sending money to Africa, Asia and Latin America. The objective of the research is to find legitimate money transfer companies other than Western Union and Money Gram that people trust and use to send money home. The purpose is to offer these companies a wide distribution network in Africa, Asia and Latin America, and hopefully to increase competition and lower prices in the market. If you or your family and friends have information that you are willing to share, please contact me via e-mail (address) or phone (+31 6 25 08 02 16). Thank you for your help! Marie-Sophie Tar (member of the Justice and Peace and Microcredit Groups) Sunday 25th April 2010 THANK YOU ALL ....... AND ANOTHER BIG THANK YOU ALL! I had no idea so many people were working in secret to make my 50th Birthday into such a fantastic party. It was truly overwhelming to see so many people and such a variety of things. Thanks to everybody who helped in one way or another to make it such a great day! I’m sure that my six Godchildren also share my joy because the money donated was already enough to send two of them to Rio for the Carnival. We still have fifteen years to get the others on board!! But after several requests to join the trip in 2025(!) I must disappoint those waiting in line....seven Godchildren is the limit. It’s impossible for me to thank you all individually but I loved every part of the day. It showed the great atmosphere in our community and the many talents. To celebrate in the sun with so many people from around the world as one big family is a true blessing. Fr Sjaak
NEW PLACES FOR THE STATUES The Side Altar, which is currently used for the Tabernacle, was originally the Mary Altar. The large statue of Our Lady of Good Counsel, the Patron of our church building, was placed on a supporting stone over the Altar. A few years ago we placed the Tabernacle on this Altar as a result of the renovation of the Sanctuary. A few weeks ago the Tabernacle received a new red mantle to serve as a support for the Christ statue. This large and heavy statue was placed there a few days ago to emphasise that we are to become what we receive, the Body of the Risen Christ. This beautiful work of art used to be at the back of the church and was hardly noticed. We hope that its new place gives it added value. Also the large statue of Our Lady of Good Counsel and its solid pedestal received a new place. To give priority to Christ and not make the Tabernacle area too crowded She was placed against the pillar across from the Entrance Chapel. On entering the church candles can be lit around our Patroness. She leads those who enter to Her Son. The small Mary statue which used to be there will be placed in our new Day Chapel. The whole point of this operation is to establish the name of the Patron of our parish community 'Our Saviour' in a more prominent position and the Patron of the church building 'Our lady of Good Counsel' as a pointer to Christ.
Sunday 18th March 2010 FR. SJAAK’S ‘ABRAHAM’ BIRTHDAY PARTY AFTER MASS THIS SUNDAY 
Just a reminder that everyone is invited to celebrate Fr. Sjaak’s 50th Birthday at a party this
Sunday 18th April after Mass from 12.00-15.00. No presents please but Father Sjaak has set up a
special fund to take his Godchildren on a trip when he turns 65. Donations to this fund would be
a most welcome gift for this special birthday. A donation box will be provided on the day for this
purpose but of course you may also make a bank transfer to the parish account marked clearly as
Godchildren or leave money in the collection plate in an envelope marked Godchildren if you so
wish.
Sunday 11th April 2010 
20.000 EURO TO HAITI27th March a small delegation from our parish and the Brasili-Ja group went to Leuven (Belgium) to present the Sisters who work in Haiti with a gift of €20.000. This money was raised during Lent as an extra spontaneous gesture by our parishioners above the Lenten Campaign for the Farmers in Malawi. The Daughters of Mary (Better known as the Minor order of Paridaens Leuven) have worked with the people of Haiti for more than 100 years. During the devastating Earthquake they lost 15 out of 27 Sisters and another 3 are still severely wounded in hospital. Also many of their local staff did not survive the disaster. The convent, hospital and school are completely destroyed. Our gift from is just a small gesture to help them to heal and find the courage to move forward. Many thanks to everyone who contributed so generously to this campaign, especially our children who organised a bake & art sale. RECORD BREAKING EASTER Last Sunday we had the largest crowd ever for the Easter Mass. The ushers counted 1310 people. We had another 790 guests on Easter Monday from the Indonesian community. Together with the attendance of Palm Saturday/Sunday 1050, Holy Thursday 324, Good Friday 580 and Easter Saturday 226, this (*Not counting the Dutch Mass) means that Holy week was participated in our parish by around 4,280 people. To prepare the Liturgy and logistics for so many people required many volunteers. Without them it would not be possible to offer the same hospitality and quality. MANY THANKS TO ALL!! Fr Sjaak
Sunday 28th March 2010 THE HAITI MIRACLE The Sisters in Louvain nearly fainted when they were presented with the final result of the Haiti campaign. We were able to give them a cheque for €20.000!! This grand gesture of solidarity from our parish together with Brasili-Ja came as a true sign of Resurrection. The Port-au-Prince Community lost 15 out of 27 sisters, many staff members and their buildings. How does one pick up the courage to start again after that? Life giving gestures like this help! As well as our donation there was a pledge from a generous parishioner to help support the Sisters for the next five years. I thank you all for your amazing generosity and a big pat on the back to our children who made a total of €572 through a bake sale and selling handmade bookmarks. It equals nearly HALF A FOOD FAIR! I’m speechless Fr Sjaak
For more information on the work of the Sisters please visit the website:
www.fidema.miniemeninstituut.net
Sunday 21st March 2010 OUR LENTEN CAMPAIGN This year our Campaign is more about Awareness, rather than fund raising. As climate change is the motivation for the national campaign, in our parish we are focussing on ‘green’ issues and how we can achieve a more sustainable environment in our own parish, our homes and our workplaces “Every initiative that saves energy gives energy”. At Easter we hope that our 'Tree' will be have been transformed into a Tree of Life with lots of energy saved and received from our participation in the Lenten Campaign. PLEASE DO DOWNLOAD THE GREEN TEAM'S EXCELLENT INSERT THIS WEEKEND (THE LAST ONE FOR THIS CAMPAIGN) FOR MORE IDEAS AND INFORMATION. Click on the following links to see the earlier versions of the Green Team's flyers: General Introduction Water supplies Sustainable farming Sustainable fishing THANK YOU CARD FROM THE NATIONAL JUSTITIA ET PAX COORDINATOR “Dear Friends at the parish, Thank you for all your efforts and help on the preparation of last Sunday’s Mass and a very big thank you for your hospitality and kindness! Our African friends were very moved by the atmosphere in your church as were our friends from the JP Commissions. Well Done! Justice & Peace The Hague"
To all who were involved and participated in the Mass and reception I would also like to add my
thanks.
Fr Sjaak
Sunday 7th March 2010  
PONTIFICAL JUSTICE & PEACE MASS 14TH MARCHNational Justice & Peace Coordinators from 20 countries will participate in a special Mass in our church on Sunday 14th March. The main celebrants will be Archbishop John Onaiyekan from Nigeria and Archbishop Gérard Defois from France. Priests from various countries will concelebrate. The Festive Mass (4th Sunday of Lent Lataere) will have a flag parade and African music. After Mass all are invited to meet our guests during a reception. (Our African group is providing the main part of the catering but donations of simple finger foods (sandwiches for example) will be gratefully received) The Mass ends a European/African Conference organised by Cordaid and the papal organization of Justitia et Pax. Sunday 21st February 2010 PAPAL LENTEN MESSAGE The Message of His Holiness Benedict XVI for Lent 2010 has as its theme "The Justice of God has been manifested through faith in Jesus Christ." (cf Rm 3,21-22) You can DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THAT MESSAGE HERE Sunday 7 February 2010 IN MEMORIAM EMMA DE BOER-KRAAKMAN, 74 
Last Sunday at 13.00 my youngest brother phoned me to say he had found Mam peacefully dead in her
bed. She must have died on Saturday. She was a very strong lady in a weak body. With lots of positive
energy and a joyful faith she was able to uplift many people. Even though she hardly ever travelled
herself, she received visitors from all over the world in her small hospitable home. During the wake
last Tuesday someone said "I offer you my condolences as well as congratulations for such a mother".
My brothers and I feel truly blessed for her life and the way she died. I felt deeply moved and
supported by the outpouring of all the gestures of sympathy. A large delegation from our parish
came to her funeral last Wednesday. I can't tell you how much that meant to me! Because Mam knew
the Sisters from Leuven in Belgium very well we dedicated the money we received instead of flowers,
and the collection, to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake through the work of the Sisters.
VALENTINE'S DAY 2010 The Love Feast in honour of St. Valentine falls on a Sunday this year. A really nice opportunity for renewing your wedding vows. Couples who wish to do this will be invited during Mass. Sunday 31st January 2010 KERKBALANS - THE LIVING CHURCH CAMPAIGN The weekend of 30/31 January will see the annual fund raising drive for the pastoral work of our church. READ MORE ABOUT THIS ACTION HERE. Our Treasurer has produced an end of year report. YOU CAN DOWNLOAD THE END OF YEAR FINANCIAL STATEMENT HERE and to see what the particular project is this year where the money collected will be directed PLEASE CLICK HERE (and I'm sorry about the wierd colour!) Sunday 24th January 2010 
HAITIAN DISASTER
Here is a letter from the Miniemen Sisters from Leuven Belgium. The sisters have worked in Haiti for many years. The superior of the house Sr. Pia has been a very good friend to me for more than 20 years. The sisters have been hard hit by the earthquake in Haiti. Here is her first reaction to my mail asking how they were coping On Thursday 21st January Sr. Pia mailed me to say that 15 of the Sisters died in the earthquake. "Thank you Father Sjaak for your empathy. The sisters in Port-au-Prince have been hit badly. Total destruction! The main convent "Bel-Air" has been raised to the ground, the adjacent school buildings now inaccessible. Schools at three other locations in the city have been completely destroyed. Fortunately, the children had already left for the day. We don’t know yet however if they are still alive. The total chaos caused by the earthquake is indescribable. The collapsed "Bel-Air" convent housed a community of 27 sisters. There were often more passing through en route or visiting from the provinces. The Regional Superior died of her injuries on the first day. Twelve other sisters have been injured, some of them severely. The Superior General, who was in the Dominican Republic at the time, has managed to arrange for the wounded sisters to be transferred from the Haiti hospitals, or makeshift field hospitals as they are in the current situation, to a large and well-equipped hospital in the Dominican Republic. The President of the Dominican Republic has visited the sisters in the hospital and confirmed that they will not be charged anything for their care. Several sisters are still buried under the buildings. One of them, an old Provincial Superior was pulled from the rubble, dead. The death toll is expected to be very high! The rescue workers trying to pull bodies out from the rubble were hindered in their work and the Superior General had to bring in soldiers to accompany and protect the rescue workers. Communication with the sisters in the country is impossible. Fortunately I am able to reach the Superior General in the Dominican Republic by telephone. The sisters have lost everything. There have already been various after shocks (4.6 and even 5 on the Richter scale). The sisters who are still in Elie Dubois (another community in the capital) are afraid to sleep in their building, which is still intact. They are sleeping outside. The same goes for Pétionville, which is about ten kilometres from the capital. There too the sisters are sleeping outside. The Cathedral is totally destroyed, the chapel of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour idem ditto. Many schools and universities, the seminary and many seminarians with it have gone. Armed looters steal anything and everything; even the sisters' clothes hanging in the laundry (which is still standing). Even if the sisters recover physically, what psychological damage will remain after such an apocalyptic trauma? There are no words to describe what has happened to us. After almost 100 years of being in the country (in October 2013 we would have celebrated our 100th anniversary in Haiti) much of the laboriously built up support of the population was destroyed in less than a minute. The church in Haïti has also been hit badly. Most of the churches have been obliterated. But even worse: the Archbishop, Monseigneur Miot, did not survive the earthquake. Many seminarians were killed when the seminary collapsed. Many religious orders suffer similar losses. The whole thing is so incredible and searching for meaning is pointless! Slowly but surely rays of hope will show us the way. Dear Sjaak, as soon as it becomes clear where the most urgent needs lie, I will let you know. In the meantime, thank you for the help offered, in whatever form. Thanks also for your prayers and for your caring empathy." Sr Pia Sunday 6th December 2009  ADVENT CAMPAIGN SOLIDARIDAD 2009 ‘FAIR COCOA’ During the holidays chocolate is one of our favourite foods. For the farmers who produce this it has a very different taste. Solidaridad helps cocoa farmers in the Ivory Coast, Peru and Ghana as follows:
Sunday 29th November 2009 SPECIAL VISITOR THIS WEEKEND FOR WORLD AIDS DAY We are honoured to have Moira Boshoff from Port Elizabeth (South Africa) among us this Sunday. She is visiting The Netherlands on the invitation of Cordaid to receive a Cordaid award. In total, more then 200 nominations were received from over 30 countries from around the world for the categories organisation and individual. 180 nominations were reviewed twice by 5 organisations (Round 1 and 2), to come up with a shortlist of 12 finalists (7 organisations and 5 individuals). The shortlist was reviewed by a review panel composed of 10 international organisations. The expertise these organisations have around Home Based Care (HBC) issues has ensured a high quality selection process. More information on the website http://www.cordaidpartners.com/rooms/hiv-and-aids-award-2009 The handing out of the prize (€5.000) will take place be in Amsterdam on World Aids Day (1 December 2009). Sunday 18th October 2009
Sunday 11th October 2009 A NEW SAINT FROM BELGIUM AND HAWAII This Sunday Joseph De Veuster, born in Tremeloo Belgium in 1840, will be canonised. In a recent poll he was elected the greatest Belgian of all time. Fr. Damian, as Joseph was called after his ordination, spent his missionary life among the lepers in Molokai Colony, Kalaupapa. For twelve years, before he succumbed to Hansen’s Disease at the age of 49, his presence among the lepers focused the State’s attention on the needs of these victims and helped to combat discrimination of the handicapped. In 1995 his remains were taken from Molokai and placed in a tomb in Leuven, Belgium. This Sunday Pope Benedict will add Saint Damian to the long list of role models from the Catholic Church. Sunday 4th October 2009 BRASILI-JA DONATIONS Twenty three years ago at Fr. Sjaak’s ordination, the Mayor of his hometown started a support group to help with projects in Brazil. After Father’s return from Brazil this group was renamed Brasili-Ja/Auxilia. The Foundation has helped many projects around the world including our FOOD FAIR projects. Recently assistance has been given of €3000 to the Mill Hill Fathers, €3000 to the Vincentians for Food Pantries, €5000 to a project in Columbia. €1000 to our former Justice & Peace member Alphonse Mulefu in Rwanda, and €2000 to a Nairobi slum project. Last Sunday’s visit to Brugges by Fr. Sjaak raised €2000 for a water project in Sierra Leone. For more information please visit the website: www.auxilia-brasili-ja.nl WORK IN AND AROUND THE CHURCH IN OCTOBER As you probably noticed, a lot of painting work is being done on the outside but that is not the only thing. For October the following maintenance and building jobs are planned.
Sunday 29th March 2009 THE LENTEN HUNGER BANNER In the church above the Tabernacle can be seen the ‘Hunger Banner’ Lenten Tapestry. It was made by Tony E. Nwachukwu. Each year the Lenten Campaign invites an artist from the third world to give his or her view on the journey towards Easter.  
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2002 © ESIRC - English Speaking International Roman
Catholic Parish of The Hague
Parish House - Ruychrocklaan 126 - 2597 ES Den Haag Tel. 070 - 328 0816 |
Fair Trade products are often produced with environmental sustainability in mind – many fair
trade coffee brands, for example, offer organic and shade grown varieties, thereby reducing
dangerous chemical use and deforestation threats. Fair Trade certification guarantees that
farmers use eco-friendly practices.
We are very proud to present Valentino Achok Deng in our Speaker's
programme after Mass. His life in the midst of conflict in Sudan was recorded by Dave Eggers in
a novel entitled 'What is the What?' This novel has been highly acclaimed: 'The emotional power
of an epic. An eloquent testimony to the power of storytelling; this is an extraordinary work of
witness, and of art' (Scotsman) 'A masterpiece, monumental ...... one hell of a fine
accomplishment. An intimate epic, a sweeping journey, a reading experience from which the
booklover emerges as a changed person. A work of deep psychological trauma and impossible,
marvellous triumph.' (Sunday Herald). So come and join us in the Scouts room after Mass to
listen to this remarkable story.